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Staff Positions

Executive editor (paid) (hired by independent board)

The executive editor has final authority over and responsibility for content at The State Press, statepress.com and State Press Magazine. Working with the director of Student Media, the executive editor sets overall editorial and content strategy for the outlets, and serves as the direct supervisor of The State Press’ editor in chief, State Press Magazine’s editor in chief and The State Press/statepress.com’s multimedia editor. The executive editor facilitates and coordinates communication among the student leadership team, working to eliminated redundancies in coverage and resolve disputes.

Editor in chief (paid) (hired by independent board)
The editor in chief is responsible for the overall quality of The State Press and its content. The EIC oversees all desks at the newspaper and leads meetings of the editorial board to plan the paper and set long-term goals. The EIC works with the executive editor of Student Media, the editor of State Press Magazine and the multimedia editor to coordinate coverage and multimedia content. The EIC also works with production staff to design the paper and acts as an external representative for The State Press. The EIC leads daily afternoon budget meetings.

Multimedia editor (paid) (hired by independent board)
The multimedia editor is responsible for all multimedia content for statepress.com and manages the photo editor, video editor and multimedia producer, as well as their staffs. The multimedia editor works with the news editors and sports editors to develop story ideas, assign them to reporters and make sure there is art and multimedia for every print story that requires it. The multimedia editor is ultimately in charge of bi-weekly podcast State Press Weekly.

(The executive editor of Student Media, editor in chief of The State Press, editor in chief of State Press Magazine and multimedia editor of The State Press/statepress.com are hired by an independent board; all other positions are hired by student leaders.)

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EDITORIAL LEADERSHIP

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Managing editor (paid) Apply
The managing editor is responsible for supervising the copy chief and any tasks specifically delegated by the editor in chief. The managing editor works closely with newsroom and design staff to ensure consistency in local design and AP style. The position acts as a liaison for freelance writers, Cronkite 301 students or any other contributors. He or she mentors beginning reporters, directly supervises the investigative reporter and leads the newsroom in the editor in chief’s absence. The managing editor pulls wire content when necessary, attends daily budget meetings and helps the editor in chief oversee final production of the weekly print product.

News editor (1) (paid) Apply
The news editor runs the news desk, leads weekly budget meetings with reporters and is ultimately responsible for all news content. The news editor assigns print and online stories to news reporters. The news editor contributes two front-page story pitches every week for the print issue. These pitches have a visual component and focus on long-form writing. In addition to editing stories, this individual must be on the lookout for what’s going on at ASU and the surrounding community. He or she is required to work in the Phoenix or Tempe offices Sunday through Thursday. The news editor directs reporters in the news-gathering process and ensures each beat receives appropriate coverage. This editor also delegates stories for several special sections throughout the semester. He or she attends daily afternoon budget meetings.

Asst. news editor (paid) Apply
The assistant news editor communicates with the news editor on a daily basis and manages all online news coverage, including blogs and news briefs. The assistant news editor schedules and edits online articles in addition to writing and managing breaking news content. In addition, he or she ensures news stories include multimedia content. This editor closely monitors ASU stories from other news media. He or she contributes one front-page story pitch every week for the print issue. This pitch has a visual component and focuses on long-form writing. He or she helps edit final print news copy and attends at least three budget meetings, but may also a act a representative for the news desk in case of the news editor’s absence.

Opinion editor (paid) Apply
The opinion editor manages the opinion section of The State Press and is responsible for hiring columnists and editorial cartoonists, organizing weekly budgets, editing columns and writing a daily editorial.  The opinion editor is responsible for having a minimum of three opinion columns, an editorial and an editorial cartoon for each day of online production. He or she attends daily editorial budget meetings and edits letters to the editor. The opinion editor contributes two front-page story pitches every week for the print issue. These pitches have a visual component, focus on long-form opinion writing and address a hyperlocal topic for State Press readers. Opinion front-page pitches include 500 words of newsworthy content and explains the issue without bias.

Sports editor (paid) Apply
The sports editor is responsible for daily coverage of all ASU athletics and manages a staff of print and online reporters, who also work under the direction of the multimedia editor. The editor manages an assistant editor, assigns coverage, schedules daily sports content, prepares and edits copy for print, helps plan sports section layout and acts as the primary liaison between The State Press’ sports department and the ASU athletic department. The sports editor also writes breaking news content and represents the paper at athletic events as needed. The sports editor contributes two front-page story pitches every week for the print issue. These pitches have a visual component and focus on long-form writing.  The sports editor attends daily afternoon budget meetings and is responsible for putting out several special sections during the semester. On a weekly basis, the sports editor prepares and distributes a schedule for the upcoming week to the sports staff and maintains communication with the rest of the editorial board, sports staff and athletic department.

