When Jason and I first began hiring people for The Autopian, there was one rule we told ourselves we’d never break: Always remain lean. This media business is a tough one, and we’d seen far too many car websites go on hiring frenzies, only to lay folks off later. With this in mind, we’ve been careful when bringing on new talent, and we will continue to do so as we look for a key puzzle piece that we hope will launch this site to the next tier. That key puzzle is a News Editor.
Our writers here at The Autopian are sensational; to have eclipsed Road & Track in monthly traffic in two years, and then to beat out The Drive within three years is a monumental feat (even if the latter was just for a single month). It’s a testament to our talented writers’ true love of cars, and to the strength of this community that you, dear readers, have helped build. Thank you!
One challenge to running a company, Jason, Matt and I are finding, is that handling day-to-day operations tends to bleed into, well, everything. The reality is that it just can’t if we want this place to continue thriving; leadership has to be able to spend significant time not just on planning out business strategy, but on actual execution of things like partnerships, membership, and ad optimization.
Beyond that, from an editorial side, we’ve found that the biggest area where we stand to improve is in news coverage.
Thus, we’re on the hunt for a News Editor — someone who knows what’s happening, not just in the industry, but also around the forums and on social media. But as much as writing is part of the job, we’re not just looking for a News Writer; the person we’re looking for can assign pieces, edit pieces, and above all: Knows what stories work for our audience and which don’t.
This person, whoever they end up being, should open up Jason, Matt, and me to spend more time on making this site run better, while filling the news gap that we sometimes find in our editorial coverage. They are to be a dual-threat, so to speak.
You can view the News Editor job posting here (it says “no longer accepting applications,” but just ignore that since we’re not taking applications through LinkedIn), or you can just ignore that link and read the job description and application instructions below:
About the job
The Autopian, in our continued quest towards remaining the greatest car website on the web, is seeking an experienced News Editor who can keep us in the conversation. The ideal candidate knows the industry back-and-forth, has their own set of sources, is aware of conversations being had on forums and social media, is comfortable interviewing people, and is interesting enough to write about their own car-life in a way that keeps our readers engaged.
Our site has massively grown in its first three years to become an essential community for gearheads and the car-curious. We’ve done so by carefully curating a staff and a vibe that’s fun, informative, and thoughtful.
This News Editor’s role is multifaceted. It involves staying ahead of the news so that The Autopian is the place where the conversation happens. When we say news, we don’t just mean traditional industry happenings, but especially human-interest stories shared through word-of-mouth, internet forums, or social media. This position primarily involves writing, though assigning pieces to other writers and editing will also be key.
Qualifications:
- A history of reporting/blogging
- A strong technical understanding of how cars work
- A deep understanding of conventional news sources (trades/wires) and less traditional news sources (Discord, social media)
- Experience with WordPress or other CMSes
- Experience with Discord
- An understanding of modern web metrics (Chartbeat, Google Analytics, et cetera)
- A roster of industry contacts
- A personality that comes out in your writing
- An obsession with cars
- Photoshop/topshot creation/image editing skills
- Humility and compassionate leadership
Expectations:
- You read The Autopian and get our style/mission.
- A belief that leadership is service, and that as an editor it’s your job to make everyone you work with better.
- You treat people with respect, especially our readers.
What You’ll Get:
- $70-100k a year based on experience
- Health/Life Insurance benefits
- Time-off, including but not limited to pursuing hilarious car projects
How To Apply:
Send a cover letter that includes a description of what you think makes The Autopian unique, and give us five headlines for potential features that you think would perform well (in terms of traffic) on The Autopian. Additionally, send a resume and three writing samples to careers@theautopian.com.
If you know a great writer/editor/human being who lives and breathes cars, send them this article! Otherwise, we’ll keep all you dear readers apprised of the status of this job listing, whose applications we plan to be very diligent in assessing. We’ve built something special here, and whoever is coming to fill this News Editor role has to not only understand what that special things is, but also fit into that thing harmoniously.
