Layout Editor for The Sun Star

We're seeking a creative, organized, and detail-oriented candidate with an eye for design and a passion for producing engaging print and digital content. Part-time enrollment at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is required. Experience with graphic design, newspaper or magazine layout, student publications, or digital media production is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency with Adobe InDesign, strong computer skills, and familiarity with web publishing platforms or digital content management systems.

The Layout Editor is responsible for the visual presentation and production of The Sun Star across print, digital, and email platforms while supporting the publication's advertising and revenue efforts. Working closely with the Editor-in-Chief and editorial staff, the Layout Editor designs and assembles the weekly print newspaper, formats articles for publication on uafsunstar.com, and produces the publication's weekly email newsletter.

In addition to publication design, the Layout Editor manages the newspaper's advertising workflow by communicating with current and prospective advertisers, coordinating advertisement placement, and ensuring all advertising materials meet production deadlines and publication standards. This position plays an essential role in maintaining The Sun Star's professional appearance, strengthening reader engagement, and supporting the financial sustainability of the publication.

The Layout Editor works closely with editors, writers, photographers, advertisers, and campus partners to produce each publication while balancing multiple deadlines and maintaining a high level of accuracy. This position also requires professional communication skills to coordinate advertising placements, answer client questions, and work effectively with local businesses and campus organizations. Previous customer service, sales, marketing, or advertising experience is beneficial but not required. The ideal candidate is dependable, adaptable, able to work independently, and contributes positively to a collaborative newsroom environment. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must be enrolled as a UA student taking a minimum of 6 credits per semester with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or a newly enrolled student.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska campus in Fairbanks.  This is a part-time, student assistant position, starting rate of pay is $17.00 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.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kellsey Huizenga, Signers' Business Office HR Coordinator, at kehuizenga@alaska.edu or 907-474-5365.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

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.