Position Title: News Writer

Department: Communications

Date Prepared: November 2022

FLSA Status: Salary, Exempt

Full Time

Standard of Christian Commitment

The divine mission of the Seminary mandates that all personnel must demonstrate a commitment to the purposes of the Seminary. Every employee shall be an active member of a local church of believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is expected that conduct becoming a follower of Jesus Christ will be portrayed in the community.

Job Summary:

The News Writer in the Office of Communications is responsible for managing the news about the seminary, serving as an assistant editor of Southwestern News, and serving as an assistant editor of Seminary Hill Press.

Essential Job Functions / Responsibilities

• Write news articles about seminary matters.

• Proofread/edit copy.

• Generate story ideas.

• Coordinate development and execution of editorial content of each issue of Southwestern News, including writing features and other content, editing other content, and proofing magazine with excellence.

• Provide editorial and proofing assistance for other seminary publications, including branding and marketing materials, advertising, websites, and academic journals.

• Manage editorial projects of Seminary Hill Press, including helping to turn prospective content into books published by SHP.

• Create and manage publication schedules for news, Southwestern News, and SHP titles.

• Perform other related duties as assigned and specific to area of responsibility.

Skills / Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work well with a team.

• Ability to write journalistically and evaluate sound news stories.

• Interviewing skills.

• Proficiency with proofreading/editing.

• Knowledge of Associated Press and Chicago Manual styles appropriately applying each to the appropriate editorial content of the seminary.

• Ability to serve as editor of the News section of the seminary website and post news stories and other content on the section.

• Must be proficient working with Microsoft Office software.

• Must be able to functionally use both Mac or PC hardware and software.

• Experience with Adobe InDesign and/or InCopy preferred but not required.

• Careful attention to detail in editorial matters is essential.

• Possess a strong work ethic and initiative.

• Ability to multi-task and be a team player.

• Exhibit exemplary social skills and ensure considerate interactions with colleagues and public.

• Exhibit a humble, patient, and collaborative spirit in order to create a healthy and vibrant work culture for the staff team.

Qualifications / Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or English preferred.

• Theological education, preferably a master’s degree in some related field, is preferred, given the context of the work.

• News writing experience of at least two years.

• Successful completion of background check, MVR, and credit check may be required.

Supervision:

• Reports to Director of News and Information.

Decision-Making Responsibilities:

• Editorial judgment about the relative value of news stories is required, and then how best to frame news and feature stories for the intended audience.

• Editorial judgment about the relative worthiness of potential SHP projects.

• Working with potential printers to produce SHP projects.

Exposure to Confidential Information

• Knowledge of developments within the seminary that are not likely widely known and require confidentiality is a common factor of the position. Discretion is required.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.

• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds.

• Must be able occasionally to travel to different locations (on-campus or off) to interview subjects, cover events, perform research, etc.

• Must have the physical ability to operate a computer.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

• Frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.