(top image source: Chrysler)
…does this mean you’re finally going to have time to deliver The Autopian’s esteemed print version, Brougham Fancy?
Since I tend to misplace my periodicals I’d be interested in the ‘zine version, Village Velour.
Apparently “too online since the early 90s” isn’t a qualification now? *Flounces out*
Do NOT hire Peter O’Hanraha-hanrahan.
Not my jam (tho look me up if you start taking YT seriously), but a good gig nonetheless. Gonna forward it around.
Speaking of YT, remember that the ‘includes paid promotion’ checkbox is there to satisfy an FTC reg. Best to start checking that when applicable, now that you’re doing more partner videos.
I have applied previously, and it doesn’t appear I’m a good fit. I wish you guys the best, and I didn’t know how much traffic you all were getting. Great news.
This sounds like homework, and I need a nap.
I want to know how you compare to Jalopnik. Have you surpassed their readership yet? Since that’s where you came from, I think it’s a valid question. Oh, and per my picture I am fat. And Ducky Proud of it.
I came from the dumpster fire that is Jalopnik as well, final straw was when one of their ads had a malware and my home firewall thankfully blocked it. I think measured consistent growth is happening and awesome to see. Maybe someone in the comments has more stats…
I think Jalopnik has improved greatly lately. Where they bought out recently? Sometimes I get confused as to which site I’m on, but I am probably the outlier in that I like their site better. This site is almost like a”club”, Autopian against the world kind of feeling. I’m sure I’m going to catch flack for saying this. But on J I can say my dumb opinion and not get scolded for it. Though at the moment someone is arguing that my general opinion is somehow flawed because it isn’t more focused on one item. Sheesh. Probably a troll. Anyway, to me, this clubiness is exlemplified by the reader calling out fatness. I think that the authors are getting too chummy with readership to the point that some readers actually think the writers are their close friends, which leads to those kind of comments. Just my opinion. Don’t beat me up. (I say this because politics has become tribal. I like complaining about both parties. I don’t want to be arrested because someone doesn’t like my opinion)
The German lighting website itself now works a lot better, but the content has really gone downhill. Now it seems like it’s all “read how some obvious thing functions”. A car has four wheels! And they roll!
“German lighting”?
https://www.theautopian.com/why-so-many-major-youtube-channel-hosts-are-quitting-and-what-it-says-about-media/comment-page-2/#comment-416505
Thanks
Almost too droll
Good Luck in your Search – it’s a pretty tall order with your requirements but as the industry has contracted there’s gotta be someone from a former competitor that can tick all the boxes.
My two cents is that personality-poor or excellent should be front and center. We are quickly approaching a point where AI is going to make a persons “voice” their main selling point.
That and the ability to tell sound alike words apart
I would offer to help with any kei car knowledge, but since I am already giving it away for free to Wikipedia I guess I have undermined my bargaining position.
…but you could write it here with poop jokes! And character! Rizz! But mostly, I love poop jokes. (Long live the Morning Dump.)
I have been racking my brain trying to come up with a poop-related kei car joke for the last forty seconds, and here’s what I came up with:
Q: What do you call it when you try to fart, and end up with a tiny car in your underwear?
A: Kei jidoshart!
A+, no notes, no farts
Maybe you could translate that for us language impaired?
Kei car in Japanese is kei jidosha
Too bad I don’t have the requisite experience. I’d love to change jobs, and I bet working for The Autopian would be a blast. I hope you find the right person soon!
I absolutely love that the site is growing and turns to its readers for help filling the slots. I wish I fit the qualifications, but let me know when you need an editor specifically for XJ Wagoneer and/or Soil Science stories and I’ll be your Johnny on the spot!
I’d like to keep you in mind when we eventually spin off our Soil Science daily blog, Dirtwatcher.
I believe it’s called “Soil Medial and the Ten Amendments”. 😀
D-Dog, the legend!
I’m not surprised you beat out Road & Track and the Drive. This site just hits different than others. I don’t even create an account on most sites, much less pay for membership.
