Michigan HERC

Position Summary:
WCC is searching for an energetic journalist who is interested in sharing their passion for the industry and guiding College journalists on the operations of a student run newspaper.  The Coordinator of the College Newspaper will work hand in hand with students on the daily functions  involved in the publication of the newspaper as well as provide oversight and guidance, training and development of student staff, and overall department management. In addition, this position is expected to develop, maintain, and implement training materials and operating procedures. The Coordinator of the WCC Student Newspaper reports to the Director of Student Development and Activities.

Estimated Primary Program Time Commitments:
• Ongoing WCCSN Scholarship Staff and Contributor Oversight and Guidance (50%)
• Post-Publication Review and Recommendations (20%)
• WCCSN Student Journalist Recruitment, Training and Program Development (15%)
• Technical Operations of Newsroom (15%)

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:
OVERSIGHT AND GUIDANCE
• Oversee student scholarship recipients, student contributors, and the advertising sales team to ensure a professional (positive, respectful, responsible) learning environment for participants.
• Ensure consistent publication of the print newspaper, news website, and social media channels through oversight of adherence to/completion of student scholarship responsibilities.
• Ensure student scholarship recipient responsibilities are organized to conduct independent, accountable content decision-making, copy-editing and fact-checking for all published works.
• Provide answers and advising (at-request) to the WCCSN Scholarship recipients and student contributors in regard to questions of Associated Press style, balance of content, journalistic accuracy, legal liability, responsibility, and adherence to the SPJ Code of Ethics/WCC Board of Trustees Policy.
• Provide guidance to student journalists in the areas of team leadership, procedure, and reporting, but do not participate in copyediting or sustentative pre-review of student-newspaper content.

POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW
• Complete a post-publication review of all newspaper and online content on a biweekly schedule (every two weeks) to provide insight, oversight and recommendations to the student journalists in regard to grammar, Associated Press style, and balance of content, journalistic accuracy, legal liability, responsibility and adherence to the SPJ Code of Ethics/WCC Board of Trustees Policy.
• Address all external concerns with the student journalists. Provide follow-up report to Director.
• Maintain ongoing oversight of newspaper circulation by recording the number of newspapers being recycled after each new issue hits stands. Provide follow-up report to Director.
• Maintain digital and print archives of published newspapers.

RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
• Collaborate with department heads and faculty in journalism, photography, graphic arts, broadcast arts, web design, business and other relevant programs to promote WCCSN scholarship, student contributor, and advertising sales opportunities. Recruit students and provide recommendations for WCCSN Scholarship recipients when candidates are identified.
• Accompany and chaperone student journalist to annual journalism association awards weekend conferences (two per year) when agency funds are available.
• Organize preparation and submission of articles for conference awards.
• Develop advertising sales procedure, annual prices, and promotional communications.
• Organize a comprehensive individual student journalist training program at the start of each Fall and Winter semester that emphasizes grammar, Associated Press style, and balance of content, journalistic accuracy, legal liability, responsibility and adherence to the SPJ Code of Ethics/WCC Board of Trustees Policy.
• Coordinate one faculty/industry expert training session each fall and winter semester.
• Assist Director in organizing participation at semester WCCSN Editorial Board Meetings.
• Coordinate technical operations of the WCCSN including: budget and agency account oversight, contributor contracts, advertising sales/revenues, equipment inventory, purchasing, newspaper printing and distribution – with support of the Student Development and Activities Department.

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT
• Coordinate marketing and promotion of all WCC Student Newspaper opportunities and ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information to students, staff and faculty.
• Coordinate advertising sales, receipts, and deposits; advise students on advertising decisions.
• Effectively communicate college policies, department procedures, and student responsibilities.
• Plan, organize, and document all programming in conjunction with the Student Development and Activities Program Planning & Assessment procedure.
• Collaborate with Technical Assistant on budgeting, purchasing, and financial record-keeping.
• Provide Director with weekly report on WCC Student Newspaper programming.
• Assist Director in annual program review, planning, and budget development.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Director.

Hours/Schedule:
This position works 10 months during the year (August through May), approximately 30 hours per week, giving you time to enjoy the summer break.  A full benefit package is offered including 12 month coverage of health and dental insurance, along with paid holidays and leave time during the 10 month working period.