Waterloo-Cedar Falls (IA) Courier, writer

[playthrough]

(As you can read, this position isn't quite spelled out yet, but there is an opening. Sent to me via PM so no link.)


The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, a roughly 45,000-circ. Lee newspaper in the hometown of the University of Northern Iowa, recently had its UNI men's basketball beat writer (and one of its top page-design guys) resign to work in his hometown.
The award-winning daily is respected in its region for solid sports coverage. Until recently, it was the only paper in the state to cover all Iowa, Iowa State and UNI football games home and away. In the last couple years it reduced Iowa Hawkeye road coverage but otherwise still covers the state's college gridders intensely. (The job description of the new hire is still being decided).
All members of the 6-fulltime-person sports staff help paginate (on Falcon and InDesign) at least a bit, but also have plenty of opportunities to write, report, blog and podcast (only writing and reporting are demanded of you though).

Doug Newhoff is the longtime and current sports editor.
If you have resumes, cover letters and a handful of intriguing clips here's the mailing address:

The Courier
P.O. Box 540
501 Commercial St.
Waterloo, IA 50704

 

[sportsguydave]

It's posted on jjobs as of this afternoon:


Company: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
Position: SEEKING SPORTS PAGE DESIGNER/SPORTS WRITER
Location: Waterloo / Cedar Falls, Iowa
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: Not Specified
Ad Expires: August 17, 2009
Job ID: 1072282
Website: http://wcfcourier.com


Description:
SPORTS PAGE DESIGNER/SPORTS WRITER

WATERLOO-CEDAR FALLS COURIER



The Courier, an award-winning, 42,000-circulation daily in Waterloo, Iowa, has an immediate opening for an experienced sports page designer/sports writer. We’re looking for a creative designer/copy editor who can make our pages reader-friendly and visually compelling while also recognizing when to massage a story. This position will also require somebody who can handle writing assignments ranging from game coverage to feature content and contribute to our on-line presence.


Our sports coverage at The Courier is extensive. We staff Iowa State and University of Northern Iowa football home and away, University of Iowa football at home and Northern Iowa men’s basketball home and away. We also cover preps extensively with seven metro high schools and approximately 35 more in our coverage area.


This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a vibrant, energetic sports team that enjoys tackling tough challenges.


The Courier is owned by Lee Enterprises, also owners of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and newspapers in Madison, Munster, San Diego, Davenport and nearly 50 more daily locations.


Please send your resume, tearsheets, a Web link or a CD. You may also apply @ http://www.wcfcourier.com/workhere.

The Courier 501 Commercial St. (50701) P.O. Box 540 Waterloo, IA 50704

ATTN: SPORTS PAGE DESIGNER/SPORTS WRITER

 

[MC Courier]

It's a very attractive position. I'm not sure what's going to happen, but the UNI men's basketball beat could be given to the right individual. UNI won the Missouri Valley Conference last year and returns like eight of its top nine players this season. It's definitely a top 35 to 40 program this season.

The individual in this position who resigned to take over as sports editor in his hometown covered small college football in the fall (Division III Luther and Wartburg; Division II Upper Iowa); UNI men's basketball in the winter; UNI baseball in the spring (but that will change since the program has been dropped) and the golf beat in the summer. He also did page 1 about twice a week. Desk work was limited in the winter with hoops, but more in the spring and summer.

It's a pretty good staff of people to work with, which includes a couple guys in their mid- to late 20s, a 30-year veteran and another writer just about to turn 40. The sports editor does little writing right now. That may change depending on the hire.

The biggest challenge facing this paper is they've dropped their Saturday edition, so a lot of the prep stuff on Friday nights will be squeezed into the Sunday edition. LIke many other publications, they've put more emphasis on blogs and on-line content -- particularly on Friday nights with no Saturday edition.

I'm sure pay will be based on experience level, but I would guess low to mid 30s.

 

[MidwestSportsGuy]

This position looks fantastic, with a good blend of writing (primarily) and desk work (not too much). Anyone want to take a stab at how many applicants it will attract? I know of at least one that's been submitted.

 

[bumpy mcgee]

Great position to get in this market. Seems to be one of the few jobs that would consider experience over how little they can get away with paying a new employee. These guys do a really good job with preps and UNI. lee is scary, but locals love the quality of the sports section.

 

[esport12]

I'm a bit confused: the ad on jjobs seems like it's almost all design with some writing. So the focus would be design. Can anyone clarify this?

 

[Mark2010]

Sounds like a pretty good gig. Although not having a Saturday edition is a drawback.

 

[MC Courier]

They are definitely wanting to get someone who has some page design experience. Regardless of how roles get re-shuffled, the individual won't do desk more than two or three times per week. The rest of the week would be spent covering and writing. However, if you're wanting to strictly write, this probably isn't the position for you. If you like the versatility aspect of it, this is the job for you.

 

[MC Courier]

In terms of applicants, they had approximately 75 for their last open position 18 months ago. I would expect a similar number this time.

 

[esport12]

They are definitely wanting to get someone who has some page design experience. Regardless of how roles get re-shuffled, the individual won't do desk more than two or three times per week. The rest of the week would be spent covering and writing. However, if you're wanting to strictly write, this probably isn't the position for you. If you like the versatility aspect of it, this is the job for you.

Thanks MC

 

[BottomlessPit]

This is an afternoon paper, isn't it? What kind of hours are we talking about?

 

[MC Courier]

It is an afternoon paper Monday through Friday, no Saturday edition and a Sunday morning paper.

However, the hours during the week are closer to what a morning paper works. Since the paper is now printed in Cedar Rapids (about an hour away), the section's deadline is 8 a.m. each day so it loses a lot of the appeal of being an afternoon paper. So, usually people come in between 8 and 8:30 the night before and work until 1:30 or 2 a.m. Then, somebody who didn't work that night, comes in around 6 to 6:30 a.m. the next morning to proof the pages and send them off.

 

[Bubbler]

The individual in this position who resigned to take over as sports editor in his hometown covered small college football in the fall (Division III Luther and Wartburg; Division II Upper Iowa); UNI men's basketball in the winter; UNI baseball in the spring (but that will change since the program has been dropped) and the golf beat in the summer. He also did page 1 about twice a week. Desk work was limited in the winter with hoops, but more in the spring and summer.

The individual who left this position was a great guy and he'll be missed in MVC circles.

The WCF Courier is a good paper and everyone I've met there are good people. UNI men's basketball has been really good the last half-decade or so, though by my outsider view, football rules the roost there.

I'd give this a shot if you're so inclined.

 

[lmcmillan33]

I got an e-mail on this one saying the position will not be filled right now.

 

[steveu]

And Lee strikes again. Whaddya wanna bet it gets eliminated in the next round of Lee layoffs.

 

[flexmaster33]

Lee is a joke