Position Title: Associate Editor, Writing for Liberation

Reports To: Director of Writing for Liberation

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Employment Type: Part-Time Employee; eligible for part-time employee benefits

Hours: 20 hours/week

Compensation: $42.10/hour

Worksite: Remote

About Empowerment Avenue

Empowerment Avenue works to normalize the inclusion of incarcerated writers, artists, and filmmakers in mainstream venues by bridging the gap between them and harnessing this creative proximity as a path to decarceration, narrative change, and public safety.

Position Summary

Supports the Writing for Liberation program by developing writers and stories for publication, identifying and pursuing publication opportunities, cultivating relationships with writers and editors, and maintaining consistent forward movement of assigned stories through pitching, follow-up, acceptance, and publication under the editorial direction of the Director of Writing for Liberation.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial and Writer Development - 75% (Approximately 15 hours/week)

• Identify, develop, and support publication opportunities through direct pitching.
• Build and maintain relationships with writers.
• Serve as the point of contact for assigned writers as needed.
• Support writers throughout the publication process as assigned

Meetings & Collaboration - 15% (Approximately 3-4 hours/week)

• Attend team meetings.
• Collaborate with staff, volunteers, and publication partners.
• Provide updates on writer engagement and publication progress.

Administrative Support - 10% (Approximately 2 hours/week)

• Maintain timely communication with writers and publication partners.
• Publication partner outreach and development of warm pitching opportunities (shared responsibility)
• Maintain accurate and timely records of pitches, responses, follow-ups, acceptances, and publication outcomes in the database.
• Support additional administrative tasks as needed and as appropriate for the role.

Qualifications

Required:

• 3+ years experience in journalism or publishing, including freelance writing and pitching to major outlets with demonstrated success as a freelance writer and/or in pitching and placing stories with major outlets
• A strong portfolio of published work across multiple outlets, or a demonstrated track record of successfully supporting other writers in securing publication
• Demonstrated ability to identify compelling story ideas, develop effective pitches, and match stories with appropriate publications and editors
• Experience working directly with incarcerated or system-impacted individuals
• Excellent writing, editing, pitching, and interpersonal communication skills
• Commitment to abolition, racial justice, and creative equity

Preferred:

• Lived experience with incarceration or the criminal legal system
• Familiarity with challenges faced by incarcerated writers (e.g. mail delays, tech barriers)
• Experience with trauma-informed editorial practices and/or restorative storytelling
• Experience developing writers and providing substantive editorial feedback

Work Environment & Schedule

• Remote position; primarily sedentary, computer-based work
• Availability during EA’s core collaboration hours
• Regular check-ins with the Co-Leadership Team

California Employment Law Compliance

As a California employer, Empowerment Avenue administers this position in accordance with the following (non-exhaustive) state requirements:

• Paid Sick Leave – accrual and use under the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act
• Wage & Hour – minimum wage, meal and rest breaks, itemized wage statements (Labor Code §226), and timely final pay
• Wage Theft Prevention Act Notice – written notice of pay rate, payday, and related terms provided at hire (Labor Code §2810.5)
• Workers’ Compensation – coverage for work-related injury or illness
• State Disability Insurance / Paid Family Leave – employee-funded via payroll deduction; benefits administered through the EDD
• CalSavers – enrollment in the state retirement savings program if EA does not otherwise sponsor a qualifying retirement plan
• Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (SB 1343) – required within six months of hire and every two years thereafter
• Fair Employment & Housing Act (FEHA) – state-level nondiscrimination and accommodation protections in addition to federal law
• Local Ordinances – any city/county minimum wage, paid sick leave, or fair workweek ordinances applicable to EA’s registered worksite apply in addition to state law