Bob, you are the best! Thank you!
Did you ask the members first in Slack?
Also, after doing the aforementioned, why didn’t you make a new membership drive out of this opportunity?
Join or upgrade your membership and you could find a job here. For the price of a daily latte, you could find yourself swimming in the Autopian rivers of journalism. Digging deep for news, correcting us when we’re wrong (every readers dream), and posting the top shot of the story! You, yes YOU could be a coveted journalist. Join today!
I’m sold.
You’re welcome. 😉
Pick me! I have no experience, but I write goodly and read a lot of car news. I have a cynical wit and a bias towards obscure French cars.
That’s the kind of news we’re looking for.
Not magawoak speculation that will be broken tomorrow, hell that’s available anywhere. I come here to avoid that crap. Morning Dump is more believable, but is still a reflection in the bowl.
Like a Renault Caravelle?
Headline made me worry about the reins of the Morning Dump. It is pretty perfect right now, even if it is available at lunch rather than the breakfast. I need the music recommendations to continue.
+1 plop of appreciation for the Morning Dump
(also, it’s eerily well timed for my butt on Central time)
So will this person take over for the morning dumping? Matt not getting enough fiber to sustain?
This may help:
https://youtu.be/Ku42Iszh9KM?si=4H0PukMQD3dTkU9o
I expected this to be Colon Blow before I clicked the link.
Runner up would be Metamucil from Crazy People:
“It helps you go to the toilet. If you don’t use it, you’ll get cancer and die.”
Posting the position here and not accepting applications via job boards is a smart way to ensure your applicants really do read this site. Well done!
As opposed to…?
Hey, they said they need a news editor. This qualifies as news, and it needs editing.
“You passed the test. You’re hired!”
https://youtu.be/x4WuNU_0e5c?si=hVEc91wjU-0PC6Lq
Printing out the website and mailing it, making it a website on paper
Next level play right here.
I hear this in the woman from the Toyota commercial’s voice.
Hey now, I make my own hyper text markup language by ingesting copious amounts of caffeine and going crazy with highlighters to the printed copy of the site. It’s worked* so far!
*it has not
I have no experience or contacts but I’m willing to work for half the pay which should be more than enough for the certified cheap bastard in charge.
Also, I’m using my promised time off to not work the month of July.
Also, I’m resigning effective the end of July.
Make sure my last check is in the mail, it has been a pleasure working here.
No No NO, You’re doing it all wrong! That’s a golden backpack filled with pots and pans!
(came back to edit my your/you’re, see? I’m a natch!)
“…and on social media.”
Welp, I’m out! 🙂
Good luck, though! Love this place. If you’re ever looking for satire, though, I’ve got about 50-100 samples that were purged from the Old Site (but archived, slightly), mostly in the vein of Onion or HardTimes. It might confuse people, though 🙂
Give it a try, I got into my 2nd job only meeting 75% of the qualifications. Perhaps the comment section on the Autopian counts as social media?
@David Tracy: Speaking of lean, it looks like you’ve gained alot of weight lately. That can happen when you reach a certain age, settle down, etc.
Nip the weight gain in the bud. It’s a lot easier in the early stages. You’ll be happy you did it in a few years when you can still run around with your kid–hike, bike, fly a kite, etc.
It goes without saying that diet and exercise are the keys. For what it’s worth, I had great success with the South Beach Diet. It’s tough, but for me, it worked.
Also: your older self will thank you daily for every pound of muscle you gain while you’re younger and it’s easier. An hour of freeweights 2-3 times/week is all it takes…
I’m sure your intentions are good, but I don’t think we need to be policing the weight of, well, anyone who works here? David’s plenty active and strong as an ox and healthy. David’s body is his body, and may be the only body he has access to with no rust. Let the man just be.
Naw he’s right; I’m a fatass.
But there’s nothing wrong with that! To all my fellow dad-bods: It’s all good.
With that said, I do plan to lose weight, but primarily so I can live long and see my baby boy grow up.
