POSITION SEARCH: Applicants For Cougar Chronicle Editor-in-Chief Position 2016-2017

SUMMARY OF OVERALL ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Editor(s)-in-chief is/are the highest-ranking member of the student staff who must possess some training in journalism as well as at least one year of writing for The Cougar Chronicle or equivalent experience prior to appointment. They are responsible for the entire editorial content of the newspaper—from comics and advertising, to hard news and editorial—they must ensure that each editorial item is suitable for publication and that all advertising meets professional standards.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

News Reporting/Community Outreach

• Consistent investigation of breaking news on campus
• Regular communication with student organizations, campus organizations, and campus departments
• Meetings with administration, faculty, and staff regarding campus news and issues
• Building relationships with as many members of the campus community as possible
• Writing breaking news stories for the News section and front page
• Mentoring editors and writers on how to write ethical, investigative news stories
• Mentoring photo editors and photographers on capturing breaking news images
• Maintaining a presence at summer orientations and tabling fairs

Content Generation/Editing

• Develop story ideas and run sheets for issues two to four weeks in advance
• Working with Layout Editors on designing each edition of The Cougar Chronicle
• Brainstorming topic ideas with editors and writers
• Be available to work with core CC staff every other Tuesday on putting together final touches of each edition
• Maintaining the highest possible standard in content, readability, and design
• Working with Copy Editors to assess any issues of libel, AP Style errors, and mechanics in writing/photography featured in each edition
• 13-15 hours of copy editing every other weekend

Management/Leadership

• Recruitment of CC members each semester
• Overseeing a team of anywhere from 20-60 student members in a semester
• Working with the Faculty Director, Faculty Advisor, and Administrative Coordinator to handle budget, printing, distribution, and training
• Serving on relevant campus committees to represent The CC in campus affairs
• Maintaining an organized and efficient newsroom
• Leading a weekly reporters meeting during U-hour on Tuesdays to plan stories
• Setting an example of professionalism and work ethic
• Building solid skills in listening, communication, organization, and trouble-shooting
• Reporting weekly to the Faculty Advisor on the status of newspaper operations and regularly to the Faculty Director

Criteria for consideration during the application period include the following:

• Leadership abilities
• Personality, ability to work with others
• Work ethic and availability (hours are long)
• Writing and editing abilities
• News judgment
• Deadline performance
• Knowledge of journalism/newspaper production and media law
• Attention to detail

Please click below for application: 

SPRING16EICAPPLICATION