Job Description
Job Description
JOB SUMMARY:
The Staff Writer is responsible for generating content for Air & Space Forces Magazine, both online
and in print. This writer produces 4-5 stories per week for the website/Daily Report and regular
features for the print magazine. Articles focus on the activities, equipment, and strategy of the
U.S. Air Force and Space Force. S/he is expected to both pitch their own story ideas and be able to
execute stories as assigned. The Staff Writer may
also be called on to edit content from other reporters or the News Editor.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Writing & Reporting (approximately 90% of effort):
• Research and write 4-5 news articles per week, ranging from about 400 to 1,200 words for
airandspaceforces.com.
• Research and write regular long-form articles for the print magazine with a broader, longer-term
look at key issues facing the Air Force and Space Force.
• Conduct interviews with senior military and civilian officials, attend conferences, symposia,
and other events where officials are speaking, visit the Pentagon, and travel to military
installations to cover military training and activities firsthand
• Research, read, and help curate relevant content from other sources
Other Duties as Assigned (approximately 10% of effort):
• Assist other staff with editing, proofreading, and content development.
• Copy edit and/or proof-read colleagues’ content as needed.
• Conduct search engine optimization (SEO) by tagging and enhancing articles to maximize
exposure before publication.
REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience Required:
• Experience reporting as a professional journalist covering national defense/U.S. military; the
aerospace or federal technology industrial base; cybersecurity or a related topic.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field or equivalent work experience.
• Familiarity with the U.S. Air Force and/or U.S. Space Force and adjacent industries.
• Interest in national security
• Military experience helpful but not required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
• Ability to serve as a technical/functional expert and provide effective guidance to
others.
• Superior writing and editing skills, and ability to produce clear and consistent content within
a short turnaround time.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to consistently attend to details and meet
deadlines.
• Ability to think strategically about content selection and editorial decisions.
• Ability and commitment to keep information confidential.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills and a high degree of comfort interacting with industry
leaders and senior military officials.
• High degree of comfort working under pressure and with multiple concurrent priorities.
• Ability and commitment to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ability to deploy sound judgment, sort through complex information, and make decisions.
• Ability to select and use effective approaches to choose a course of action and develop
appropriate solutions.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office product suites (especially Excel and PowerPoint), WordPress,
and knowledge or ability to learn other computer-based systems.