Asst. sports editor (paid) Apply
The assistant sports editor works with the sports editor on a daily basis and manages all online coverage of ASU athletics. The assistant sports editor helps schedule and edit online content in addition to writing original content. He or she contributes one front-page story pitch every week for the print issue. This pitch has a visual component and focuses on long-form writing. He or she helps edit final print sports copy and attends at least three budget meetings.

A&E editor (paid) Apply
The A&E editor is responsible for the online and print coverage of all arts and entertainment news and reviews, including movies, music, shows/concerts, video games, books and more. The A&E editor manages and assigns stories to a staff of print and multimedia reporters in developing daily content for the paper and statepress.com. The A&E editor attends daily afternoon budget meetings.

Asst. A&E editor (paid) Apply
The assistant A&E editor works with the A&E editor on a daily basis and manages online features such as blogs and the calendar. The assistant A&E editor helps schedule and edit online content in addition to writing original work. He or she contributes one front-page story pitch every week for the print issue. This pitch has a visual component and focuses on long-form writing. The assistant A&E editor helps edit final print A&E articles and calendar and attends at least three budget meetings.

Photo editor (paid) Apply
The photo editor is responsible for coordinating all art that will appear in the paper and online, managing a staff of at least five photographers. The photo editor works under the multimedia editor and with section editors to ensure that the photo desk is aware of every budgeted story, with a goal of getting art for each one. The photo editor holds weekly meetings with photographers to coordinate their schedules, address problems and assign stories when necessary. The photo editor also manages separate projects like photo essays and attends a daily afternoon budget meeting. The photo editor is responsible for all art on statepress.com, as well as comics.

Asst. photo editor (paid) Apply
The assistant photo editor works with the photo editor on a daily basis and oversees the quality of all online photography. The assistant photo editor helps to budget stories, upload photographs online and address any concerns. This editor contributes original content and supervises or photographs two in-depth photo essays of their choice each semester. The assistant photo editor oversees production in the photo editor’s absence and may attend daily afternoon budget meetings in his or her place.

Copy chief (paid) Apply
The copy chief is responsible for proofing all material in the weekly paper, online or special sections. This includes fact checking, verifying names, quotes and titles and editing for grammar and Associated Press style. The copy chief, working with the copy editors, is also in charge of posting all content to statepress.com and regularly monitoring the website for design or copy errors. The copy chief directly manages and supervises copy editors and consults with the managing editor on headline suggestions or other layout-based changes for the weekly paper.

Community manager (paid) Apply
The community manager is a shared position between The State Press and State Press Magazine and reports to the executive editor. The community manager’s job is to promote content on Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets and interact with readers/viewers/listeners through those outlets. Essentially, the community manager is the State Press’ online voice and serves as a liaison between the newsroom and readers. The community manager works from the newsroom nightly alongside the copy editors and night editors to be aware of what content is being prepared for the next day’s paper, statepress.com and statepressmagazine.com. The community manager will work to grow Twitter followers and Facebook interactions, but will take special interest in more nuanced social media platforms such as Tumblr and Instagram. The community manager is responsible for overseeing the social media policy by reporters, writers, photographers and editors.

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PRINT AND ONLINE EDITORIAL STAFF

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Investigative reporter (full time) (paid) Apply

The investigative reporter is a senior staff position that works on three in-depth stories every semester. This position partners with The Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting to produce high-quality content concerning health, safety, transportation and University affairs. This reporter takes the initiative in researching, gathering sources and compiling data or information that can be visually and editorially represented. Although this position does not have daily deadlines, investigative reporters frequently report to the editor in chief and managing editor on his or her progress. In addition, this position is expected to file multiple FOIA requests to assist the news desk.

Note: Applicants are independently chosen by the executive editor and the editor in chief. 

News reporter (full time) (paid) Apply
Full-time reporters must attend weekly Sunday budget meetings. A full-time news reporter produces three pieces of content, which can be substituted for multiple online articles or multimedia extras. They must research and pitch their own story ideas and move forward once an editor approves each story. They are required to remain in daily contact with news editors.

