Editorial Position Descriptions

Transcription

1 Daily Titan Employment Application The Daily Titan is an independent student news organization committed to serving the public and providing a valuable experience to those who work here. Working at the Daily Titan arms students with journalism experience and skills that allow them to grow personally and professionally. Staff members build resumes, cultivate portfolios of published work and make connections that serve them beyond their time at Cal State Fullerton. The Daily Titan has functioned as a public forum since 1960 and is one of a small number of daily student news organizations in the country. The Daily Titan operates independently of the College of Communications, Associated Students Inc., the Cal State Fullerton administration and the California State University system. This document includes descriptions of editorial positions at the Daily Titan, frequently asked questions and instructions on how to apply. If you have any questions, feel free to the Editor-in-Chief at editorinchief@dailytitan.com. Editorial Position Descriptions All applicants should have a strong understanding of journalistic standards and ethics. All staff members should also be prepared and willing to report stories and create content. With the exception of Features Editor, A&E Editor, Assistant Editors and Webmaster, all positions are required to be in the newsroom Sun.-Wed. from 3 p.m. until the paper is sent to the printer, as well as outside of production hours as needed. Each of the following positions except Assistant Editor comes with a scholarship, unless the student is enrolled in COMM 471. Managing Editor The Managing Editor (ME) is the Daily Titan s second-in-command and is in charge of logistics and personnel. The ME reports to the Editor-in-Chief and is responsible for assisting in overseeing production, which includes aiding staff with editorial duties and getting the paper out on time. The ME is also responsible for resolving conflicts as they arise. The EIC may delegate some of his or her responsibilities to the ME if necessary.

2 News Editor The News Editor is responsible for print, web and social media news content at the Daily Titan. This editor is in charge of finding stories, planning content and coordinating the production of that content. The News Editor should be ready to coach reporters as needed. Copy Editor The Copy Editor is responsible for maintaining the grammar, punctuation and compliance with AP Style of all stories that appear in print and online. The Copy Editor also plays a role in detecting errors and ensuring accuracy. Sports Editor The Sports Editor is responsible for print, web and social media sports content at the Daily Titan. This editor is required to find stories, plan content and coordinate the production of that content. The Sports Editor should also be prepared to coach reporters as needed. Working knowledge of a wide variety of sports is preferred. Opinion Editor The Opinion Editor is responsible for opinion content on the web, in print and on social media. He or she is required to come up with topics, plan content and coordinate the production of that content. This includes coaching writers as needed. The Opinion Editor is also responsible for facilitating editorials and the publishing of letters to the editor. This editor must take care to distinguish the opinion page from news content. Knowledge of campus issues, higher education issues, current events and politics is Arts and Entertainment Editor The Arts and Entertainment Editor is responsible for print, web and social media A&E content. He or she is required to find stories, plan content and coordinate the production of that content. The A&E Editor should also be prepared to coach reporters as needed. The ability to work production shifts Sunday and Tuesday is Features Editor The Features Editor is responsible for print (twice a week), web and social media features content. He or she is required to find stories, plan content and coordinate the production of that content. The Features Editor should also be prepared to coach reporters as needed. The ability to work production shifts Monday and Wednesday is Social Media Editor The Social Media Editor is responsible for managing the content posted on the Daily Titan s social media platforms. He or she works with section editors to ensure a consistent presence on social media and the effective promotion of Daily Titan content. The Social Media Editor should know how to monitor analytics to better disseminate content. The Social Media is also required to cover events, train reporters and formulate social media campaigns to complement editorial content and interaction with readers.

