HR Associate – Editorial (Volunteer)

HR Associate – Editorial (Volunteer)

Note: This is a remote, part-time volunteer position. Please do not apply if you are only seeking paid employment.

Support fearless journalism by helping build a mission-aligned editorial team.

We’re looking for an HR Associate to support our Editorial department by managing recruitment efforts, screening and interviewing candidates, and helping create a collaborative, inclusive team environment. If you’re proactive, people-oriented, and excited about working in a fast-paced, mission-driven newsroom — this role is for you.

Who We Are

WhoWhatWhy is a nonprofit investigative news organization producing deep-dive journalism on the most pressing issues of our time. We’re powered by skilled volunteers and a small core staff — from students to seasoned pros — who believe in ethical, independent journalism free from corporate or political influence.

About the Role

As the HR Associate for our Editorial department, you’ll:

• Represent HR in weekly editorial meetings (Mondays at 11:00 AM ET)
• Collaborate with editorial leadership to identify staffing needs
• Contribute to job description development and finalize approved versions
• Post roles and manage application intake
• Review candidate applications, conduct screenings, and participate in interviews
• Coordinate onboarding of new volunteers (in partnership with the central HR team)
• Track open roles, maintain candidate pipelines, and manage updates in shared systems
• Act as an ongoing point of contact for the editorial team’s HR-related needs
• Help foster an inclusive, mission-aligned volunteer environment

What We’re Looking For

• Some experience in HR, recruiting, or team operations (early-career welcome!)
• Clear communicator and confident interviewer
• Organized and reliable in a remote work setting
• Proactive problem-solver who can follow through independently
• Interest in journalism, editorial operations, and nonprofit service
• Comfortable using cloud tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Slack, Trello, spreadsheets)

What You’ll Gain

• Direct exposure to editorial operations and volunteer team-building
• Collaboration with professionals across journalism, HR, and leadership
• Flexible, remote schedule (apart from required meeting)

Commitment

We ask for a commitment of 5–7 hours per week and a minimum of 6 months. This includes regular team meetings, occasional follow-ups, and collaboration with our HR team.

How to Apply

Please send:

• Your resume
• A thoughtful cover letter telling us why this role speaks to you

To confirm that you’ve read this description, include the phrase “Committed to the Mission” and the result of 12 ÷ 3 somewhere in your letter.

If there’s no place to attach a cover letter, email it to [email protected]. Check your spam folder for responses — they sometimes land there.

Reminder

We do not consider generic or AI-generated applications. Your submission should reflect your voice and alignment with our mission.

Join Us

This is your opportunity to directly support fearless journalism by helping build a strong, mission-driven editorial team.