The Daily Utah Chronicle – Asst. Opinion Editor
Junior Leadership scholarship position — This position is awarded a scholarship for only Spring 2024. Chosen applicants will serve for one semester and applications will open again for the 2024-25 school year. All scholarships are determined by position, time commitment, responsibility and financial budget. Specific questions about scholarship amounts may be directed to Josh Petersen – [email protected] or via Teams.
The Opinion Editor and EIC selects a student to be awarded a scholarship to serve as Assistant Opinion Editor of The Daily Utah Chronicle.
Expectations & Duties:
Assist Opinion Editor in all duties as follows:
- Along with the Opinion Editor, recruit and maintain a team of 5-15 opinion writers in consultation with the EIC. Responsible for making sure the writers receive onboarding and proper training prior to publication.
- Train writers adequately in AP style, interviewing techniques, journalistic practices and Chronicle technologies (WordPress and Teams).
- Brainstorm stories and actively seek out current University of Utah content and assign stories and beats to writers. The editor doesn’t shy away from controversial topics, but doesn’t let one political or ideological viewpoint hold sway in the section.
- Work with photographers on assignments
- Fills out monthly print budgets and weekly online budgets.
- Read and correct all copy edits in the given section for statistics, names, grammar, style, spelling, clarity, accuracy and length, ensuring they are submitted in time to meet both print and online deadlines.
- Write content for the section as needed
- Come to all editorial board meetings with ample story ideas.
- Coordinate opinion columns with news stories whenever possible.
- Hold weekly desk meetings for planning and training and regular one-on-one training with writers, to go over errors and arguments.
- Hold regular check-ins with the executive editorial team and be available for meetings when required.
- Look at the Daily Utah Chronicle’s print and online editions daily and bring any problems to the attention of the EIC and other managing editors.
- Respond to problems or grievances with opinion content or writers in a timely, responsible and mature manner.
- When necessary, address performance problems from writers. When writers are not fulfilling their duties to the fullest of their expectations, hold a private meeting and give them a verbal warning while making an effort to help them improve. If this does not solve the problem within a two-week period, there should be a formal meeting with the writer that includes the editor-in-chief.
- Verify the source of all letters, including identity, status, connection with the U, and knowledge of our right to edit.
- Lead the creation of editorials from the Editorial Board.
- Collaborates with the Multimedia Editor and Social Media Manager to support podcasts, video, social media and other content promoting the opinion desk.
- Coordinate regularly with the Opinion Editor to divide responsibilities and determine how to most effectively maintain the content flow of their team.
- Expect to dedicate 20-25 hours per week to this position, aware that some weeks may require more time commitment than others.
Qualifications:
- Previous work and/or education and training in journalism and opinion writing. Preference given to applicants with prior experience at the Chronicle.
- Experience in writing for different audiences and settings, such as entertainment, business, and journalism.
- Understanding and working knowledge of necessary software and tools used in digital and print publishing.
- Experience or knowledge of media marketing and content distribution, particularly in the fields of social media and community outreach.
- Demonstrated leadership and/or previous management experience preferred.
- Content management, audience engagement, editing, or other similar experience preferred.
- Must be enrolled student progressing satisfactorily towards a degree.
- Major or minor in mass communication, journalism, strategic communication, or similar preferred.
Application Process:
Applicants for this position will be reviewed during December 2023 and interviews will be scheduled by the Opinion Editor and Editor-in-Chief.
The position is open until filled. The experiential learning term is December 2023 – April 2024. Please fill out the application below and follow all instructions for submitting the application and providing the necessary portfolio and documentation.
Use this form to apply now: