Administrative Editor STAFF APPLICATION
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The Hornet Tribune ADMINISTRATIVE EDITOR STAFF APPLICATION REVISED JUNE 2016 Job Summaries for Administrative Editors: General Assignment Editor, Special Assignment Editor, Special Sections Editor, Recruitment Editor and Public Editor General Assignment Editor The General Assignment Editor distributes news coverage assignments to the reporters each week. Newsrooms are fast-paced, collaborative work environments, and general assignment editors are essential in coordinating reporters and photographers to cover breaking news and meet produc- tion deadlines. In addition, they assist their news team in coming up with story ideas and gathering information. Based on their news judgment and the preferences of readers in their market, general assignment editors search for news by listening to police scanners, accessing news wire services and using social media websites. They also develop and maintain contacts with law enforcement and fire departments, local government and community organizations to stay updated on current events. Special Assignment Editor The Special Assignment Editor is tasked with the responsibility of editing special assignments as as- signed by the executive editor and leading a specialized team of investigative reporters. There are occasions when breaking news coverage of special news coverage becomes necessary for The Hornet Tribune staff. The Special Assignment Editor ensures that all special assignments are covered. Special Sections Editor The Special Sections Editor will manage special sections of The Hornet Tribune like Welcome Back, Homecoming, Magic City Classic, Turkey Day Classic, Founders’ Week and Commencement. The ideal candidate will have a passion for connecting with readers and new ideas to ensure that spe- cial publications are fresh and relevant. In addition, special sections editors assign stories to staff and freelance writers and edit their material; write articles and columns in a distinctive and en- gaging voice; work closely with photo and art directors to assemble a compelling visual package; work with advertising managers to ensure that special sections meet client needs; and thrive under deadline pressure in a high-energy, collaborative newsroom. Recruitment Editor The Recruitment Editor recruits new reporters, writers and editors for the newspaper. Design and implement overall recruiting strategy, develop and update job descriptions and job specifications, perform job and task analysis to document job requirements and objectives, prepare and post jobs to appropriate job board/newspapers/colleges etc., source and attract candidates by using databases, social media etc.; screen candidates resumes and job applications; conduct interviews using various reliable personnel selection tools/methods to filter candidates within schedule; assess applicants’ relevant knowledge, skills, soft skills, experience and aptitudes; onboard new employees in order to become fully integrated. Public Editor The Public Editor works outside of the reporting and editing structure of the newspaper and receives and answers questions or comments from readers and the public, principally about news and other coverage. The job of the public editor is to supervise the implementation of proper journalism ethics at a newspaper, and to identify and examine critical errors or omissions, and to act as a liaison to the public. Public editors do this primarily through a regular feature on a newspaper’s editorial page. However, a newspaper with a high standard of ethics would not fire a public editor for a criticism of the paper; the act would contradict the purpose of the position and would itself be a very likely cause for public concern. The Selection Process for Administrative Editors To be selected as an administrative editor examination covering basic skills that editors use for The Hornet Tribune is a monumental achieve- every day. Areas of coverage include Associat- ment and is relatively one of the higher hon- ed Press Style, ethics, headline writing, sensitivity ors that a student can receive while attending and taste, grammar, spelling, copyediting sym- Alabama State University. Any student who is bols and legal issues. selected must have worked for at least one se- THE ESSAY: The essay of each finalist is mester on a media staff or support unit before he read, graded and averaged by the Selection or she can be considered for this position unless Committee members. It usually receives special this requirement is waived by the Student Media attention in the final evaluation. The purpose of Board. the essay is three-fold: (1) to get an idea of how The Selection Committee is made up of the applicant writes and develops a story; (2) to the Student Expression and Multimedia Coordi- take a look at the applicant’s critical thinking nator, the editor-in-chief and the staff adviser. and analysis skills and (3) to measure the unique- The process is divided into preliminary and final ness of his or her responses. stages unless the number of applications re- After all criteria are considered, the Selec- ceived is very low. tion Committee determines which finalists to in- Selection of finalists for the managing edi- terview by telephone or in person. That decision tor or chief operations officer is based upon the is made by re-evaluating all parts of each final- following criteria: ist’s application and includes telephone calls to STUDENT’S JOURNALISTIC BACKGROUND teachers and others listed as references on the AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE (OPTIONAL): This application form. Two references are required. rating illustrates the candidate’s commitment to INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: Here are some of scholarship. It consists of a look at the courses the interview questions that have been asked in the applicant has taken and the grades earned the past of candidates who applied for an ad- in high school or college. List the journalism or ministrative editor position: Why do you want English courses taken in high school and college to be an administrative editor for The Hornet Tri- (journalism) on a separate sheet of paper and bune? What do you believe you can bring to submit them with this application. In addition, the position in terms of skills, attitude and goals? the Selection Committee would like to review What have you done in the past that demon- any articles or submissions that were authored by strates you would be an asset to this publication, you and published at Alabma State University, and if selected, and what will you do to move it high school or any other university publication. forward? STUDENT MEDIA BOARD CONSTITUTION Each applicant should prepare well as EXAMINATION: This is a 120-minute examina- your responses will weigh heavily on the decision tion covering the contents of the Student Media made for the position being sought. Board Constitution. Every administrative editor RESUME: The resume’ will be carefully who works for The Hornet Tribune must under- analyzed to determine how much time and ef- stand the function of the Student Media Board fort has been given to its preparation. Remem- and the relationship between the Student Media ber, first impressions are lasting and in a situation Board and the various staffs that it manages and where several people are competing for a posi- oversees. tion, your resume’ may be the deciding factor. The person who monitors the examination Therefore, ensure that your resume is clean, mod- will hand you a sheet of specific instructions to ernized and without errors. Resume’s submitted read before the start of the timed examination. with errors will be trashed. You will be allowed to keep these instructions Any employment experiences that relate with you as you take the examination. A score to journalism or media should also be included of “70” or above is required on this examination on the resume with detailed information regard- in order to be considered for this position. ing references and time periods for holding the EDITOR’S EXAMINATION: This is a one hour respective jobs. We wish you much success. The Hornet Tribune Administrative Editor STAFF APPLICATION OFFICE USE ONLY Interview 1. _________ Grades 2. _________ Essay 3. _________ Constitution Examination 4. _________ Resume’ 5. _________ TOTAL _________ Name ________________________________________________________________________________ Last First Middle Gender: ______ Male _______ Female Classification ________________________________ Phone number(s) where you can be reached easily: ____________________________________________ Are you a U.S. citizen? ______ Yes ______No SID#_________________________________ Home/Permanent Address Address ______________________________________________________ Apartment #_____________ City________________________________________State _____________Zip Code ________________ Telephone __________________________________Cell Phone _________________________________ Email Address_________________________________Web Address ______________________________ University Mailing Address Address ______________________________________________________ Apartment #_____________ City________________________________________State _____________Zip Code ________________ Telephone __________________________________Cell Phone _________________________________ Email Address_________________________________Web Address ______________________________ Personal Information The Hornet Tribune makes a special effort to attract applicants who are members of racial or ethnic minority groups. Please check one category: ____Caucasian