The Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co., Inc. is looking for a visionary editor to lead its newsroom in the 2010-11 academic year.
All UO graduate or undergraduate students enrolled for the 2010-11 academic year are eligible to apply. The successful applicant will have a demonstrated record of achievement in academic and non-academic aspects of student life, and will have some background in the essential skills required for daily newsgathering and publication as well as a commitment to and passion for excellent journalism.
Previous ODE experience is a plus, but not a pre-requisite. Leadership and workplace experience are equally important. A well-articulated vision for the ODE’s future is essential. The successful applicant will be the critical player in the ODE’s transformation from a traditional print newspaper to a fully realized, digitally savvy, multi-platform news and information organization. The editor’s legacy will be a newsroom positioned to serve aspiring journalists for generations to come.
Term of office:
The editor’s term of office starts on June 7, 2010 and continues through the last issue of spring term 2011. The term is preceded by an orientation period that begins no later than May 1 and extends through June 6. During the orientation period, the editor begins hiring summer and fall staffs.
General duties:
The ODE editor is responsible for all editorial content operations of the ODE newspaper and its related online and mobile sites. The editor is responsible for hiring, training and deploying the news staff to meet the organizations editorial objectives. The editor is responsible for managing and meeting the newsroom’s budget. The editor is the public face of all editorial decisions and content and works closely with the organization’s professional staff. The editor is the newsroom’s representative to university faculty, staff and administration and to the student community. The editor articulates newsroom vision and values and establishes content goals for the year. The editor shall foster an atmosphere of acceptance and diversity among personnel.
The editor reports to the publisher; except the editor is the sole decision maker on all issues of editorial content for the ODE and its related online and mobile sites.
Specific duties:
- The editor is responsible for producing high-quality editorial content for a newspaper published Monday-to-Friday during the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters and once each week during the summer quarter. The editor is responsible for producing content for the related online and mobile sites, including re-purposed print content as well as timely updates or breaking news or sports information.
- The editor is responsible for hiring an editorial staff, training that staff as necessary and deploying the staff in such a way as to meet the organization’s editorial objectives. The editor is a teacher, coach and mentor to students who seriously desire to improve their professional skills by working for the ODE. The editor is an advocate for and architect of a diverse newsroom workforce.
- The editor will work with the publisher to develop a fresh online and mobile strategy and will be responsible for implementing the newsroom’s piece of that strategy.
- The editor works with the publisher and the professional heads of technical and creative services, business and advertising to establish deadlines, ensure the smooth flow of content and handle the day-to-day decisions necessary to produce quality print and online publications.
- The editor works with the publisher to develop an operating budget for the newsroom and then is expected to meet that budget by controlling expenses, including payroll.
- The editor is responsible for supervising the use of all newsroom electronic and photo equipment and is a responsible steward of other company assets and facilities.
- The editor attends all meeting of the ODE Board of Directors in an ex officio capacity and is responsible for delivering to the board a monthly report on newsroom activities.
- In addition to acceptance of and familiarity with the organization’s mission and goals, the editor must abide by established ODE policies and procedures, must comply with all applicable laws and regulations and must have a working knowledge of applicable legal issues, such as libel.
- The editor will establish and maintain regular office hours and will be responsible for attending regularly scheduled meetings set by the publisher and the board.
Qualifications:
- The editor will have substantial background in the practice of journalism, possibly including leadership experience on a high school or college newspaper and/or yearbook. Successful completion of basic journalism skills courses is desirable.
- The editor should have a basic understanding of how university students access news and information as well as an understanding of students’ information needs and interests.
- Background in digital delivery of news and information through online, mobile or other digital media is desirable. Familiarity with common social networking sites and systems such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, is expected.
- The editor must demonstrate strong writing skills. Familiarity with art, design and website development is desirable.
- Graduate applicants must be enrolled at the University of Oregon for a minimum of 3 credit hours during three out of four of the applicable academic terms. Undergraduate applicants must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours during three out of four terms. The editor position is a full-time job and applicants are expected to manage that job as well as the required academic workload.
Compensation:
The editor receives a monthly salary for 14 months, May 2010 through June 2011. The salary for June 2011 will be pro-rated by the Publisher according to the number of days worked/issues published. The ODE also pays for individual health insurance coverage through the student health policy offered by the university.