Beacon Opinion Editor/Senior Reporter

Job Title

Beacon Opinion Editor/Senior Reporter

Stipend

$2000/year

Duties and Responsibilities

• This position is open to all UP students. However, preference is given to applicants with relevant experience.
• Serves on Editorial Board and attends Ed Board meetings on Wed. nights.
• Fulfills all reporter duties as listed in News (or sports) Reporter job description
• Plays leadership role as directed by adviser and editor-in-chief during Beacon Boot Camp training in August
• Presents wide range of relevant editorial topics to the Editorial Board for their consideration.
• Researches and writes fact-based Beacon editorial about once a month after consulting with Editorial Board. The approval of a simple majority is required before publication
• Performs reporting tasks necessary for preparing the editorial including interviewing sources when necessary
• Reaches out regularly to UP students, faculty and staff for thoughtful submissions on relevant topics, seeking varied, diverse and inclusive points of view
• Reads and fact checks submissions, and works with contributors to ensure submissions adhere to AP and Beacon style and provide meaningful content
• Posts all Opinion content and ensures the Beacon Opinion section is a respectful exchange of ideas, not allowing for personal attacks
• Oversees Beacon staff sign-up for weekly commentary writing. Makes a sign-up sheet at the beginning of each semester
• Arranges photographs of columnists
• Communicates with contributors if there are questions or concerns about their submission
• Strategizes creative ways to be a platform for opinions throughout the UP community, using digital tools to publish opinion polls, video and other forms of media
• Verifies identities of writers of all commentary and letters to the editor
• Stays up-to-date on local, national and international events as well as campus issues
• Reads the work of professional columnists regularly and other readings as recommended by the adviser
• Contributes two story ideas each week

General Qualifications and Requirements

• Must have at least a 3.0 GPA
• Has excellent writing and critical thinking skills
• Loves to read a variety of news and opinion articles
• Is insatiably curious, creative and proactive about learning
• Is a good listener as well as a natural leader
• Is dependable, considerate, ethical and emotionally mature
• Is culturally competent and strives for diversity and inclusion in the Opinion section
• Articulates opinions and a call-to-action in concise and persuasive writing
• Applies careful research and keen logic as well as emotion to editorial writing
• Manages time well; thrives on a busy schedule
• Must be able to handle stress well, including short deadlines
• Is diplomatic with community members who object to the editorial and all contributors
• Is willing to learn/try about multimedia as well as writing
• Is a go-getter, strives for excellence, naturally goes above-and-beyond what’s expected
• Collaborates and communicates well in a team setting
• Is open to instruction

Time Commitment and Availability

• Attends staff meetings Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:40 unless there is a conflict with a class and the editor approves the absence in advance. Staffers are strongly discouraged from registering for classes that meet during those time periods.
• The person in this position makes up part of The Beacon Editorial Board. In addition to Tuesday and Thursday all-staff meetings, Editorial Board members also have a required meeting on Wednesday nights at 7.
• Attends Beacon Boot Camp training in August