The Northern Light Executive Editor

The Northern Light is UAA’s student-run newspaper and explains issues that affect UAA while providing balanced coverage in representing students, staff, faculty and the greater community. The paper publishes stories online at www.thenorthernlight.org and in print – distributed throughout the UAA campus and the Anchorage community.

The executive editor is responsible for the overall management and operation of the student media organization, The Northern Light. The editor is to provide vision and direction to the news organization in the development and implementation of reporting, training, special events, staffing, recruitment, and relationship building with various constituencies. They are responsible for hiring, supervising, evaluating, and coordinating staff and contract reporters to deliver consistent and informative media coverage that engages the university community. The executive editor is responsible for budget management, including expenditures and revenue, as well as monitoring fiscal records and annual budget preparation in accordance with University policies and procedures. Other duties include equipment management and office management.

The executive editor works with advisors and the Media Board to ensure continuity in The Northern Light's operations and media coverage of the UAA community. The executive editor is the final reviewer for all copy and content submitted for publication. This position works in concert with the managing editor to oversee editorial content. The editor is responsible for covering job duties for any vacant position. This includes, but is not limited to: creating content, designing layout, copy editing, publishing content, generating and developing new revenue streams.

The executive editor will coordinate with the KRUA Station Manager to create opportunities for cross-collaboration and content-sharing.

To thrive in this role, applicants should have a passion for journalism, a strong commitment to upholding the principles of free speech, and a dedication to ethical reporting. They should possess excellent communication and time management skills, along with the ability to lead a newsroom and collaborate with a diverse team of writers, editors, and designers. Successful candidates should be comfortable with investigative reporting, fact-checking, and working under tight deadlines. They should be skilled in giving and receiving constructive feedback, fostering a newsroom culture that values accuracy, accountability, and journalistic integrity.

Applicants should have a working knowledge of media law, First Amendment rights, and the responsibilities of a student-run publication. Experience with AP Style, editorial leadership, and digital content management is highly desirable. Additionally, familiarity with spreadsheets, customer service, and basic graphic design is beneficial. The role requires confidence in reaching out to sources, conducting interviews, and engaging with the campus and broader community. Strong file management, organization, and an interest in both news media and public relations will be key to success in this position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidate must possess the ability to organize and supervise The Northern Light staff, as well as the ability to establish vision and goals for The Northern Light. Experience in journalism, management, training, supervision of staff, budgeting, event planning, and presenting. Candidate should be innovative, imaginative and motivating. 

Applicant must have the skills needed to report, write and edit news content, gather and analyze information, design pages using InDesign, update the website using Wordpress, utilize social media platforms, and understand professional publishing practices for print and online media. Candidate must have the aptitude to use tools related to the production of The Northern Light, such as computers, cameras, scanners, and other equipment. Familiarity with software such as Microsoft Word, Slack, Photoshop, Wordpress and InDesign is desired, along with knowledge of Associated Press (AP) style and modern grammar. 

Other qualifications include the successful completion of college-level editing, communications law, and news reporting courses or equivalent experience. Demonstrated experience with print and online production or equivalent media production is crucial along with the ability to work with minimal supervision, to effectively communicate in a diverse environment, and to deal with the public in a diplomatic manner. Team-building skills are required in this position and shall be applied in regard to staff members as well as student media partners. Knowledge of ethical standards demanded within the industry, First Amendment rights and legal issues are essential. 

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), be in good academic standing, 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.

Position Details:

Applicants can expect to work up to 30 hours per week.

Pay is $17.00 per hour.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a successful candidate is identified.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Micah Perino, at mjperino@alaska.edu.

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.

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.