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Job Number:523666
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Classification:Student Assistant 2
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Grade:Student Assistant 2
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Work type:On Campus, Student Employee
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Administrative Unit:University of Alaska Anchorage
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School/Business unit:UAA VC Student Affairs
Location:Anchorage
Categories: Communications/Public Relations/Marketing, Student Affairs/Services
This recruitment is for an Opinion Editor position at The Northern Light, the student newspaper at the University of Alaska Anchorage. This position is 20 hours/week and the salary is $12.03/hour.
About The Northern Light:
The Northern Light is the University of Alaska Anchorage’s student newspaper, funded both by student media fees and advertising sales. The publication is primarily text based and strives to be digital-first, publishing stories, audio and video content online in a timely manner. Stories are also published in a printed edition. Copies of The Northern Light are distributed throughout the UAA campus and the Anchorage community. Total distribution is around 2,000 copies per print. The Northern Light’s website is www.thenorthernlight.org
Job posting summary:
The opinion editor will serve as editor for the opinion section of The Northern Light. They are responsible for finding, assigning, reporting and editing content in their section. This is a leadership position, and they are responsible for managing writers in their section and making sure stories are produced by a deadline. The opinion editor is expected to train new reporters on news gathering, writing, media ethics and the Associated Press style. The opinion editor is also expected to collaborate with writers, offering help and feedback on stories in progress; identify areas of improvement; provide feedback on the operations of the newspaper; and help implement projects and achieve the long-term goals of The Northern Light.
The opinion section of The Northern Light strives to publish well researched and well argued columns from The Northern Light staff, the public and experts. The opinion editor’s position can be one of the most challenging on The Northern Light. Their job is to help make opinion pieces the best they can be, even if they disagree with the position being argued. A well written opinion includes a timely subject, quality research, rebuttals to counterarguments, and an engaging structure. The tone of opinion pieces can vary widely, some being a table-pounding polemic and others a cool-headed assessment of facts. Opinions can also include lived experience, advice and open letters. The opinion editor is expected to help bring balance to the paper by soliciting opinions from opposing sides and experts. The opinion editor works with the public on opinions submitted to the paper, helping to edit and prepare the submissions for publication. They can write articles, but are not required to. The opinion editor is expected to find and publish two opinion pieces each week from outside The Northern Light. They are responsible for helping to recruit new staff to fill the writer positions in their section.
The opinion editor works under the supervision of the Managing Editor. They work with the multimedia editors, graphic designer, photographer, layout editor and web manager to prepare, develop and/or repackage content for use in social media, the website and in print. They work cooperatively with editors and writing teams to improve reporting, writing, and editing skills. The opinion editor is expected to find and publish content related to their section from outside the paper.
| Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: |
• Possess excellent verbal and written skills.
• Ability to write and edit publishable articles or columns with attention to grammar, The Associated Press style, spelling, clarity, accuracy and thorough reporting.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work cooperatively with other editors, including hiring, supervising, and coordinating writing staff.
• Ability to prepare, develop, and/or repackage content for use in other media.
• Possess familiarity with word processors, Google Drive, Windows and Macintosh computers.
Preferred knowledge/skills/abilities:
• Familiarity with preparation and development of other media, such as audio, video and photography.
• Has taken college level courses in journalism and public communications.
• Experience working on a publication.
• Possess knowledge of information gathering techniques, the First Amendment, the Freedom of Information Act and media ethics. |
| Typical Experience: |
None
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| Required Education or Training: |
College level writing classes and strong English language skills.
To be eligible for student employment, an applicant must:
a. Be enrolled in the University of Alaska system with a minimum of six credit hours in the current semester of employment; or
b. Have been enrolled the preceding semester for six or more credit hours and demonstrate plans to enroll for six or more credit hours in the next semester for employment between semesters; and
c. Have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or approval from the MAU Senior Student Services officer or his/her designee.
d. Students enrolled in non-traditional programs of study will be considered eligible for student employment with the approval of the Senior Student Services officer.
e. An applicant must provide evidence of enrollment as outlined above to substantiate employment eligibility.
f. Position reappointment is contingent upon successful progress toward degree completion and performance evaluation.
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| Salary Information: |
This position is 20 hours/week and the salary is $12.03/hour.
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| Special Instructions to Applicants: |
Please attach a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information (email address and phone number) for three (3) professional references with your application.
This is a pooled position, which means that the position remains open over the entire academic year.
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The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.
UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination
The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.
Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Micah Perino, Student Media HR Coordinator, at mjperino@alaska.edu or (907) 786-1203.