It may not have bothered you… but it would bother a lot of people. It was inappropriate and a complete asshole comment.
And it may get under the skin of readers to whom it’s not directed, but who may be in similar shape. I’ve been losing a little extra weight and have been trying not to call myself fat or frame my weight loss around that because I’ve unintentionally hurt feelings when someone heavier has heard me.
“With that said, I do plan to lose weight, but primarily so I can live long and see my baby boy grow up.”
My free advice: Buy a bike, ride it, work on it and write about it. Then buy more. Vintage steel bikes can scratch your many itches for nostalgia/penny pinching/wrenching/rust/hoarding/off roading/making the world a better place quite nicely.
Vintage and classic would fit his modus operandi perfectly. Buy quality, do the DIY wrenching for maintenance, repair and improvements. The bike and maybe you will last forever.
Bikes are also an amazing family activity. Not just for family rides but family wrenching time, customization, and conversations too.
Bikes are simple beasts that can be wrenched on even in a kitchen with hand tools by noobs. Park tools and others have great DIY videos covering everything one could imagine. Its a great introduction into the world of wrenching for NTRN Delmar, maybe even Elise if there’s an interest.
And yes, a steel bike treated properly can long outlast even his “forever” cars. And so, SO cheap! Many of mine were bought for well under $100 and I’m very particular about what I buy. Others I found on the curb with a “FREE!” sign. If that’s not a siren’s call to a certified cheap bastard like DT I don’t know what is.
Please, please, don’t write about bikes. Ride bikes, yeah sure, but don’t waste more internet on them. Every bicycle ever already has had way too many words spilled about it.
There are endless forums and sites to geek out about bikes, leave the Autopian to vehicles. Please.
Well I have bad news for you. The uniform vehicle code considers bicycles as vehicles. So they are fair game here.
Boo! Didn’t one of the guys on Jalopnik do that? It was all fucking bikes and sprockets and pedals all the time,this is not «Bicycle weekly» dammit
Yes and I appreciated the bicycle content.
Man the dad-bod has hit me hard as well. I’ve put on about 30 pounds in the last year, and can’t seem to drop a single one.
As I say: “it’s not a Dad bod, it’s a Father figure” 😉
That’s a good one! Standup Comedian-level stuff.
Thanks!
Agreed that no body policing is needed, but disagree that David’s body has no rust. Given the type of car he loves to wrench on I’m guessing he un-intentionally ingested pounds of rust over the years and is now 10% rust by body weight.
Calm down. Nobody’s suggesting you should make maintaining a healthy weight a condition of employment.
And they have a point. I can tell you from experience that if David has a family history of hypertension, diabetes or other issues related to weight it’s much better to do what’s need to avoid those conditions now than try to minimize their effects later.
Jason is right; a public job posting is not an appropriate place to discuss this, and if it weren’t me this might not have gone well. I, personally, am fine with it. I grew up in an army family that was generally pretty blunt and valued fitness and accountability, so believe me when I say I’ve been hearing about my weight gain a lot!
I’ll handle it; for Delmar!
It’s a public forum discussing the posting. Topic drift is inevitable.
This community is what it is because our readership shows one another respect. I would not tolerate this if it happened to any of my writers; they have to be able to work here without being judged/made to feel uncomfortable.
This isn’t some wild internet forum, it’s the Autopian — the finest car-community on the web.
With that said, I like to think MattyD wrote this because he felt comfortable enough telling me since I generally don’t mind, and he’s absolutely right.
Anyway, moving on!
Well, I sure didn’t mean to start a bruhaha. FWIW, my intentions are good, and given how many of David’s stories are of a personal nature–mostly angst about various things, I figured the post would be OK with David. No body-policing intended; just some friendly advice from someone who’s a bit more along in years. Cheers.
Your forum, your rules.
My older self has thanked me for not writing everything that popped into my head on the internet.
My rule of thumb is that I am much more blunt in the default world.
