Sports reporter opening in Knoxville, Tenn. (News Sentinel)

I've been getting some inquiries about plans in Knoxville after Andrew Gribble was hired earlier this month by Mobile.
I'll be filling Andy's role, which was backup Tennessee football and athletic department coverage, with a Tennessee men's basketball writer that will also help with football coverage.
We travel to all road games.
Andrew recently finished second in features and fifth in explanatory in the B division of the APSE contest. He was a very talented writer and reporter.
Knoxville is a competitive market and proven experience covering a beat will be important for this hire.
I'll also be looking for an individual that can go beyond the game story, develop sources and be a watchdog journalist with public record requests.
I will not be rushing to fill the position. My goal is to find the best candidates and move on from there.
You can send a cover letter, resume and clips via mail or I'm good with an email that includes a cover letter, resume and writing samples.


Phil Kaplan
Sports Editor - Editorial
News Sentinel | knoxnews.com
Products of KNS Media Group
2332 News Sentinel Drive
Knoxville, TN 37921


kaplanp@knoxnews.com


Here's the corporate job description.
Multimedia Journalist-Sports
Responsibilities:
•Maintain a close working relationship with potential news sources, real as well as general reporting. Engage readers through social medial by responding to reader comments and pursing other avenues of interaction with audiences
•Be on alert at all times for breaking news in order to generate story ideas and plan coverage effectively.
•Write articles, take photographs or shoot video as necessary to tell the story
•Develop updates to live stories throughout the day, with several deadlines built into the workday
•Carry a camera equipped with still and video capabilities and be prepared to cover all aspects of a particular story
•Create photo galleries for prominent stories, encouraging print readers to see “the rest” of the action online Requirements:
•Have the ability to post breaking news
•Must be able operate a camera equipped with still and video capabilities
•Must be able to write clearly and succinctly on a variety of topics, which may extend beyond the primary focus of the beat
•Basic knowledge of web publishing tools and/or the ability to learn new technology quickly
•Proficient used of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint)
•Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to meet deadline in a fast paced environment
•Excellent communication and presentation skills
•BS/BA in news/media discipline or equivalent experience
•0-2 years of experience in a related field

 

Definitely one of the better college town papers in the SEC.

 

Not many jobs would make me consider going back into newspapers. Working for Phil would be on the short list. He's a pro's pro, and that staff does an incredible job covering the Vols.

Great job for somebody.

 

Just saw this a week later, sent off my material immediately. Hope it is still open for consideration, because this looks like a very good opportunity.

 

They kicked me off the island, so perhaps they're starting to narrow it all down to a few finalists?
I did not have enough experience in open records requests or watchdog journalism, but sent in my stuff anyway. Very good all-around job for the lucky guy or gal.

 

Yes, I'm starting to go through resumes and return emails to individuals that will not be considered for the opening. I need to make it clear even though the corporate ad says 0-2 years, I'm looking for someone with experience on a beat at a daily newspaper or another digital media company. I guess I need to be clear on the following. I will not be offering the job to a college student or someone projected to graduate in May.
The job was approved today and is now up at journalismjobs and monster.

 

Just wanted to congratulate Andrew on his move up. Met him briefly at a game this fall, and he was really helpful answering a question I had about a quote from a Tennessee player, despite working on a deadline.

 

That's a shame they're not looking at college graduates. After reading the listing, it sounds like a job that would be perfect for someone coming out of college who is taught to use video and social media.

Seems like it's their loss for not even bothering to consider college graduates.

 

No, this isn't a beat for which a recent college grad would be ready. This is for someone who's proven themselves already, although they don't have to be grizzled by any means. The recent hires are young but not wet behind the ears. You'd better bring the A game here to deal with 24/7 Sports, 990 AM and Chattanooga. Not to mention Volquest.com.

 

A perfect job for a recent grad is an SEC beat at a 120 K circulation paper. I want to meet the 1 percent of one percent of recent grads that would be perfect for that.

 

0.01 percent you say?