Final Project Job Descriptions
Below are the job descriptions for the final project. Please read them all before submitting your ballot. You may discover an interest in a position you hadn't been considering.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR BALLOT:
TOP FOUR EDITORS:
1) Executive Editor (1): The executive editor will oversee the entire staff and be the final decision-maker on all matters. This person will set all deadlines and ensure they are met. The executive editor will be responsible for coordinating and planning all aspects of the site, including its vision, scope and editorial voice. This 800-pound gorilla reports to the instructors (publishers). Availability: Must be able to meet frequently with the other editors. Be prepared to spend the last four weeks of school in 511C.
2) Managing Editor (1): This person will manage the content of the entire site and serve as assignment editor. This editor will ensure that all pitches have been vetted and that reporters stay on theme and on deadline. The managing editor will edit all copy, with help from the Q/A editors and others, if necessary. Reports to the executive editor. Availability: Must be able to meet frequently with the other editors and invidually with reporters. Be prepared to spend the last four weeks of school in 511C.
3) Production Editor (1): The production editor will oversee the designers and Q/A editors as they assemble the site. They will also be responsible for managing the site's file structure and ensuring that the site works properly -- from broken images and broken links to pop-ups and interactive elements. This person should understand how the basic file structure of a Web site works and be very comfortable using Dreamweaver. Problem-solving skills are a major plus. Reports to the executive editor. Availability: This person should be available to meet frequently with the main editors, as well as the designers and Q/A editors. Be prepared to spend the last four weeks of school in 511C.
4) Multimedia Editor (1): This editor will work with the designers and reporters to create a multimedia-rich final project. The editor will work closely with each reporters to execute any multimedia elements -- from audio to flash to interactive graphics. This editor should ensure that multimedia elements fit within the theme of the final project and that the appearance of these elements are consistent with the rest of the site. Reports to the executive editor. Availability: This person should be available to meet frequently with the main editors, as well as the designers and Q/A editors. Be prepared to spend the last four weeks of school in 511C.
OTHER POSITIONS:
1) Reporters (16): Reporters play a vital role in the final project, generating all of the content for the site. Reporters will write all copy, record all audio and video and develop any interactive elements related to their stories. In doing so, they will work closely with the appropriate editors to deliver content on deadline. Reports to the managing editor. Availability: While you must make yourself available to various editors and your sources, this position does offer some flexibility since much of the work is done on your own or in small groups. You are required to meet all deadlines set by the executive editor.
2) Designers (3): Designers will work within their given deadlines to develop the look-and-feel of the site, with guidance from the four main editors. They will also be responsible for assembling each page of the site with help from reporters, the photo editor, etc. Reports to the production editor. Availability: This job requires a lot of front-end work during the development of the site's appearance and structure. Obviously, there will be many meetings at the beginning to hammer out the design. This designers will work steadily throughout the month, with a big push at the end to assemble all pages.
3) Q/A Editors (copy editors) (3): The Q/A editors will make sure the copy is clean and adheres to AP and "final project" style guidelines. They will also make sure every link, pop-up, interactive graphic, etc. is working properly. If something on the site is broken, they must work with the appropriate people to fix it. These three individuals will also be charged with creating a style guide (to address situations outside the realm of the AP stylebook) and making that guide available to the class. The managing editor may call on the Q/A editors to help edit the large amount of raw copy. Reports to the managing editor and production editor. Availability: These editors will need to quickly develop style guidelines, including font type and size, caption and headline style, as well as any style points that aren't covered in the AP stylebook. There will be a slight lull before copy comes in (staggered deadlines will help here). You must be available in the final stages to look over copy with a fine-tooth comb.
4) Photo Editor (1): The photo editor will work with reporters to select the best photos for stories and multimedia elements. They will also make sure that every photo and its caption (whether stand-alone or part of a larger multimedia project) adheres to the style guidelines set by the Q/A editors. This person will also help organize photo and video shoots, ensuring that every event is covered and that cameras or other equipment are available for use. May require close contact with the school's equipment-room staff. Reports to the multimedia editor.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR BALLOT:
- Visit this link to access the ballot.
- Fill out ALL fields.
