Join Our Team! Searching for a Broadband Writer and Editor

Ready to see your name in lights? (Okay, okay, just 12 point font.)

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance is seeking a Broadband Writer and Editor to join the Institute’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Community Broadband Networks team works to ensure all Americans have fast, affordable, and reliable Internet access by researching, reporting, and advising on issues such as community-owned broadband, network neutrality, and universal access. The new Broadband Writer and Editor will manage our site, MuniNetworks.org, and work closely with rest of our small but dedicated team.

View the listing on ILSR.org or below.

Responsibilities:

• Managing MuniNetworks.org (this site!), a clearinghouse of the latest news, comprehensive reports, and statistics about community broadband networks. This includes researching, interviewing people over the phone, and authoring articles as well as managing posts, podcasts, and research material created by the team (65%)
• Managing our archive of materials about municipal networks, cooperative networks, and other approaches in the broadband area (10%)

  Monitoring an overwhelming number of Google alerts and other streams of information to keep track of local developments around community networks (15%)

• Working with the team to develop and review research projects and creative efforts to share our work. (10%)

A Successful Candidate Is:

• An exceptionally good writer with the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and compelling way. Able to write quickly when needed.
• Attentive to accuracy, detail, and nuance.
• A strong analytical thinker who can identify the pivotal questions and gaps in a piece.
• Possesses a genuine enjoyment of collaboration with a willingness to give and receive honest feedback. Skilled at helping team members improve the articles they contribute.
• Passionate about ILSR’s mission of countering corporate monopolies and building community power.
• Enthusiastic about puns, alliteration, or some other means of playing with words.
• Interested in helping to produce and potentially edit podcasts.

Preferred Qualifications:

• More than 3 years of experience in journalism or writing and editing — ideally on broadband policy, tech, or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of public policy processes and/or a strong telecom background.
• A bachelor’s degree.

Location and Compensation:

• Position is full-time and based in Minneapolis.
• 100 percent employer-paid health plan, generous vacation and holiday leave, and retirement contribution matching.
• Salary is commensurate with experience, expected at $43,000-$50,000.

How to Apply:

Please send the following to Hiring@ILSR.org with the subject line “Broadband Editor”:

• Your résumé.
• A cover letter addressed to Christopher Mitchell, no longer than 400 words — please specify where you found the position .
• Two writing samples reflecting your original work, no longer than 1,000 words each (excerpts of longer pieces are welcome).

Applications will be accepted at least through March 25 and on a rolling basis after that date until the position is filled.

About Us:

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance is a 45-year-old research and advocacy organization that challenges extreme corporate concentration and builds local power through initiatives that focus on local businesses, energy, broadband, and the waste stream. We use in-depth research, reporting, and data analysis to produce influential reports and articles. Our analysis is frequently featured in national news media and sought out by policymakers. We work closely with a broad range of allies to move these ideas and policies.

The Community Broadband Networks Initiative at the Institute runs MuniNetworks.org — an information hub on cooperative and municipal Internet infrastructure. We create fact sheets, reports, videos, podcasts, and the occasional comic to educate the media and policymakers on broadband policy. We also advise communities on how to improve Internet access for businesses and residents.

Our staff are passionate, hard-working, and friendly. The office environment is relaxed and casual. ILSR takes professional growth seriously.

Applications are welcome from a broad range of applicants. ILSR is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. ILSR is committed to providing employees with a welcoming work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are made without regard to age, race, color, religion or belief, gender identification, family or parental status.