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Sports Editor - Los Alamos, NM

Discussion in 'Journalism Jobs' started by LosAlamos, Aug 9, 2007.

  1. LosAlamos

    LosAlamos New Member

    This is the official description, which will hit JournalismJobs.com soon...

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    The Sports Editor of the Los Alamos (N.M.) Monitor has the unique opportunity to command his or her own sports section in one of America’s most unique communities.

    As a one-person sports department, the Sports Editor is responsible for all the content, editing and page design for one to five pages at this five-day daily. This person is also responsible for managing a few stringers and editing community submissions. QuarkXPress proficiency, AP Style knowledge and basic Photoshop skills are essential.

    Coverage area is limited to just Los Alamos County (pop. 18,000) and includes just one very successful high school. The Hilltoppers earned three team state championships and five individual championships in New Mexico’s Class 4A last season. Travel will include attending varsity games in cities such as Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque.

    There are community sports to cover as well, but that isn’t limited to Little League. Los Alamos is home to world-class athletes, including professional cyclists and triathletes, a group of ultramarathon runners, national champions in shooting sports and swimming, a handful of hometown collegiate athletes and more. Several teams and individuals will visit for high-altitude training in preparation for the 2008 Olympics.

    Because Los Alamos is a highly educated community, the Sports Editor has an opportunity to write often and for an intelligent audience.

    The ideal applicant has a college degree in journalism or a related field, daily newspaper experience, professional experience with QuarkXPress, a wide base of sports knowledge and a positive attitude toward prep and community sports.

    The Los Alamos Monitor is a five-day daily afternoon newspaper with a circulation of 5,000 owned by Landmark Community Newspapers. Salary is dependent upon experience, but starts at $25,000 with room to grow.

    Send a resume, references, 3-5 writing clips and 3-5 page design clips to Managing Editor Kelly LeVan at laeditor@lamonitor.com.

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    OK, the straight dirt:

    This is not a typical small town or small-town newspaper. There is a lot of opportunity here for the right person. And those with experience should go in asking for about $27-28K.

    PROS: The newsroom staff is a bunch of great people. Cover just one high school, and it's very successful; the teams are fun to watch. Cover a good number of national and international athletes in a variety of sports. Set your own hours and command your own section. No need to write for the eighth-grade reading level. PM paper means stories are not due immediately after an event. Los Alamos is an outdoors haven for runners, hikers, mountain bikers, etc. with area fishing, camping, rafting, etc., perfect for someone into those things. This is also a great place for a family; the schools are hands-down the best in the state and crime is not an issue, plus there are a ton of historical, cultural and recreational activities. Santa Fe is 45 minutes away, Taos is 60 minutes and Albuquerque is 90 minutes.

    CONS: Los Alamos can be very isolated with not much retail or social opportunities for singles. Because people here are so well-educated and successful, expectations can be very high; a just-out-of-college person with no newsroom experience might get eaten alive. The publisher is against writing anything negative, especially about the high school teams. A one-person desk and a small stringer budget means you will do it all. Because most of the town is making government scientist/engineer salaries, the cost of living is higher than the rest of New Mexico. The PM schedule can be a switch for those used to working at AM papers.
     
  2. Moondoggy

    Moondoggy Member

    Oh, and the sports editor should also know that nothing can be "one of the most unique" because there are no degrees of uniqueness.
     
  3. spup1122

    spup1122 Guest

    I believe I know who is leaving this position and there are good shoes to fill here.
     
  4. Editude

    Editude Active Member

    Thorough pros and cons. I missed the reference to the stockpile of nuclear weapons.
     
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