Editor-in-Chief for The Sun Star

The editor-in-chief is responsible for overseeing the overall content, direction, and quality of The Sun Star. This role includes guiding the editorial vision and ensuring all published material meets the organization’s standards of accuracy, fairness, and journalistic integrity. The editor-in-chief works closely with reporters and editors to assign, review, and refine articles across a range of topics, including campus news, student life, the outdoors, and community coverage in Fairbanks and North Pole. In addition to editing and content oversight, the editor-in-chief supports research, source development, and fact-checking processes to maintain high-quality reporting. This position also involves managing the editorial team, writing editorials, selling ads, coordinating production timelines, and leading additional projects or initiatives to support the growth and success of The Sun Star.

We’re looking for a candidate with strong editorial judgment and exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce and refine clear, high-quality content on deadline. The ideal applicant can guide coverage across a variety of topics, ensuring all work is accurate, engaging, and aligned with The Sun Star’s voice and standards. A strong understanding of AP-style and a commitment to journalistic integrity are essential. The editor-in-chief should demonstrate excellent leadership, communication, and mentoring abilities, along with strong interviewing instincts and the capacity to build relationships with sources and staff. We value candidates who can effectively manage a team, work independently when needed, and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Minimum Qualifications:

Part-time enrollment of at minimum 6 credits and a GPA of 2.0 or higher at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is required. Prior experience in journalism, editing, or a student-run publication is strongly preferred, with demonstrated leadership experience considered a plus. Candidates should possess strong computer skills and proficiency with digital publishing, editing, and collaboration tools. A solid understanding of journalistic standards, including AP-style, and experience managing or contributing to editorial workflows is highly desirable.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Troth Yeddha campus in Fairbanks Alaska.  This is a part-time, non-exempt student position. 

This is a student assistant 2 position, minimum starting pay is $18.50 per hour.

This is a pooled position and applications are reviewed as needed. Submission of an application does not guarantee review or a job offer.

The University of Alaska (UA) reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at the UA facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University's discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position's job duties.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kenna Metivier, Signers' Business Office at kjmetivier@alaska.edu or 907-474-1847

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 the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

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.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.