Colorado Mountain News Media job description | March 2012

JOB TITLE: Full-time Editor/Reporter, Rifle Citizen Telegram DEPARTMENT: Editorial ACCOUNTABILITY: Works independently in satellite office in Rifle, Colo., but reports to and collaborates closely with the Glenwood Springs Post Independent editor. PAY AND BENEFITS: Salaried position, with compensation commensurate to the position and dependent on experience and qualifications. Benefits include eligibility for the Swift Communications health, vision and dental insurance plan, for the 401-K savings plan, and other benefits offered on an annual basis depending on hire date. JOB SUMMARY: The editor will serve as the face and voice of the Citizen Telegram in the Rifle community, while overseeing all content in the newspapers print and online editions and social media presence. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Plan for and edit all editorial content, including staff-generated stories and photos, readersubmitted text and photos, and syndicated content. Actively follow community news and events to ensure the papers content is a timely reflection of what is happening in the community. Follow all accepted guidelines for journalistic ethics and for accuracy, fairness and balance in all newspaper and online content. Report and write three or more by-lined news or feature stories per issue, and take responsibility for coverage of major news beats. Take photos to illustrate stories and everyday living in the community, edit and prepare for publication. Supervise reporting stringers in choosing story topics, developing an approach to the story, and editing copy for placement. As the paper grows, be prepared to have direct supervision over a staff reporter. Coordinate with the Post Independents sports editor, photographer and news editor for content and coverage. Commentary page: Write a weekly personal column for the commentary page. As community issues warrant, demonstrate the papers role as an opinion leader by writing an editorial. Manage letters to the editor, interacting with letter-writers as needed, and formatting letters for timely publication. Plan for, capture and edit a weekly opinion column written by a local, state, or national columnist, and choose an appropriate, timely editorial cartoon. Work with the publisher and the advertising team on promotions, special sections and branding, providing editorial content as needed. Approve the page dummy for each edition in a timely manner, providing prompt feedback on desired changes in ad placement and collaborating with advertising and production staff.

Collaborate with pagination staff for layout of each edition. Prepare a detailed budget with page-by-page listings of the weeks content; review each page in Quark (this will shift to InDesign later in 2012) and fine tune as needed. Meet all deadlines in the workflow schedule. Post all local content to the Citizen Telegram website. Content can be posted to the website throughout the week; any content that is not advance-posted should be posted for the print pub date. Promote newspaper content and communicate with the community through social media platforms.

EDUCATION and SKILL REQUIREMENTS Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university At least three years of professional experience working in newspaper editorial department Ability to write and edit well-crafted and accurate stories on deadline Ability to manage and coach a staff reporter and stringers Thorough familiarity with Mac operating platform and these specific programs: Microsoft Word and Excel, Quark or InDesign, Photoshop Intermediate photography skills and ownership of an up-to-date digital camera INTER-RELATIONSHIPS Ability to collaborate as a team player with editorial, advertising and circulation staff throughout Swift Communications Ability to develop and maintain ethical working relationships with community leaders and residents Membership in a community civic organization such as Rotary or Lions Club WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS Requires some evening and weekend work Must live in or be willing to move to the 81650 (Rifle) or 81652 (Silt) ZIP code Must possess a valid Colorado drivers license and be a legal resident of the United States NEEDED ATTRIBUTES A strong interest in community journalism and a passion for news, features, sports and opinion A knack for storytelling and use of the language to write stories that sing A calm demeanor in the face of deadline pressures and changing conditions Drive and creativity to produce a well-read and successful community newspaper Ability to plan and prepare for changes in the paper and the company. Colorado Mountain News Media is in the process of a company-wide conversion of computers and software used for print and digital production. This will reach the Citizen Telegram in the fall of 2012. CMNM management is also considering the possibility of growing the Citizen Telegram to a twice-weekly publication and adding a reporting staff position. The editor will be a key player in this transition.