Partnerships Editor

Location: Paonia, Colorado
Job Category: Newspapers,Online | New Media,Magazines
Job ID: 11647
Employment Type: Full time
Salary: per year
Posted: 03.25.2026

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Occupations:

Job Description:

High Country News is hiring a Partnerships Editor to oversee and expand our collaborations with other media outlets, including the newly formed Western Environmental Reporting Collaborative. This is a new role with big potential to grow the reach and impact of our award-winning nonprofit media organization. The person in this position will help recruit and retain partner newsrooms, plan coverage and support and edit the work of journalists as part of HCN’s efforts to draw a broader, more diverse public into the vital conversations about the land and water, climate and conservation, and diverse human and natural communities of the Western United States.
 
The Partnerships Editor is a key member of HCN’s Editorial department who will coordinate and manage the work of writers embedded in other newsrooms through the Western Environmental Reporting Collaborative, helping them to deliver smart and engaging short-form news and analysis in service to the region’s diverse communities. This position works closely with senior editorial staff, collaborates across the editorial department, and coordinates with partner newsroom editors and writers.
 
The ideal candidate has proven experience assigning and editing news for digital audiences; leading cross-functional projects, including defining roles and requirements; partnering with news and industry organizations; deep knowledge of the Western United States and commitment to thoughtful, community-based journalism that inspires reader engagement and action; and experience advancing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in their work.
 
Duties/Outcomes
The Partnerships Editor will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Editor. Example of duties include:
 

• Establish and manage both long- and short-term collaborative partnerships, including the newly formed Western Environmental Reporting Collaborative (WERC).
• Foster relationships with leaders at local and statewide news organizations across 12 Western states.
• Develop and oversee special partnership initiatives to identify and meet critical reader needs and generate timely, distinctive, high-impact coverage.
• Manage reporter workloads and workflows across partner newsrooms. 
• Coordinate with other editors to identify gaps in coverage and fill these with regional stories grounded in communities. 
• Collaboratively assign and edit stories for publication in various mediums at High Country News.
• Consider pitches, acquire/assign and edit, or oversee the editing of ~5 web-first, news stories monthly, primarily from partner newsroom reporters.
• Serve as a key editor for content that is co-reported and/or co-published with HCN’s partner publishers.
• Facilitate/approve proposed edits to HCN stories for republication via partner channels.
• Identify and upload stories for republication that complement HCN’s coverage and meet our journalistic standards.
• Foster relationships with representatives from other media outlets to promote content sharing and project collaborations, with a particular emphasis on outlets that can connect our coverage with a wider audience.
• Contributes to weekly news meetings, in coordination with the News and Investigations Editor.
• Work with partner newsrooms and HCN editors to ensure stories are optimized for digital publication on hcn.org, newsletters, and social.
• Facilitate republishing of HCN through dedicated outreach to partners and stakeholders.
• Consider reader behavior when assigning stories and seek to satisfy reader expectations.
• Attend editorial, story and lineup meetings, giving thoughtful input on how HCN can supply readers with valuable insights about, and lend context to, life in the West.
• Takes part in, and at times hosts, public appearances, including panels, talks, dinners, receptions, and other events in the interest of idea gathering, author outreach, audience outreach, professional development, and the general promotion of HCN’s work.
• Actively promotes diversity at HCN through recruiting partner organizations that serve diverse communities, working with partners to report on underrepresented communities and supporting efforts to diversify sources and looking for ways to broaden and diversify HCN’s audience. 
• Fosters a positive work environment through thoughtful, respectful, and professional interactions with co-workers, colleagues, and the HCN community at large.
• Supervisory duties may be added to this role

 
High Country News welcomes applicants from all life experiences, and we encourage members of traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply, including Indigenous people, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, women, and people with disabilities.

Compensation and general terms
This is a full-time, exempt position with employer funded medical benefits (employee only), and optional dental and vision benefits; paid vacation leave starting at 12 days per year, 11 HCN paid holidays each year; paid sick and family leave benefits; “TK Time” — one paid half-day off per month that does not accrue; a monthly remote work stipend and IT start-up stipend; and eligibility for the 401k retirement plan with employer match contribution; and a salary in the range of $73,581 to $81,329 annual equivalent, dependent on skills and experience.
 
This is a remote working role. Candidates must reside in, or be willing to move to, one of the Western states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.
 
To apply, complete our online application at this link:
 
https://airtable.com/appE4tl7MKSBjPnMv/shrKzrFWWhPMRM4Or
 
You must include a resume and cover letter. You can attach or link examples to the application form, or include links in your cover letter or resume. Closing date for applications is April 22, 2026
 
High Country News is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion among our staff, volunteers, programs, and partners; and to creating a safe, supportive and accommodating work community. HCN is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits the unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Background
High Country News is the nation's leading independent source of thoughtful, in-depth reporting on the Western United States. Established in 1970, HCN produces an award-winning monthly magazine and a popular website, along with email newsletters and events. From Alaska and the Northern Rockies to the Desert Southwest, from the Great Plains to the West Coast, HCN is a beloved and essential resource for those who care about this region. HCN is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to inform and inspire people to act on behalf of the West's diverse natural and human communities.
 

Job Requirements:

Skills and Experience
We’re most interested in hearing how your own skills, broader experience and qualifications would enhance the role and benefit HCN and the communities we serve and hope to serve across the West. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about the mission and values of HCN, and driven to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in journalism and in working practices and company cultures.
 
The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of, and passion for, HCN's mission and values; exceptional organizational and communication skills; a sharp editing eye; the ability to think creatively about challenges and solutions in a dynamic media landscape; and a strong sense for how to shape news assignments that can succeed on digital platforms.