3 Layout Editor The Layout Editor is responsible for communicating with editors and photographers to determine the page design throughout the print edition of the Daily Titan. He or she should monitor the budget and plan design elements in coordination with editors. The Layout Editor also has a hand in deciding what stories feature on the front page. The Layout Editor uses Adobe InDesign and other software in the Adobe suite to design the paper. Knowledge of these programs is Multimedia Editor The Multimedia Editor is responsible for working with staff members to create and edit multimedia elements that appear on the web and social media. This includes coming up with story ideas, monitoring the budget and coordinating with editors to delegate multimedia stories. They are also responsible for checking out multimedia equipment and ensuring that it returns in a safe and timely manner. The Multimedia Editor must also be prepared to train reporters on how to produce content on digital mediums. Multimedia experience is Photo Editor The Photo Editor is responsible for taking photos, editing photos and coordinating photographers for the Daily Titan. He or she monitors the budget and communicates with the layout and section editors to provide photography that matches the content. The Photo Editor also serves as liaison between freelance photographers and the Daily Titan. This editor should be prepared to train reporters on how to take photos. Photography experience is Illustrator The Illustrator is responsible for working with section editors to plan and create graphics for print, web and social media content. Graphics will range from simple graphs, to full page designs to cartoons. Knowledge of pertinent Adobe Suite programs (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) is Webmaster The Webmaster is responsible for all issues concerning the functionality of the Daily Titan website. The Webmaster works to improve and develop new features for the Daily Titan online. He or she is tasked with maintaining the technical functions of the website. The Webmaster must coordinate with the Daily Titan advertising department. Experience with back and front end web development and the ability to work varying hours in the newsroom during production Sunday through Wednesday, as well as outside of production hours if need be, is Assistant Editors Assistant editors work closely with editors to aid in all aspects of production. This includes managing budgets, coordinating with reporters, updating web and social media platforms and editing and producing content. Every editorial position except ME may have an assistant editor.

4 Frequently Asked Questions What s the difference between editors and assistant editors? Editors are the leaders of the section they are responsible for. He or she receives a scholarship for the time and energy put into their work at the newsroom. Editors are required to work in the newsroom every single day of the four-day production week, with the exception of Features and A&E editors. Assistant editors assist the editor in all aspects of production, gaining valuable newsroom experience. Assistants are a crucial part of the newsroom, but do not carry as much responsibility as editors. While assistants do not receive money, they only have to work in the newsroom two days of the four-day production week. What if I have time conflicts? Time conflicts will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Feel free to apply for a position but be sure to make the interviewing editors aware of other demands on your time and how they may interfere with your Daily Titan work schedule. The editor may have a compromise in mind or find a way to otherwise work with your schedule. What kind of students are you looking for? We are looking for students who are driven, responsible and committed. Prospective staff members should be self-motivated by a desire to grow personally and professionally and do excellent journalism. What are the benefits? Joining the Daily Titan allows students to gain valuable experience writing, editing, producing and promoting content. It provides staff members with something concrete to add to a resume or portfolio. The experience is applicable to several disciplines beyond journalism, including public relations and marketing (although Daily Titan alumni have joined the staffs of respected publications after graduation.) Daily Titan staff members who are also enrolled in Comm 471 also have their grading requirement reduced.

5 Application Instructions: Spring 2017 Editorial Staff To apply, submit this completed application and attached documents via to the Daily Titan Editor-in-Chief at and Prof. Bonnie Stewart at Deadlines: The deadline to apply for Managing Editor is Friday, December 16, This position will be filled immediately. You are encouraged to apply for all other positions by that date as well, but the deadline for those positions will be open until all positions are filled. Name: Major: Intended Graduation Date: Cell Phone: What position(s) are you applying for? See list of editorial positions. If needed, list positions in order of preference: List communications courses completed: Please attach a resume (cover letter optional) and responses to the following questions. Answer each question in 200 words or fewer: 1. List and discuss previous school-related or professional experience pertinent to the position you are applying for. 2. Why do you want to join the Daily Titan? 3. What are a few specific strengths and weaknesses of the Daily Titan? 4. What are your top priorities/goals for the position you are applying for? For those applying for writing positions: Include a few writing samples (links to published work, if possible) with your responses. For those applying for illustrator, photo or multimedia positions: Provide work samples pertinent to the position you are applying for with your responses.