The Northern Light Copy Editor

Copy Editor Position

The copy editor is responsible for providing copy edits for The Northern Light. They edit written material for spelling, grammar and clarity and ensure that it follows Associated Press style.

The copy editor is responsible for writing one 300 - 1000 word story each week. The stories should pertain to UAA and the Anchorage community and will fall under one of the following sections: news, arts and entertainment, features, or sports. Also, the copy editor may be assigned stories as needed.

They are responsible for finding an image to use with their story and writing a caption for it.

The copy editor attends a weekly pitch meeting with the associate editor, who also provides content edits on their work. The copy editor completes copy edits on their own stories.

The copy editor is under the managing editor. The copy editor ensures that reporters are using unbiased language in reporting. The copy editor must complete all edits by weekly deadlines. They are expected to help anyone on the paper who needs copy edits and/or training.

The copy editor attends pitch and staff meetings with reporters to discuss stories and give feedback on editing. They hold weekly office hours and turn in a timesheet with comments every other week. They work with other staff on the paper to prepare, develop and repackage content for use in other projects.

Weekly expectations:

• Hours: 5 - 15 hours per week
• Office hours: 2 hours per week (outside of meetings in the office)
• Attend weekly pitch meeting with general assignment reporters
• Attend weekly staff meeting
• Complete copy edits on all written stories, photo essays and cartoons
• Pitch one new story per week
• Submit a draft of one story per week
• Submit a final draft of one story per week
• Submit a picture with a caption for their story each week

Minimum qualifications:

To be eligible for student employment, an applicant must:

• Be enrolled in the University of Alaska system with a minimum of six credit hours in the current semester of employment; or
• Have been enrolled the preceding semester for six or more credit hours and demonstrate plans to enroll for six or more credit hours in the next semester for employment between semesters; and
• Have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA), be in good academic standing, or approval from the MAU Senior Student Services officer or his/her designee.
• Students enrolled in non-traditional programs of study will be considered eligible for student employment with the approval of the Senior Student Services officer.
• An applicant must provide evidence of enrollment as outlined above to substantiate employment eligibility.
• Position reappointment is contingent upon successful progress toward degree completion and performance evaluation.

Position details:

This is a Student Assistant 2 position that works 5-15 hours per week, with a starting pay of $15.26/hour.

This position is open to undergraduate students only.

This is a pooled position and applications are reviewed as needed. Submission of an application does not guarantee review or a job offer.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kim Morton.

The University of Alaska is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team.

The University of Alaska is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.