(not his real name)
I don’t think anyone here would be happy to deal with Japan’s Metabo Law – employees aged 40-75 have to have their waist measured annually; if your waist is above 85cm for men or 90cm for women (33.5″ and 35.4″) you will be hit with counselling and your company will be exposed to penalties. Anyhow, this is so far beyond off topic that I should probably be not commenting anyhow.
Well that helps explain why Japan is number 185 on a 195 country obesity list despite also having the oldest population in the world and an official national sport in which gross obesity is a significant advantage.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_obesity_rate
https://whysojapan.com/what-is-the-national-sport-of-japan/
If he or anyone in his family had any of those conditions I cannot see why that would be any business of ours anyway,so your point is moot.
It’s David’s and his immediate family’s business, however the comments are not a matter of aesthetics but of health. Extra weight is known to add considerable extra risk to developing those and other silent, deadly heredity conditions.
How sure are we that this body is also entirely rust free?
Are we SURE his body has no rust???
Too much non-shower spaghetti. Just wait until he starts eating it off the tray, table and clothing the baby threw it at.
David, I’m going to send you an email about this. I have a BA degree in Journalism and was a freelance photojournalist for many years. I also have rockstar writing skills and good news judgement. I do know *some* people in the industry but I could easily brush up on those contacts. I’m extremely friendly and love meeting new peeps.
I’d certainly be highly interested in this position. I was actually getting ready to write an article about a driving experience I just had with my old man’s unicorn truck here in Colorado.
I’ll drop you a line 😀
@David Tracy: if you hire this individual,please make sure that «peeps» is never used in a post on The Autopian.
I would like to know if there is a style sheet or book for the Autopian?
Eh, what’s the issue with that term exactly? It’s not the sloppy jargon they use on *the other site* which has gotten downright ridiculously bad with editing and really just bad style that reads more like a personal blog.
I’ll consult with David and the gang, but generally, I tend to default to AP style writing since that’s what I was trained in, but this is a *slightly* more informal setting so there’s a bit of flexibility, I’d imagine. But I’d still be very precise about my stories and editing others, but some fun verbiage isn’t going to tarnish the reputation of this fine establishment.
Maaaan. This is tempting.
Omg, I’d love to work with you again, Jake! ♥
Yes. YES.
I definitely won’t be applying, but thank you for putting a salary range in the advert. There’s nothing more annoying than having to guess whether or not you’d be able to take a job and still eat.
I’ve seen that being a thing for California companies to post.
it’s the law in Colorado and maybe some other states. but it also causes job postings to say salary is $50k to $200k
“depending on experience and work location”
This, if the posting doesn’t mention the salary range I don’t apply.
And ALSO for clarifying that the LinkedIn application process is useless. I mean, I already knew that, but it’s nice to hear it from the source 🙂
As someone who gets some applicants via LinkedIn, it’s pretty bad. It pretty much encourages an unfocused, nonspecific resume. It also generates that resume as part of your application, so forget about it drawing the hiring manager’s eye. If I recall correctly, it also puts that you are eligible to work in the US pretty close to the top. If you apply, I hope you’re eligible to work here. I don’t need that to be one of your top selling points.
(It’s possible I’m conflating LinkedIn with another site for that last bit. I dislike them all because they make it harder to screen applicants and harder for applicants to make themselves stand out.)
Most people would be amazed how many people still apply to a job that says you must be eligible to work in the USA who aren’t.
Sure, but I still think that it’s weird to put that front and center on the resume. Especially since it’s likely someone ineligible will just check that box anyway.
Yeah, this sort of excludes people in San Francisco and NYC. But we don’t typically have wrenching space anyhow.
Salary range in job postings is the law in California. However, many employers put ranges that are larger than $100k making it somewhat facetious.
It’s an excellent way for companies to tip off the best people not to waste their time applying.
It’s legally required in California.
Seriously, especially in this typically hella underpaid industry. I would not have applied to my new job if they hadn’t listed a worth-the-move pay range.
Eat?
Some news jobs pay well enough you’ll be eating in your car, because you’ll be living in it.
Sounds interesting