Assignment Editor, Budget and Appropriations

As the Assignment Editor for Budget and Appropriations at CQ Roll Call, your primary responsibilities include managing a team focused on federal budget coverage, editing both breaking news and long-form stories, and coordinating reporters to ensure timely, accurate legislative tracking. You'll also play a vital role in producing the CQ Budget Tracker newsletter and podcast, while moderating discussions and events to enhance communication within and outside the organization.

To qualify for the Assignment Editor position at CQ Roll Call, candidates should possess at least a bachelor's degree and 10+ years of experience in daily journalism, focusing particularly on political and policy subjects. Additionally, prior management experience of 3+ years is essential, along with a strong working knowledge of the Congressional budgetary process and federal spending.

A successful Assignment Editor at CQ Roll Call should exhibit excellent editorial judgment and a knack for collaborative journalism. Strong communication skills, the ability to think expansively about news coverage, and a deep understanding of Congress, federal agencies, and the political landscape are critical. A passion for public policy and a talent for storytelling will set you apart in this role.

CQ Roll Call encourages continuous professional growth, providing opportunities for its employees to engage in various training sessions, workshops, and events. As an Assignment Editor, you'll be immersed in a culture of learning, collaborating with talented professionals who share insights on the evolving landscape of journalism, policy, and media.

The salary for the Assignment Editor role at CQ Roll Call ranges from $110,000 to $130,000 annually, reflecting the importance of this position in delivering high-quality news and analysis on budget and appropriations to our audience of decision-makers in Washington, DC.

In your response, discuss your specific experiences with team management—highlight your leadership style, how you foster collaboration, and how you support team members in their growth. Mention specific instances where you overcame challenges or achieved milestones together.

Explain your editing process by focusing on clarity, accuracy, and adherence to journalistic standards. Discuss your methods for ensuring that complex budgetary topics are comprehensible and engaging for readers while maintaining factual integrity.

Share your strategies for remaining informed, such as following key legislators on social media, subscribing to relevant news sources, and participating in events or discussions. Emphasize the importance of continuous education in this fast-paced field.

Discuss how you assess the significance of breaking news within the budget and appropriations area and your system for deciding which stories to cover first, including collaboration with other reporters and real-time engagement through CQ Roll Call’s platforms.

Describe any instances where you've pitched, produced, or edited newsletters or podcasts. Highlight your ability to curate content that resonates with the audience and effectively communicates complex information in an engaging format.

Focus on your time management skills and stress the importance of delegation and teamwork. Provide examples where you successfully met deadlines without compromising journalistic integrity or the quality of the output.

Reflect on what drew you to journalism in this field—perhaps it's the impact of informed reporting on public policy or your desire to engage with and empower citizens about government actions that influence their lives.

Identify a specific situation that required careful consideration, explain your thought process, and describe the ultimate outcome. This demonstrates not only your decision-making skills but also your ethical considerations in journalism.

Talk about your commitment to nonpartisanship, emphasizing the importance of impartial reporting. Discuss how you encourage your team to uphold these standards and ensure diverse perspectives are represented in coverage.

Express your opinion on the vital role an Assignment Editor holds in crafting informed discussions around budget issues. Discuss how you envision leading your team to shed light on these critical topics while presenting them in an accessible way for all audiences.