Sports Editor, Juneau, Alaska

[amraeder]

From jj
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=916771

Didn't see this on here.

Company: Juneau Empire
Position:
Sports editor in beautiful Southeast Alaska
Location:
Juneau, Alaska
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: Negotiable
Ad Expires:
June 3, 2008
Job ID: 916771

Description:
The Juneau Empire, Alaska‚s capital daily, is seeking someone to head its one-person sports department. The job is ideal for a talented sports reporter eager to take the next step in his or her career. The sports editor is responsible for shaping the Empire‚s print and online coverage, which includes writing, editing and page layout.

The perfect candidate will come in with a plan on how to organize and cover one high school ˜ with a second on the way ˜ along with covering a diverse range of athletic activities that vary from mixed martial arts, marathons, extreme ski and snowboarding competitions, a historic basketball tournament and youth sports.

We want someone who is hardworking, creative and knows how to go beyond the 12-inch gamer. The job also requires someone who enjoys coaching and nuturing freelance reporters. Knowledge of Quark, InDesign and Photoshop is a plus.

Juneau is a waterfront town of 30,000 people in Southeast Alaska. Surrounded by the country‚s largest national forest, it is a great place for outdoors lovers, with opportunities for hiking, salmon and halibut fishing, skiing, snowboarding and kayaking in town.

The Empire is a 7,400 circulation, six-day morning daily.

Mail cover letter, resume, clips and a list of references to Michael Plett, Juneau Empire, 3100 Channel Drive, Juneau, AK, 99801. Contact e-mail: [email protected].






I actually have never been to Juneau, but if I should be able to pull up the answer to just about any question you may have. It just might take me a couple days until I go back to work and can ask around.

The guy who left was good people, can't say I know where he moved on to, though.

Your baby is going to be Juneau-Douglas high school, which is annually a state power in just about everything. Recent football and softball titles jump to mind, but I'm sure I'm missing something. They've been close to title in girl's basketball the past couple of years and they have a stud freshman in girls track.

They're thinking about breaking up Juneau-Douglas into two high schools, that's why the "second on the way" thing.

Like I said, never been there, though I've heard good things (though I'm told it starts to feel very small after a while.)

Anyway, yeah, that's that. I'll try to check back once or twice today to see if anyone has any general questions I might now the answer to. No promises, though.

 

[Rockbottom]

I can't imagine it starting to feel small, what with it being JUNEAU FREAKING ALASKA and all ...

rb

 

[Batman]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are no roads into or out of Juneau. Maybe one. Does that mean everything you'd cover would be there in town? How often would the paper spring for away games to keep you from going stir crazy?

 

[amraeder]

I know they cover the state basketball tournament and state football when the teams get there. I know when Juneau comes up here, we just send them our stories, they don't travel.

I do believe you have to take a ferry or fly to get in and out of Juneau.

 

[Football_Bat]

I'm told if you like Seattle weather, subtract 15-20 degrees and you've got Juneau.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneau,_Alaska

Named after Joe Juneau. (No, not Joé Juneau, but rather Joe Juneau.)

Winter temps average low 20s at daybreak with high temps in the low 30s. Summer temps run upper 40s in the morning to mid-60s in the afternoon.

 

[sportschick]

I know they cover the state basketball tournament and state football when the teams get there. I know when Juneau comes up here, we just send them our stories, they don't travel.

I do believe you have to take a ferry or fly to get in and out of Juneau.

I had a phone interview there eons ago. You're right about the ferry or flying in thing, least that's what I was told.

 

[PeteyPirate]

Will they pay moving expenses?

 

[BTExpress]

No thanks.

I'm holding out for the Yakutsk Bugle.

Sunday's low temperature: 6F.

Of course, it was -57F there a couple of months ago.

 

[Stitch]

Will they pay moving expenses?

Probably not because there is a state law that states that if a company pays your way up and they can you later, they have to move you back to the lower 48.

 

[Mr. Homer]

Is that one chick from Northern Exposure there? If so, I could make the move.

 

[OnTheRiver]

Does the federal government still pay people to live there?

 

[amraeder]

Does the federal government still pay people to live there?

We still get paid. It's actually the oil companies that pay us. The $$ is tied to oil company profits. We're supposed to have our best Dividend ever this year.

As far as paying to move up here, I couldn't tell you about that one, sorry.

 

[BujuBanton]

so how much are does Uncle Sam or whoever pay you to live there?

 

[amraeder]

It changes from year to year based on how well the oil companies do. Usually it's a little over $1,000 dollars, but they say this could be a record-setting year, pushing the $2,000 range (can't remember for sure the last number I heard but it was in the pretty high $1,000s).

Thing is, though, you have to be there a full year, so they don't just give you a wad of cash at the border like in the Simpson's movie.

 

[TrooperBari]

They reposted the gig today:
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=916771

I'm sure Juneau is nice, but I'd hold out for Fairbanks or Anchorage. At least you get to cover college sports there.

 

[BujuBanton]

Yeah reposting the job means you might be able to slide into this gig without much competition. But it's at the southeastern most point of Alaska so it's remote - even by Alaska standards. Doesn't sound like a gig where you would travel much, but the surrounding area is probably full of interesting things to do.

 

[Editude]

The paper's news gigs seemed to have paid more based on previous listings. With the state government and tourism big there, maybe sports, no matter how successful the high school, isn't a priorirty and has a salary (and staff size) to match.

 

[amraeder]

The surrounding area is some of the most beautiful land in the US, so there's that going for you. And I was asked (yesterday, but I didn't get the e-mail until today) to ask if there's anyone with any questions. I know the area a little bit and I'm in good contact with the current guy, so if you have questions I can give or find answers.

 

[Stick2TheScript(s)]

What would be a realistic salary for this gig?

Also, if you can't drive into and out of town, how would a new hire move their material posessions there -- like their car!?

Northern Exposure only taught me so much!