- You can only submit your ballot once, so please make sure it's correct before hitting send.
- The deadline to submit a ballot is Monday, April 3, at noon.
- If you have questions about any of the positions or their time commitments, I suggest emailing me or Jen Brown, since we've both gone through this process before.
TOP FOUR EDITORS:
1) Executive Editor (1): The executive editor will oversee the entire staff and be the final decision-maker on all matters. This person will set all deadlines and ensure they are met. The executive editor will be responsible for coordinating and planning all aspects of the site, including its vision, scope and editorial voice. This 800-pound gorilla reports to the instructors (publishers). Availability: Must be able to meet frequently with the other editors. Be prepared to spend the last four weeks of school in 511C.
2) Managing Editor (1): This person will manage the content of the entire site and serve as assignment editor. This editor will ensure that all pitches have been vetted and that reporters stay on theme and on deadline. The managing editor will edit all copy, with help from the Q/A editors and others, if necessary. Reports to the executive editor. Availability: Must be able to meet frequently with the other editors and invidually with reporters. Be prepared to spend the last four weeks of school in 511C.
3) Production Editor (1): The production editor will oversee the designers and Q/A editors as they assemble the site. They will also be responsible for managing the site's file structure and ensuring that the site works properly -- from broken images and broken links to pop-ups and interactive elements. This person should understand how the basic file structure of a Web site works and be very comfortable using Dreamweaver. Problem-solving skills are a major plus. Reports to the executive editor. Availability: This person should be available to meet frequently with the main editors, as well as the designers and Q/A editors. Be prepared to spend the last four weeks of school in 511C.
4) Multimedia Editor (1): This editor will work with the designers and reporters to create a multimedia-rich final project. The editor will work closely with each reporters to execute any multimedia elements -- from audio to flash to interactive graphics. This editor should ensure that multimedia elements fit within the theme of the final project and that the appearance of these elements are consistent with the rest of the site. Reports to the executive editor. Availability: This person should be available to meet frequently with the main editors, as well as the designers and Q/A editors. Be prepared to spend the last four weeks of school in 511C.
OTHER POSITIONS:
1) Reporters (16): Reporters play a vital role in the final project, generating all of the content for the site. Reporters will write all copy, record all audio and video and develop any interactive elements related to their stories. In doing so, they will work closely with the appropriate editors to deliver content on deadline. Reports to the managing editor. Availability: While you must make yourself available to various editors and your sources, this position does offer some flexibility since much of the work is done on your own or in small groups. You are required to meet all deadlines set by the executive editor.
2) Designers (3): Designers will work within their given deadlines to develop the look-and-feel of the site, with guidance from the four main editors. They will also be responsible for assembling each page of the site with help from reporters, the photo editor, etc. Reports to the production editor. Availability: This job requires a lot of front-end work during the development of the site's appearance and structure. Obviously, there will be many meetings at the beginning to hammer out the design. This designers will work steadily throughout the month, with a big push at the end to assemble all pages.
3) Q/A Editors (copy editors) (3): The Q/A editors will make sure the copy is clean and adheres to AP and "final project" style guidelines. They will also make sure every link, pop-up, interactive graphic, etc. is working properly. If something on the site is broken, they must work with the appropriate people to fix it. These three individuals will also be charged with creating a style guide (to address situations outside the realm of the AP stylebook) and making that guide available to the class. The managing editor may call on the Q/A editors to help edit the large amount of raw copy. Reports to the managing editor and production editor. Availability: These editors will need to quickly develop style guidelines, including font type and size, caption and headline style, as well as any style points that aren't covered in the AP stylebook. There will be a slight lull before copy comes in (staggered deadlines will help here). You must be available in the final stages to look over copy with a fine-tooth comb.
4) Photo Editor (1): The photo editor will work with reporters to select the best photos for stories and multimedia elements. They will also make sure that every photo and its caption (whether stand-alone or part of a larger multimedia project) adheres to the style guidelines set by the Q/A editors. This person will also help organize photo and video shoots, ensuring that every event is covered and that cameras or other equipment are available for use. May require close contact with the school's equipment-room staff. Reports to the multimedia editor.