Editor – Sol del Valle & Colorado River Valley

Position Summary

The Editor is the editorial leader of Sol del Valle, responsible for shaping and executing a vision for high-quality, culturally competent Spanish-language journalism in the region.

This role goes beyond traditional editing, it requires community leadership, relationship-building, and a deep commitment to elevating Latino voices and experiences through original reporting.

This is not a translation role. Sol del Valle produces original journalism for and with the Spanish-speaking community, alongside select translated or adapted content from The Sopris Sun and partner news outlets.

The Editor manages contributors, guides coverage priorities, and ensures that Sol del Valle reflects the needs, perspectives, and lived experiences of the communities it serves. The Editor works closely with the Sopris Sun Editor-in-Chief and organizational leadership and maintains  a clear editorial firewall between journalism and revenue activities.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial Leadership & Vision
• Set editorial vision, coverage priorities, and story mix across print and digital platforms
• Uphold standards of accuracy, fairness, transparency, and ethics
• Ensure compliance with Trust for Journalism standards
• Shape culturally-relevant, community-centered journalism

Newsroom Management
• Supervise reporters, freelancers, interns
• Assign, edit, and approve stories for publication
• Provide clear feedback and mentorship to contributors
• Build and maintain a diverse, reliable freelance network

Editorial Operations & Workflow
• Manage the editorial calendar for Sol del Valle
• Coordinate workflows between English and Spanish content
• Manage weekly print production schedules and deadlines
• Develop and maintain efficient systems for bilingual publishing
• Coordinate with layout, social media manager, ad sales team

Community Engagement & Leadership
• Serve as a visible and trusted presence within Latino communities
• Build relationships with community members, organizations, and local leaders
• Identify coverage priorities through listening and engagement
• Represent Sol del Valle at community events and public forums

Collaboration & Partnerships
• Work closely with The Sopris Sun newsroom to align editorial priorities
• Collaborate with the CoWest Noticias Collaborative media partners on bilingual coverage
• Support cross-newsroom initiatives.

Grant Support & Contributor Development
• Provide editorial insight, impact narratives, and examples for grant applications
• Collaborate on grant-funded editorial projects while maintaining editorial independence
• Help document editorial outcomes and community impact for reporting purposes
• Recruit, onboard, and mentor freelance writers, photographers, and contributors
• Support professional development through clear assignments and constructive feedback

Required Qualifications

• Strong Spanish proficiency (written and spoken)
• Experience in writing and editing
• Demonstrated editorial judgment and ability to shape coverage
• Experience managing contributors, freelancers, or newsroom workflows
• Understanding of journalistic ethics and community-centered reporting
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small newsroom environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit or community journalism
• Familiarity with Google workspace
• Passion for mentoring early-career journalists
• Familiarity with the history and dynamics of the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys
• Experience with bilingual publishing workflows or community engagement
• Experience managing contributors, freelancers, or newsroom workflows

Core Competencies & Values

• Commitment to local journalism as a public service
• Collaborative, heart-led leadership style
• Strong communication and decision-making skills
• Respect for diverse voices and lived experience

What Success Looks Like (First 6–12 Months)
• Consistent production of high-quality weekly print content and regular digital publishing
• Growth in Spanish-language readership, engagement, and community trust
• Increased original reporting centered on Latino community voices
• A strong, supported network of contributors and freelancers
• Clear editorial systems, standards, and workflows in place
• Effective collaboration across the organization and with external partners

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials:

  • A brief cover letter (1 page max) describing your interest in the role and relevant experience
  • Resume or CV
  • 2–3 samples of your writing; Spanish-language samples preferred)
  • A short paragraph (3–5 sentences) describing a story or issue you think is undercovered in the Roaring Fork or Colorado River valleys

Send materials to: Board@soprissun.com
Subject line: Editor, Sol del Valle – [Your Name]

Application deadline: Open until filled

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to those received by the deadline.

Finalists may be asked to complete a brief editing or writing exercise.

Status

Part-Time, with full-time potential

Salary Range & Benefits

Salary range: $30 – $35/hr depending on experience; $65,000 to $70,000 (full-time)
Benefits include paid time off, flex holidays, and a flexible work environment supportive of work-life balance.

This position is expected to average approximately [20–25] hours per week, with a pathway to full-time as Sol del Valle continues to grow.

DEI & Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Sopris Sun is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, and socioeconomic background.

We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our journalism and better reflect the communities we serve.