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 _____Hispanic _____Asian/Pacific Islander ____American Indian/Alaskan Native _____African American Academic Information

List your undergraduate major ______

If you listed journalism/communication, indicate your emphasis or concentration ______Advertising ______Public Relations ______Visual _____ Design ______Broadcasting ______Online ______Multimedia _____ Print

Which of the following courses have you taken or will have completed by the end of the Spring semester? ______Beg. Newswriting ______Inter. Newswriting ______Advanced Newswriting ______Feature Writing ______Opinion Writing ______Sports Writing ______Copy Editing ______Newspaper Design ______Online Editing ______Yearbook Design ______Magazine Design ______Video Editing

Practical Journalistic Experience Have you ever worked for a high school, college or professional (newspaper, yearbook or literary magazine)? ______Yes ______No Name of Publication ______

Check duties performed _____ Copy Editing _____ Reporting _____Design _____ HTML Coding _____ Photography _____Proofreader

Check all of the positions that you have held on a staff

_____ Executive Editor _____ Managing Editor ______Copy Desk Chief _____Columnist _____ Content Editor _____ Design Editor ______Photo Editor _____Reporter _____ Feature Writer _____ Art Critics ______Columnist _____Copy Editor

How many hours a week do you plan to devote to this endeavor if you are selected to lead the staff?

_____ 1-5 hours _____ 6-10 hours _____ 11-15 hours _____ 16-20 hours _____ 21-25 hours _____25-30 hours _____ 31-35 hours

Are you serving as a stringer or freelancer for a professional newspaper, magazine or online publication? ______Yes ______No Name of Publication ______

If so, how many stories, on the average are published during a month? ______

Indicate in which of the following areas you have better than average skills:

______Proficient in hypertext markup language (HTML) _____ Proficient with graphics and page design ______Proficient in page layout, graphics and design _____ Proficient in computer generated charts ______Proficient in reporting, writing and editing _____ Proficient in photos and photo editing ______Proficient in marketing or telemarketing _____ Proficient in sales and advertising ______Proficient in video and video editing _____ Proficient in public affairs and promotion

Indicate why you believe that you would be the best person to fill this position ______Academic Information (Continued)

Junior High School Attended ______

Senior High School Attended ______

University Attended ______

Personal Information

Have you ever been convicted of a crime (other than a traffic violation) or been imprisoned during the last seven years? A conviction will not necessarily bar you from employment. ______Yes ______No If yes, explain: ______

Names of friends or relatives that are employed by The Hornet Tribune ______

Employment History (Begin with most recent employer)

1. Employer ______Dates Employed ______

Address ______Telephone ______

City ______State ______Zip Code ______

Beginning Salary ______Ending Salary ______Position held ______

Reason for Leaving ______

2. Employer ______Dates Employed ______

Address ______Telephone ______

City ______State ______Zip Code ______

Beginning Salary ______Ending Salary ______Position held ______

Reason for Leaving ______

3. Employer ______Dates Employed ______

Address ______Telephone ______

City ______State ______Zip Code ______

Beginning Salary ______Ending Salary ______Position held ______

Reason for Leaving ______Military Service

Branch of Service ______

Dates of Service ______

Duties/Special Training ______

Additional Information

Do you have any disabilities that may require special accommodations on the part of The Hornet Tribune staff in order for you to function efficiently? ______Yes ______No If yes, please elaborate ______

References List the name, title, address, email address, office and home telephone numbers of two people (professors, former high school teachers (no relatives) who are familiar with the abilities that are needed for the job in which you are applying. Be sure to include area codes for telephone numbers and zip codes for addresses. Student Media Board members will call them during the selection process so please be sure they are aware that you have listed them as references. Do not list peers as references.

1. Name ______Title ______

Home Address ______

City ______State ______Zip Code ______

Home Telephone ______Office Telephone ______

Email Address ______Fax #______

2. Name ______Title ______

Home Address ______

City ______State ______Zip Code ______

Home Telephone ______Office Telephone ______

Email Address ______Fax #______

Applicant’s Statement (Signature Required)

I have read all of the information pertaining to The Hornet Tribune and if selected by the Student Media Board, I agree to honor my commitment to complete my year as an administrative editor unless I become medically disabled. All of the information I have given in this application is true.

Signature ______Date ______CHECKLIST

The following materials must be submitted in order for you to be considered for a staff reporter/writer position on any of the aforementioned staffs:

______1. Administrative Editor Staff Application

______2. A typed resume’ listing all colleges you have attended, all major jobs you have held since junior high school. We will look for the name, address and telephone numbers of the company that employed you, the names of your supervisor, the type of work you performed and the dates you were employed.

______3. A high school or college transcript or a typed list of all of your journalism courses with grades will also suffice.

______4. A 500-word Essay. This two-page essay must be typed and double spaced.

______5. Student Media Board Constitution Examination Score.

Please make duplicants of all hard copies that you submit

Your Essay . . . An Important Part of the Student Media Board’s Decision Your 500-word essay must be typed in an easy-to-read typewriter or com- puter print font. It is permissible to make minor editing marks, should you spot errors while proofreading.

Often, panelists read and re-read an essay when deciding which students will advance to the finalist’ stage. Therefore, it is important to write a well- organized, straightforward piece.

TOPIC: Write an essay describing how do you feel the legalization of gay marriage will affect the institution of marriage as well as children within these unions. BE SURE TO TYPE YOUR FULL NAME AT THE TOP OF EACH PAGE OF YOUR ESSAY.

Please staple the essay to this page