Beats are as follows:

Business reporter

With a student population growing every semester, Tempe has blossomed into a thriving city with new shops and restaurants opening. The business reporter must keep readers up to date on the latest news within the business community. This reporter should not let Tempe be his or her boundary. What businesses exist around the Downtown, West and Polytechnic campuses? How is the job market looking for students? Keeping in contact with ASU’s entrepreneurship program personnel is also an essential part of the job. The business reporter must focus his or her stories on the ASU community with a student angle.

Politics reporter

This reporter covers national and local political events if they affect ASU students. He or she must be a watchdog of ASU’s Undergraduate Student Government and other political organizations that control millions of dollars in student fees. The politics reporter stays up to date with the Arizona Legislature, bills/laws, protests or upcoming political demonstrations directly related to ASU. The politics reporter must be available to attend various student government meetings, write follow-up stories, meet with political representatives and communicate with news editors about any trends or campus-wide initiatives.

Note: This position requires blogging, some social media work and can occasionally be called on to provide political commentary on a weekly video show. 

Diversity reporter

Students from around the country and the world attend ASU. This makes it a diverse community of race, gender, culture and religion. The diversity reporter is charged with the task of finding unique stories and within these various groups — providing a voice for the voiceless.

City reporter

Thousands of students become Tempe residents each year. As the University expands into other parts of Arizona, the city reporter’s job is to explore how the University affects each community. While Tempe remains the main focus for this role, the city reporter may expand his or her coverage to include Phoenix, Glendale or Mesa. City reporters essentially write stories focused on the relationship between cities and ASU. He or she covers city events connected with the University and meets with city officials. The city reporter has the freedom to write hard or soft news stories.

Police reporter

Law enforcement officers work hard to keep ASU students safe. They rely on the media to inform the public about how they can better protect themselves. The police reporter is charged with relaying this information to the public as well as finding interesting stories about arrests and investigations carried out by the ASU and Tempe police departments. Every week, the police reporter is required to turn in at least two stories, compile three short police reports and complete one ride-along with Tempe police and ASU police.

Note: This position requires the reporter to be on-call for any breaking news. 

Science, Tech and Innovation reporter

Like other universities, ASU is a testing ground for innovations in science and technologies. This reporter must find stories by looking into these projects and relating them to readers in a simplified and understandable way. This role not only requires coverage of interesting inventions, but of specific developments within each college. They may explore projects in the School of Sustainability or cover initiatives in the W.P. Carey School of Business. This reporter has the option to search and seek visionaries in education, law, engineering or health.

Note: This reporter will be required to provide commentary on a weekly video show. 

Administration reporter

Will tuition be raised this year? Is the school planning a new building? The administration reporter is charged with answering this question and many others in a beat that allows the writer to explore the skeleton that holds ASU together. The administration reporter finds interesting and compelling stories about the people who control the University and the projects they are working on. He or she is required to attend bi-weekly University Senate meetings and attend or watch monthly Arizona Board of Regents meetings. This position is required to request public records.

Note: This position requires blogging and may be called on to provide commentary on a weekly video show. 

Student Life reporter

Events are happening daily across ASU’s four campuses. If students are involved, the student life reporter should be on top of it. This reporter has a lot of opportunity for in-depth human stories about the college experience. The student life reporter covers Greek life and keeps in close contact with fraternity and sorority leaders throughout the semester. This reporter focuses on variety of student clubs and events happening in dorms.

News reporter (part time) (unpaid) Apply

Part-time reporters write one story per week and attend weekly news meetings. Since they do not hold a specific beat, they are allowed to cover and operate as general assignment reporters. These positions write shorter online stories and are on-call for any breaking news. They can also work on in-depth feature stories approved by a section editor.

A&E reporter (full time) (paid) (2) Apply

Full-time A&E reporters write one feature story per week and attend weekly budget meetings. These reporters focus on the ASU and local arts community, which inclues fine art, theater, music, literature, food, nightlife and more. They may profile prominent individuals, write longer stories with color and chose their own beats. An A&E reporter must be able to write newsworthy or evergreen pieces and closely collaborate with photographers to ensure each of his or her stories have a visual element.

Note: Applicants are independently chosen by the editor in chief. 

A&E reporter (part time) (unpaid) Apply

Part-time A&E reporters contribute one article per week, write reviews, blog about a topic of their choice and work as general assignment writers. These positions write for online but have the ability to contribute in-depth feature stories approved by section editors for both the print and online issue. Part-time A&E reporters have the freedom to interchange one article for two blog posts one week, and shoot video and write a brief story for the next.

