Sports Editor, Idaho Falls, ID

If you understand how important the sports page is to recruiting and keeping readers, you will be the next sports editor at the Post Register in Idaho Falls, Idaho. We are seeking a talented teammate to join an experienced cadre of editors who have consistently led one of the best small newspapers in the Northwest. Prefer a successful sports editor from a smaller daily or an ASE eager to run her or his own sports section. (Willing to consider applications from a top-flight, experienced sportswriter with proven leadership and organizational skills.) Finalists will demonstrate they are successful planners, good communicators and able to paginate vivid, fun sports covers using Quark. Also imperative: determination to teach and to lead by example; professional customer relations habits and clarity about the importance of readers’ needs vs. sportswriters' interests. We are employee owned (i.e., no idiot MBAs from afar). Our publisher came out of this newsroom, (= reasonable profit expectations and high quality standards). Editor pay buys the good life here. (It’s not a trendy tourist town.) Why editors stay: Rewarding work at an independent operation. Freedom to experiment. Management that cares about the town the paper serves. When we say award-winning, here's what we mean: 2005 Scripps Howard national journalism award (a $10,000 prize last won by the Dallas Morning News); Best small paper in three states (regional AP awards) and numerous state press club 1sts. Here's some of our recent project work...http://www.postregister.com/special/ Veteran staff stay because of low crime, reasonable home prices, no traffic. Powder skiing at Targhee and Jackson Hole; boating and fly fishing on the great trout rivers of the northern Rockies; hiking and camping in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. That's why Outdoor Life and Outside rate ours a top Rockies hometown. Our readers devour prep sports at 22 schools, groan over regional college teams and love their hometown semi-pro baseball team. Sports has a staff of three writers, a good stringer budget, the best sports shooter in five states and can rely on help from the copy desk to always make deadline. Serious applications only, from people ready to move, please. We intend to fill this position expeditiously. Have the Big Talk with your barrista, dog, wife, kid or mum, then make tracks for a great paper in God’s country. Send thoughtful letter, resume, list of references, writing clips, design clips and any other relevant materials to Monte LaOrange Executive Editor The Post Register 333 Northgate Mile Idaho Falls, ID 83402

 

Rumors out of this shop in the last year that they are thinking of doing away with the traditional sports section and replacing it with a lot of community and youth sports.
I'm glad the SE got out, he is a good guy.

 

I don't know the lay of the land, but I can't think the 22 high schools would approve of such a move, unless you're counting high schools as part and parcel with "community and youth sports."

Plus, while I'd understand why they wouldn't cover Boise State, Idaho State and Ricks College are right on top of Idaho Falls. Can't think their readership would go for hyperlocal.

Stranger things have happened in this biz, though ... especially the past year.

 

I can't fathom even considering the decision and they may have backed off this theory somewhat, but that was the rumor I had heard.
They cover Idaho State pretty heavily, but I don't think BYU-Idaho (formerly Ricks College) has sports, but I could be wrong.

 

Dang, I just saw Mitch the other day. Congrats to him for getting out of that mess.

Anybody know where he went?

 

BYU-Idaho dumped sports when they went four-year. They do have a Pioneer League squad.

 

They also cover Jazz games now and again, as well as BYU games.

 

I'm the one leaving and creating this opening, so if you have any questions or want any more details, PM me.

 

Mitch is a good guy. Hope all is well with him.

I know the town well, too. The paper has been pretty good at times in the past. The guy who writes the job ads, though, is as full of himself as anyone I've ever met in the business. An ego like none other.

 

The scary thing is, "God's country" might sound like a funny little joke, but they really mean it in Southeast Idaho.

 

Indeed, you are correct. Though, in this particular case, my boss is referring to the awesome scenery within view in pretty much any direction (one of the things I'll miss about this area). But, yeah. This is a highly religious area -- there are a lot of Mormons, and if you're not Mormon, you generally have a pretty strong opinion about them.

 

Well, one of those strong opinions - expressed several times - got a previous SE fired.

And the scenery in Idaho Falls sucks even compared to Pocatello. Sure, on a clear day you can see the tips of the Tetons about 90 miles away. But the town is kind of in the flatlands to a degree. Good place to live, though, if you want a quiet life with decent neighborhoods, semi-affordable housing and seclusion.