Prep writer, Bakersfield Californian

[HoosierLoser]

The position isn't officially open but our current high school sports reporter gave his two weeks Friday. We're looking to move quickly once we've been given the OK.

Position covers 32 Kern County high schools with another expected to open in 2008. Duties include: coordinate weekly prep coverage with ASE, write 2-3 game stories a week, along with previews/capsules for HS football. Will also help maintain high school presence on award-winning bakersfield.com (blogs, podcasts, videos).

Bakersfield is the site for CIF state wrestling meet in March. We put together a preview section and wrap for each day of the event. Also, coordinate coverage for high school football preview section. This year's preview was 24-page section: http://shopping.bakersfield.com/SS/Page.aspx?&secid=32359&pagenum=1

Bakersfield area high school/pro standouts include: Frank Gifford, Joey Porter, David Carr, Brock Marion. List also includes NBA first-rounder Robert Swift and major leaguer Phil Dumatrait.

Keep in mind applicants will need to:
Pass drug screen
DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) and background check

The Bakersfield Californian is a family-owned newspaper. It is a guild paper with pay based closely on experience.

If you have questions, reply to post or send private message. I'll post official job listing once we're cleared.

 

[In Cold Blood]

don't know anything about the sports department, but the paper is pretty cutting edge in its design schemes.

hated it at first, but now I love it.

 

[goplayintramurals]

Keep in mind applicants will need to:
Pass drug screen

Theres always a catch, isn't there?

 

[BigSleeper]

don't know anything about the sports department, but the paper is pretty cutting edge in its design schemes.

hated it at first, but now I love it.

I can't say the same for the design. I wanted to like it, gave it a shot, but kept coming back to the fact it's visual diaherra.

 

[PTOWN]

That's quite a list of proffesional athletes from Bakersfield. I would be all over a Phil Dumatrait story. Sweet. I would add Kevin Harvick to the list as well. Actually, I know very little about this paper. But do know Hoosier is a nice guy, having worked at two of his previous stops. Though he was long gone by the time I made it to those papers.

 

[Board Stiff]

An area that large, with 32 high schools, and the paper has only one prep writer?

 

[SportsHack1818]

Unless something has changed in the last two years, the paper has two prep writers and a GA reporter who does a fair share as well.

 

[gauchoguy16]

When I worked there four years ago I absolutely loved it and am still somewhat saddened I left. Sports editor, publisher, managing editor, news editor and all the way on down to a little high schools reporter peon like me all were great, fantastic people to deal with.

If anyone wants info please feel free to PM me.

 

[Angola!]

I've always heard very good things about this paper and Bakersfield is not as bad a place to live as a lot of folks will make it sound.

Too bad this opened up in the middle of high school football.

 

[HoosierLoser]

don't know anything about the sports department, but the paper is pretty cutting edge in its design schemes.

hated it at first, but now I love it.

I can't say the same for the design. I wanted to like it, gave it a shot, but kept coming back to the fact it's visual diaherra.

This isn't a design job. So let's not get into an argument about the merits of the L.

I've seen my share of diarrhea, and this is far from it.

Also if you're going to bash...let's use Spell Check.

 

[BigSleeper]

don't know anything about the sports department, but the paper is pretty cutting edge in its design schemes.

hated it at first, but now I love it.

I can't say the same for the design. I wanted to like it, gave it a shot, but kept coming back to the fact it's visual diaherra.

This isn't a design job. So let's not get into an argument about the merits of the L.

I've seen my share of diarrhea, and this is far from it.

Also if you're going to bash...let's use Spell Check.

If you want to look like you work at a clown college, apply for this gig.

 

[In Cold Blood]

HL,
How many preps writers are there? Would this new hire be flying solo? or, as sportshack stated, are there two prep guys (or gals)?

32 high schools seems like a pretty big beat for one writer to cover well.

 

[HoosierLoser]

No worries. It's a Hope (Solo) job but we aren't putting our writers in a position to fail. When I say 32 area high schools, you have to understand that Kern County is the size of Rhode Island or Connecticut. We have 14 city schools that we focus primarily on with 18 outlying schools. Outlying schools are in Mojave Desert towns and near Edwards AFB.

We have a network of 4-5 stringers, plus a GA reporter, who will help cover games but we rely on call-ins from coaches for those outer fringe schools.

There were two prep reporters a few years back but the No. 2 position was cut more than two years ago. Long before I arrived.

Also this is a huge racing community, Kevin Harvick and Casey Mears are both from Bakersfield. We have a dirt track, a half-mile paved oval, which be finished in 2008, and a facility for drag racing. I don't know if that's a selling point but I'll throw it out there.

 

[SportsHack1818]

Sorry if I gave out bad info. Like Hoosier said, more than two years ago there were two prep guys. I didn't realize a cut had been made since then.

On a different note, the SE, Tony Lacava, is without a doubt the nicest guy I've met in the biz.

 

[PinSuperfly]

SportsHack, quit giving out bad info. This is at least the fourth time you've given out erroneous info about a job. Worry about the rag you work at and quit offering insight when you have none. Understand?

 

[Chi City 81]

SportsHack, quit giving out bad info. This is at least the fourth time you've given out erroneous info about a job. Worry about the rag you work at and quit offering insight when you have none. Understand?

Shouldn't you be stalking and trying to out another member again, jackass?

 

[SportsHack1818]

Don't know why you have a beef there, Mr. Pi.

I offered up my info based on what was happening 2 1/2 years ago when I worked in Bakersfield. Things have changed. I apologized.

If you have some sort of personal grudge with me, please feel free to let me in on it, because otherwise, I'm totally lost on that.

 

[Tom Petty]

Don't know why you have a beef there, Mr. Pi.

I offered up my info based on what was happening 2 1/2 years ago when I worked in Bakersfield. Things have changed. I apologized.

If you have some sort of personal grudge with me, please feel free to let me in on it, because otherwise, I'm totally lost on that.

either the guy doesn't know about blue font or is a douche nozzle. don't sweat it.

 

[London Calling]

This is a good job. Sucks that you have to live in one of California's "tucky towns."

Bakerstucky.

 

[gauchoguy16]

Sorry if I gave out bad info. Like Hoosier said, more than two years ago there were two prep guys. I didn't realize a cut had been made since then.

On a different note, the SE, Tony Lacava, is without a doubt the nicest guy I've met in the biz.

Yes, when I worked there in this position there was another prep writer working with me.

And, I totally agree about Lacava. Best. Dude. Ever.