Sports reporter (full time) (paid) Apply
Full-time sports reporters cover ASU football (two reporters) in the fall semester and the following ASU sports in the spring semester: men’s basketball (one reporter), women’s basketball (one reporter), and baseball (one reporter). Each reporter follows day-to-day happenings of their team and multiple practices each week. They conduct interviews and write multiple stories each week that include previews, game stories, note packages and features. Sports reporters build a working relationship with sports information directors, players and coaches to facilitiate in-depth, quality coverage. These reporters also contribute to a rotating short column, The Devil Dish.

Note: This position requires blogging and may be called on to provide commentary on a weekly video show. 

Sports reporter (part time) (paid) Apply
Part-time sports reporters cover many of ASU’s sports in the fall and spring semesters. Fall sports include volleyball, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s cross country, swimming and diving, and women’s tennis. Spring sports include softball, track and field, men’s and women’s golf, wrestling, women’s gymnastics, swimming and diving, and women’s water polo. Each reporter follows day-to-day happenings of their team and attend at least one practice each week. They conduct interviews and produce multiple stories each week including previews, game stories, note packages and features. Reporters build a working relationship with sports information directors, players and coaches to facilitate the highest quality of coverage. They also contribute to a rotating short column, The Devil Dish.

Copy editor (paid) (2-3) Apply
Copy editors are responsible for reading every story for the paper and website for grammar, content and AP style. This work includes fact checking, verifying names, quotes and titles, and contacting reporters, columnists and writers if there are any questions or discrepancies. The copy editors post content to statepress.com and monitor the website for any errors. Copy editors are managed by the copy chief and may help read print pages if necessary.

Graphics editor (paid) Apply

The graphics editor is a creative individual who is comfortable working with Adobe platforms such as Photoshop and Illustrator and other digital media tools to produce distinct graphics or design elements for various stories. They are knowledgeable in design principles, typography and perhaps layout. This editor produces illustrations, infographics and may be asked to design front-page print covers. They are required to produce two small graphics or one large project per week for print or online editions. The graphics editor is supervised by the managing editor and frequently communicates with the design editor of any upcoming projects. He or she must attend weekly budget meetings.

Note: Applicants are required to show a portfolio. 

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OPINION

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Opinion columnist (paid) (Full time: one column/week) Apply
Full-time columnists research, report and write opinion-based columns (around 500 words) on issues relevant to State readership. Topics are selected by the writer, but must be approved by the opinion editor. Full-time columnists write one column per week and are paid a stipend. All columnists are responsible for meeting deadlines set by the opinion editor, as well as revising columns and being available to do so on the set deadline day. Writers are also responsible for responding to any e-mails they may receive in reponse to a column.

Opinion columnist  (unpaid) (Part time: two columns/month) Apply
Part-time columnists research, report and write opinion-based columns (around 500 words) on issues relevant to State readership. Topics are selected by the writer, but must be approved by the opinion editor. All columnists are responsible for meeting deadlines set by the opinion editor, as well as revising columns and being available to do so on the set deadline day. Writers are also responsible for responding to any e-mails they may receive in reponse to a column.

Sports columnist (paid)(1) Apply
The sports columnist writes a weekly sports column on a variety of topics ranging from ASU and professional sports to off-the-wall sports and sports-related human interest stories. The sports column provides a source of regular commentary and perspective to compliment the paper’s objective coverage of ASU athletics.

Cartoonist (paid)(4) Apply
Cartoonists are responsible for producing five cartoons per week (one per issue). All cartoons must be submitted by the deadline determined by their editor. They are responsible for conceptualizing, drawing, scanning and cropping their own work, which is subject to review by their editor.

Editorial cartoonist (paid)(1) Apply
Editorial cartoonists create original artwork/cartoons/caricatures that editorialize current events. They create one cartoon per week and are unpaid. Cartoonists are responsible for meeting deadlines set by the opinion editor and acknowledge that all work is subject to review by the opinion editor or editorial board.

Return to the application

Multimedia producer (paid) Apply

The multimedia producer collaborates with section desks to create engaging multimedia shows with relevant sources. This producer works with digital SLRs and assists the multimedia editor with post production. They focus on long-term projects projects and b-weekly news packages, but may also produce shorter packages. This individual shows initiative, visual enterprise and focuses on documentary-style content.

State Press Weekly reporter (paid) (1) Apply
The State Press Weekly reporter works with the multimedia producer to find, script and record stories for a weekly video show, State Press Weekly. These reporters work with audio equipment and software to produce briefs or several minute-long feature stories for the show. Reporters must be active in pitching their own stories for the podcast.

