General information
These job descriptions are intended to inform applicants of what would be expected of them were they to be hired. They are also intended to guide those holding the positions as they carry out their duties.
Any position may be jointly held by two individuals if the hiring board approves of the split.
Serious breaches of these duties or failures to perform the duties in a timely, professional fashion are grounds for dismissal. If a staff members resigns, midway through the semester he or she will receive no compensation.
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New positions
Bloggers
Interested in blogging about politics, study abroad, campus life, music, or something else entirely? We expect that blogs will be actively maintained, with approximately one post per week. Blogs hosted on The Phoenix’s Web site will have multimedia capabilities with the ability to embed videos or other content directly in the blog. The Phoenix will consider both group or individual blogs, so feel free to apply in a group.
We will also be hiring summer bloggers, so consider applying to write about your summer experience if you’ll be doing something exciting.
Graphic Designers
Responsibilities include working with the editors and staff artist(s) to conceptualize and create cover art and graphics within page designs. The graphic designer should coordinate art and is responsible for ensuring completion of graphics or photo-intensive pages. The graphic designer will also attend editorial board meetings. Previous work with Photoshop recommended.
Outreach Coordinator
The Outreach Coordinator will be responsible for getting in contact with other student groups about hosting content on our website. This position would be ideal for someone interested in marketing, communications, and outreach work.
Social Media Coordinator
The Social Media Coordinator is responsible for the upkeep of The Phoenix’s Facebook and Twitter pages. The Coordinator should also be willing to teach other staff members, such as writers and photographers, about how to use social media to find sources for articles or how to integrate amateur photos into the paper. This is a great position for anyone who is looking to get into Public Relations.
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Staff Positions
News Reporters
A reporter writes at least one story a week for the news section. Writers must attend weekly meetings.
Living & Arts staff writers
A living & arts staff writer is responsible for one story each week. Topics range from student performances to Philly events. A variety of writing styles is encouraged and in-person reporting is expected.
Sports writers
Sports writers are responsible for writing weekly stories or features for the sports section, and must attend weekly meetings.
Columnists (6 opinions, 2 sports)
A columnist receives a biweekly column. The columnists are expected to work closely with their respective section editors in developing topics and improving their writing styles.
Living & Arts columnists
A variety of columns is encouraged for the living & arts section, including music reviewers, movie reviewers, fashion columnists, food critics, art reviewers and humor columnists.
Copy editors
Responsibilities include checking facts, style and grammar and proofing pages.
Photographers
Photographers are expected to fulfill weekly assignments. This includes taking photos at the assigned time and uploading the photos onto the Phoenix server in a timely fashion.
Staff artists
Staff artists are required to submit at least one illustration per issue, for various sections of the paper. Staff artists may also be asked to submit smaller illustrations as well.
Cartoonists
Cartoonists may apply to work as either an op-artist or a living & arts artist, and will be required to submit pieces bi-weekly.
Crossword writers
Crossword writers will produce one crossword puzzle every other week, for publication in the living & arts section.
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Business Positions
Director of business development
The director of business development will work as The Phoenix’s business manager and will also be responsible for both short and long term development and improvement of the paper’s business operations. Responsibilities include maintaining records of the paper’s finances; keeping up-to-date business records, including current figures on advertising income; aiding in the annual budgeting process; holding weekly business staff meetings; and communicating regularly with the Swarthmore College Business Office as well as the editor in chief, the advertising managers and the circulation manager.
Advertising managers
Advertising manager works to recruit local and national ads. Responsibilities include soliciting advertisements from local businesses; keeping up-to-date advertising records; sending out invoices and tearsheets to the advertisers; documenting paid invoices; providing up-to-date advertising income figures; and attending weekly business staff meetings.
Circulation manager
The circulation manager must distribute copies of The Phoenix to areas across campus early Thursday mornings; stuff faculty and administration mailboxes; maintain subscriber lists and ensure that subscriptions are mailed out each Thursday on a weekly basis; deliver extra copies to The Phoenix office; and answer subscription requests as they are received.
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Editorial Positions
Managing Editor (2)
The Managing Editors of The Phoenix serve primarily as adjuncts to the Editor in Chief. Responsibilities include those of the Editor in Chief; however, the Managing Editors focus their attention primarily on the production of the newspaper, carrying out decisions made by the Editor in Chief in order to allow the Editor in Chief to focus on his or her executive duties. Like the Editor in Chief, the Managing Editors are responsible for the completion of the newspaper and for the delegation of tasks to other editors and staff members. The Managing Editors should be deeply involved in the editorial, design layout processes. Additionally, the Managing Editors serve as liaisons between the Editor in Chief and the other members of the Editorial Board. The Managing Editors must be able to perform any and all tasks crucial to the publication of a successful newspaper; these tasks include, but are not limited to, writing, editing, layout design and photography. The Managing Editors must be present in the office during production on Tuesday nights and all day Wednesday. The Managing Editors should also be available on Sunday nights, Monday nights and Tuesday afternoons should any editors or staff members need help.
Approximate hours per week: 30+
News Editor
The news editor must have a current and comprehensive knowledge of events, people and issues on campus. Job duties include reading and editing all news copy; leading a staff meeting Monday nights to work with reporters and develop future story ideas; working with other editors to select news content; and directing reporters. Frequent communication with reporters, photographers and senior editors is essential. Applicants should be competent reporters, willing to write last-minute news copy and take photos.
Approximate hours per week: 18
Living & Arts Editor
The living & arts editor must be able to develop creative feature and art ideas for the section each week; maintain familiarity with the art, music and theater scene, both on campus and in the Philadelphia area; and select events to feature as editor’s picks. The living section allows for more creativity in design than do other sections in the paper.
Approximate hours per week: 16
Opinions Editor
The opinions editor’s primary job is to ensure that a diverse range of views relevant to the campus are represented on the editorial pages. Responsibilities include soliciting op-ed pieces; working with staff columnists and cartoonists to develop and carry out ideas; and ensuring completion of the staff editorial each week. The opinions editor must also keep abreast of relevant campus and world events.
Approximate hours per week: 12
Sports Editor
The sports editor should maintain a comprehensive knowledge of all varsity and club teams on campus. Duties include reading and editing all sports copy and assigning sports photos. Applicants must be competent sportswriters who are willing to write and take photos as needed.
Approximate hours per week: 12
Assistant section editors
Assistant editors in news, living and arts, sports and opinions may be added as training positions. Assistant section editors are responsible for helping the section editor in all duties and learning all aspects of production essential to the section, including layout design and editing. Assistant section editors are also responsible for writing for their sections as necessary.
Approximate hours per week: 4-10
Chief Copy Editor
The chief copy editor of The Phoenix is responsible for the factual and grammatical aspects of all copy in the newspaper. Responsibilities include reading all copy; reading proofs of all pages; coordinating the schedules of a staff of copy editors; maintaining and updating The Phoenix stylebook; and providing editorial feedback to the writers and editors.
Approximate hours per week: 12
Photo editor
Responsibilities include taking, uploading and editing photos; maintaining a staff of photographers; coordinating the use of the paper’s digital cameras; communicating with editors at editorial board meetings and throughout the week; teaching photographers how to use the cameras and correct photos for print; and attending editorial board meetings.
Approximate hours per week: 10
