Western News and Info Hiring for Associate Editor – Verde Valley at Verde, AZ Full Time

Position Summary:
Produces and edits news pages with an emphasis on local news and features in print and online as assigned by the Editor. Produces and edits appropriate special sections as assigned by Editor. Directs activities of news reporter as assigned by Editor.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in the coordination of day-to-day activities of the editorial department. Plans and implements workflow of editorial department including special sections as assigned by the editor.
• Coordinates training and ongoing learning experiences for editorial staff as directed by the Editor. Enforces policies, rules, and procedures of WNI.
• Produces and uploads material as needed for the publications’ websites. Maintains updated information on the website by changing/adding content between publishing dates. Generate ideas to improve Web content and monitors article comments.
• Designs and lays out pages for newspapers and other related products to prescribed quality standards. Edits stories write headlines, selects photos, and paginates pages. Approves final pages with management for publication.
• Covers new events, researches, and writes accurate stories for the newspapers and related products. Represents company at community events and has membership in civic organizations. Speaks to local civic groups as needed.
• Writes editorials and opinion columns for the newspapers with approval by management. Consults with management on all delicate, controversial, and legally questionable matters.
• Takes news, feature, video, and stand-alone photos with cameras provided.
• Writes headlines for stories, selects photos for stories.
• Manages the newsroom in the absence of the editor.
• Seeks and maintains active and open communication between the newspaper and the community with assistance from management. Attends staff meetings.
• Exceeds customers’ expectations in a courteous and professional manner. A customer is anyone who contributes directly or indirectly to the revenues of the organization.
• Basic knowledge of office equipment including computers, email, fax machines, scanners, and copiers. Types 50 words per minute accurately.

Other Responsibilities:

• Participates in company safety policies and procedures.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing any customer service-related duties to the desired results as needed.
• Cross trains in other jobs for backup purposes and related duties as assigned by management.
• If the essential functions of the position require the employee to drive, they must provide and drive a vehicle, possess a valid driver’s license and the necessary amount of auto insurance.

Language Skills:
Ability to read, write, speak and comprehend basic instructions verbally and in writing.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands of the job may include bending, sitting, standing, lifting, climbing, and driving:
• Must be able to lift up to 25lbs.
• Physical demands are typical of an office environment.

Education, experience, and skills required:

• Journalism degree or commensurate experience.
• Management experience desirable.
• Extensive reporting, writing, and editing experience desired.
• Excellent spelling, proofreading, and knowledge of Associated Press style required.
• Strong verbal and customer relations skills.
• Good organizational skills.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations of the work environment may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level, smells, and lighting in the work environment is usually moderate with the exception of the print facilities. The company follows all state and federal regulations pertaining to employee welfare.

General Comments:
This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).