State Press Weekly host (paid) (1) Apply

The State Press Weekly host is responsible for managing and hosting a weekly interview show with prominent ASU personalities. The director manages sources and journalists to bring them together on camera and facilitates a lively discussion about current affairs. These packages range from 2:00 to 3:00 minutes in length.

Multimedia NEWS reporter (full time) (paid) (2) Apply
Multimedia news reporters are responsible for producing one news package each week and attending weekly budget meetings. These reporters develop sources, research and pitch stories ideas, and move forward once topics are approved by news editors. Multimedia news reporters receive guidance from the news desk and the multimedia director. News packages run between 1:30 and 2:00 minutes in length and include a minimum of three on-camera interviews. This reporter also works with the photo department to produce audio slideshows in exchange for video or other special projects.

Note: This position can also assist magazine staff.

Multimedia SPORTS reporter (paid) Apply
Multimedia sports reporters work under the direction of the sports editor and asst. editor covering football, basketball, baseball, tennis, softball, soccer, golf and other sports. These reporters produce one package each week, whether they are game stories, athlete features or other in-depth stories. The sports editors or multimedia editors can assign stories to the sports reporters, but reporters are expected to keep up with their team(s) and its athletic directors and pitch their own stories. Multimedia reporters also work with the photo department on audio slideshows in exchange for video or other special projects.

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STATE PRESS MAGAZINE

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Editor in chief (paid) (hired by independent board) 
The SPM editor in chief is responsible for managing staff, budgeting ideas, making final edits and ensuring the daily publication of magazine content. The EIC produces a weekly budget of stories to be shared with the newspaper and maintains integrity of the publication as well as the consistency of a staff of writers and photographers. The EIC is responsible for overseeing two print publications of the magazine every semester as well as special inserts in the weekly newspaper edition.

Assistant editor (paid) Apply
The SPM assistant editor is responsible for editing for style and grammar in magazine content. He or she maintains communication with the editor in chief, writers, bloggers and photographers. The assistant editor manages his or her own staff of bloggers, oversees website quality and monitors social media with the help of the community manager. The assistant editor attends weekly budget meetings and serves as the direct supervisor in the editor in chief’s absence.

Photo and multimedia editor (paid) Apply

The photo and multimedia editor is responsible for managing and assigning photographers and videographers for each story, maintaining quality of each photo and video and representing the artistic goals of the publication. He or she collaborates with State Press photo staff and ensures the creation of multimedia for SPM. This editor takes the artistic approach when intertwining multimedia elements with magazine stories. He or she produces original content, but they are not bound to a single medium. He or she may chose to include interactive polls, video storytelling, stop-motion photography, embedded playlists, photo or audio slideshows, audio snippets and more. This editor attends weekly budget meetings.

Note: Applicants must own and be familiar with their own digital SLR camera.

SPM videographer (paid or unpaid) Apply
SPM videographer reporters are responsible for producing one or more weekly packages pertaining to locally-relevant art, music, theater, books, film, television and more, or magazine-style web-TV segments like video movie reviews or cooking shows, for example. These reporters are managed by the SPM editor in chief and work with the photo and multimedia editor. Packages follow the same general requirements, ranging from 1:30 to 2:00 minutes in length with a minimum of three on-camera interviews. Multimedia reporters can also work with the photo department on audio slideshows in exchange for video and other special projects.

SPM photographer (unpaid) Apply

An SPM photographer is responsible for exploring various subjects through a visual lens and providing high-quality content. They are expected to create one photo essay a week. They also collaborate with SPM writers in order to craft feature photographs for other stories. They will work most closely with the SPM photo and multimedia editor.

Lead writer (paid) (2) Apply

The SPM lead writer is responsible for producing one story per week as well as four enterprise stories per semester of the highest quality, acting as an example for the rest of the writing staff. He or she may explore a variety of topics that is newsworthy or that may personally interest them. The lead writer contributes to the print publication and has the option of photographing their own assignments. The lead writer must include at least one multimedia or visual element to their enterprise story.

SPM Writer (unpaid) Apply

SPM writers are responsible for writing one story every other week. They keep up to date with trends and developments related to the ASU community and are comfortable with meeting people, interviewing subjects and writing in a variety of styles. In fact, they like it. These individuals show initiative and curiosity as well as the determination to share his or her findings in an expressive and engaging form.

 Blogger (unpaid) Apply

An SPM blogger is committed to a specific topic for the semester and is responsible for writing two 300-500 word posts a week about it as well as provide photography to accompany each post. These are written in a conversational, engaging style that provides a connection to the ASU community.