Sports Writer, Santa Clarita, CA

From journalismjobs.com
The Signal, a seven-day-a-week daily community newspaper in the growing Santa Clarita Valley, is looking for a sports reporter who loves prep sports. We have six local high schools that field outstanding teams and a community that is highly supportive; we want a writer who understands the community-wide value of local sports. Experience with pagination and webcasting are a plus but not required. Preference is given to writers familiar with Southern California high school teams. Opening is immediate. Send resume and cover letter to: managing editor Lila Littlejohn, llittlejohn@the-signal.com or mail to The Signal, 24000 Creekside Road, Santa Clarita CA 91355-1738.

 

This place (and similar opening) has been discussed before. Demographics mean most preps are competitive, but the paper isn't well-run nor is the pay in any way a reasonable fit for anyone but a current SoCal writer dabbling in the field.

 

Considering the bloodbath that has been SoCal newspapers as of late (and of course country-wide), I imgagine a lot of resumes will be sent in the coming days.

Still, it is refreshing to see someone hiring in Southern California.

 

The prep scene -- and the sports scene there -- is interesting and varied. There's not only a good core of competitive teams, but you've also got a Champions Tour event there every March and a group of retired pros who call Santa Clarita home.

So you'll never go wanting for stories.

That said, Editude's take is dead-on nails. The paper is not well run (a Morris shop) and the pay won't begin to cover the cost of living in an expensive area like Santa Clarita.

 

Would it be wishful thinking to think this job will offer anywhere near $35,000 a year?

 

no chance

 

Having lived and worked in this region, I think you could certainly live someplace like the northern part of the San Fernando Valley or in Simi Valley or even to the West in the smaller, agricultural towns of Fillmore and Santa Paula. So you have to drive a little ways to work. Part of the SoCal lifestyle.

 

i havent found the circulation of this paper, but its small. And is $35,000 really out of the question?

 

Yes, 35k is so far out of the question at this shop.

 

So what you are saying is, $35k is out of the question?

 

so its safe to say this will be filled by someone on the inside, say a stringer maybe?

why would they publicly open this position know it will pay so low that no one with top notch skills would show any interest in it?

 

It's the way things are going nowadays.