Sports Reporter- Newton, IA

From jjobs.com
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=1565666

Company: The Newton Daily News
Position:
Seeking a Sports Reporter for a 21st Century
Newspaper
Location:
Newton, Iowa
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: Not Specified
Ad Expires:
March 26, 2014
Job ID: 1565666
Website: http://www.newtondailynews.com

Description:



The Newton Daily News, a five-day daily newspaper located in Newton, Iowa, is seeking a sports reporter to assist with its award-winning sports effort. Our newspaper has a 21st century digital-first mindset with a 24-7 web-first approach to breaking news, and a digital outreach that includes social media, text alerts and video reporting.

Newton is the county seat of Jasper County, Iowa, and as such we cover the six area high school sports programs, numerous youth sports leagues and local athletes who have gone on to college and the pros. Newton also is home to Iowa Speedway, which features numerous NASCAR and IndyCar races each year.

Ideal candidates should have a bachelor's degree in journalism or a related field, but we really want to know what you're able to do in a modern newsroom. Previous newspaper sports department experience is a plus. A firm grasp of AP style and experience with pagination (we use InDesign) and video- and photo-editing software is vital.

The Newton Daily News is part of Shaw Media. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit package. We are an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace. A pre-employment drug screen and background check will be required. Qualified applicants must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance.

As a Skilled Iowa employer, we give preference to applicants who have obtained the National Career Readiness Certificate.

Send resume, cover letter and 3-4 of your best clips to: NDN Editor Bob Eschliman at beschliman@newtondailynews.com or via mail to P.O. Box 967 Newton, Iowa, 50208.

 

I had never heard of this, after a quick google search the answer I came up with is: what the hell is this bullshit to have to take another 'ACT' test? Is my damn degree not enough anymore?

 

I was a sports reporter in Newton from 2010-2012. My first full-time gig. If you're right out of college, it's not a bad place to start and get some clips. You'll write A LOT. It's an afternoon paper, so there's no deadline pressure, but having no Saturday-Sunday paper means your Friday night football/basketball stories won't appear in print until Monday. No night deadline also means you'll inevitably end up doing a lot of your writing at home.

The drawback with this job is salary. My "competitive salary" was 21k during my two years there. Like I said, it's OK for someone looking for their first gig, but yeah...

Also, Newton is kind of a shady town. Really no sense of nightlife. You have to go to Des Moines for that, which is a 35-40 minute drive east.

The sports turnover rate seems to be about 2 years. I was there for 2.5 and left because of the salary. My coworker left soon after.

As far as the "National Career Readiness" BS, that must be something they added recently. I never heard of it until this job post.

Feel free to reply or PM me for any other info on working there or the area.

 

Upon further research, it appears that the NCRC is replacing the GED in some states... How insulting is that? I know I won't be applying here.

 

really? I had never heard of the National Career Readiness Certificate.

Of course, back when I was in school, we were encouraged to, you know, actually graduate rather than leave early to enter the trade workers draft.