The Daily Utah Chronicle – Asst. Opinion Editor 

Junior Leadership scholarship position – This position is awarded a scholarship for 2023-2024. All scholarships are determined by position, time commitment, responsibility, and financial budget determined in April. Specific questions about scholarship amounts may be directed to Josh Petersen- [email protected]

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 opinion writers in consultation with the EIC. Responsible for making sure their team of news writers receives onboarding and proper training prior to writing.
    • Train writers adequately in AP style, interviewing techniques, journalistic practices, and Chronicle technologies (WordPress and Slack).
  • Brainstorm stories, actively seek out current University of Utah content and assign stories and beats to writers, including recaps, previews, Head-to-Head, and other opinion-specific series. Doesn’t shy away from controversial topics, but doesn’t let one political viewpoint hold sway in the section.
  • Work with photographers on assignments and with production through the layout process.
  • Fill out print budget monthly, and online budget weekly.
  • 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.
  • Come to all editorial board meetings and participate in group discussions.
  • Coordinates opinion columns with hot 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.
  • Look at The Daily Utah Chronicle’s print and online editions daily and bring any problems to the attention of the editor-in-chief, and other managing editors.
  • Respond to problems or grievances with opinion content or writers in a timely, responsible, mature manner.
  • Manage contributors on desk to make sure they are fulfilling their duties and appropriately working with them to find solutions when they are not doing so.
  • Verifies the source of all letters, including identity, status, connection with the U, and knowledge of our right to edit.
  • Coordinate regularly with the assistant opinion editor to divide responsibilities and determine how to most effectively maintain the content flow of their team.

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 spring 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 May 2023 through 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: