Editorial Board

Editorial Board

To apply to any of the below positions please send in a resume and a brief platform outlining your vision for the position. Applications can be sent to Emily Waitson, editor@thecord.ca.

Due: March 21, 2016 at 6:00 PM

News Editors x2
 The News Editors are expected to have strong time management skills, exhibit comfort in interviews, be very organized and be diligent in ensuring their work is factually correct. Due to the nature of the sections, it is preferable that the news editors are able to work comfortably in high stress situations. They must:

  • Oversee a lead reporter and work with them to hone their skills;
  • Assist in recruiting and training volunteers;
  • Contribute a minimum of one editorial per year;
  • Contribute one feature per semester;
  • Develop content ideas for the section and submit them to the Editor-in-Chief on a set deadline;
  • Be consistently up-to-date with the issues, concerns and events occurring within the respective field of coverage;
  • Have knowledge of the operations within Laurier Campus as well as the outside community;
  • Be well versed in the issues, concerns and events of the respective section;
  • Hold weekly section meetings with volunteers and distribute content ensuring everything is covered;
  • Provide feedback to volunteers weekly;
  • Receive stories from volunteers, edit them for structure, content and CP style;
  • Submit all stories to the Editor-in-Chief on a set deadline, unless otherwise negotiated;
  • Be prepared to cover last-minute stories during Monday and Tuesday production;
  • Place visual requests for all stories in a proper timely fashion;
  • Collaborate with the Creative Director to lay out section;
  • Contribute no less than two video ideas per month; plan and execute them with the help of the Video Editor and Multimedia Director;
  • Dedicate equal time to planning and executing web-exclusive content and visuals;
  • Manager The Cord News twitter account;
  • When using social media in regards to The Cord or WLUSP, the editor is expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner
  • Attend Editorial Board Meetings once a week

Candidates for this position will be required to conduct an editing test at the time of their interview. They will be provided a news story and given 20 minutes to edit it as thoroughly as they can. This test is to show the applicant’s knowledge of proper structure, grammar, spelling and CP Style. 

 

Arts and Life Editor

*Filled position

The Arts and Life Editor is expected to have thorough knowledge of their field, present strong time management skills, and exhibit comfort in conducting interviews. They must be organized and diligent in ensuring their work is factually correct. They also must:

  • Assist in recruiting and training volunteers;
  • Contribute a minimum of one editorial per year;
  • Contribute one feature per semester;
  • Be consistently up-to-date with the issues, concerns and events occurring within the respective field of coverage;
  • Develop content ideas for the section and submit them to the Editor-in-Chief on a set deadline;
  • Hold weekly section meetings with volunteers and distribute content ensuring everything is covered;
  • Provide feedback to volunteers weekly;
  • Cover stories that aren’t taken by volunteers;
  • Receive stories from volunteers, edit them structure, content and CP Style;
  • Submit all stories to the Editor-in-Chief on a set deadline, unless otherwise negotiated;
  • Place visual requests for all stories in a proper timely fashion;
  • Collaborate with the Creative Director to lay out section;
  • Contribute no less than two video ideas per month; plan and execute them with the help of the Video Editor and Multimedia Director;
  • Dedicate equal time to planning and executing web-exclusive content and visuals;
  • Manage The Cord Arts twitter account
  • When using social media in regards to The Cord or WLUSP, the editor is expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner
  • Attend Editorial Board Meetings once a week

Candidates for this position will be required to conduct an editing test at the time of their interview. They will be provided an arts story and given 20 minutes to edit it as thoroughly as they can. This test is to show the applicant’s knowledge of proper structure, grammar, spelling and CP Style.

 

Sports Editor
 The Sports Editor is expected to have thorough knowledge of their field, present strong time management skills, and exhibit comfort in conducting interviews. They must be organized and diligent in ensuring their work is factually correct. They also must:

*Filled position

  • Assist in recruiting and training volunteers;
  • Contribute a minimum of one editorial per year;
  • Be consistently up-to-date with the issues, concerns and events occurring within the respective field of coverage;
  • Develop content ideas for the section and submit them to the Editor-in-Chief on a set deadline;
  • Hold weekly section meetings with volunteers and distribute content ensuring everything is covered;
  • Provide feedback to volunteers weekly;
  • Cover stories that aren’t taken by volunteers;
  • When necessary, travel for provincial and national championships;
  • Receive stories from volunteers, edit them structure, content and CP Style;
  • Submit all stories to the Editor-in-Chief on a set deadline, unless otherwise negotiated;
  • Place visual requests for all stories;
  • Collaborate with the Creative Director to lay out section;
  • Contribute no less than two video ideas per month; plan and execute them with the help of the Video Editor and Multimedia Director;
  • Dedicate equal time to planning and executing web-exclusive content and visuals;
  • Manage The Cord Sports twitter account
  • When using social media in regards to The Cord or WLUSP, the editor is expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner
  • Attend Editorial Board Meetings once a week

Candidates for this position will be required to conduct an editing test at the time of their interview. They will be provided a sports story and given 20 minutes to edit it as thoroughly as they can. This test is to show the applicant’s knowledge of proper structure, grammar, spelling and CP Style.  

 

Features Editor

The Features Editor must exhibit creativity in planning long-form articles, have strong organizational skills and be diligent in fact checking. They must be comfortable conducting multiple interviews and researching to complete a story. They also must:

  • Contribute a minimum of one editorial per year;
  • Develop content ideas for the section and submit them to the Editor-in-Chief on deadline unless otherwise negotiated;
  • Contribute a story bi-weekly that is approximately 800-1,200 words long for Features or 1,000+ words for In Depth;
  • Place visual requests for the story;
  • Ensure that the story is factually correct and interviewees are not misquoted;
  • Collaborate with the Creative Director, Photo Editors, Graphics Editor, Web Director, Online Editor and Video Editor to ensure the visual elements best convey the article;
  • Contribute no less than one video idea per month; plan and execute them with the help of the Video Editor and Multimedia Director;
  • Dedicate equal time to planning and executing web-exclusive content and visuals;
  • As the sections are alternating biweekly, they are expected to be submitted on deadline to the Editor-in-Chief unless a previously specified reason is given;
  • Encouraged to contribute to other sections when not working on articles;
  • Seek out volunteers or other Cord staff members to contribute to the section;
  • Assist in recruiting and training volunteers;
  • Manage The Cord Arts twitter account
  • When using social media in regards to The Cord or WLUSP, the editor is expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner;
  • Attend Editorial Board Meetings once a week

Candidates for this position will be required to conduct an editing test at the time of their interview. They will be provided a feature and given 20 minutes to edit it as thoroughly as they can. This test is to show the applicant’s knowledge of proper structure, grammar, spelling and CP Style.  

 

Opinion Editor

*Filled position

The Opinion Editor must be diligent in fact checking, be knowledgeable of a range of current events and be able to understand and argue opinions that are different from their own. They also must:

  • Write two (2) unsigneds every week after consulting the editorial board for topics and opinions;
  • Ensure an editor is writing the editorial weekly, or if no one covers it write it themselves;
  • Assist in recruiting, hiring and training columnists;
  • Develop content ideas for the section and submit them to the Editor-in-Chief on deadline unless otherwise negotiated;
  • Place visual requests for any columns in a proper timely fashion;
  • Hold weekly section meetings with volunteers and distribute content ensuring everything is covered;
  • Provide feedback weekly to volunteers;
  • Either write or find alternative contributions for columns if columnists are unavailable;
  • Receive stories from columnists, edit them structure, content and CP Style;
  • Encouraged to brainstorm video ideas where applicable; plan and execute them with the help of the Video Editor and Multimedia Director;
  • Dedicate equal time to planning and executing web-exclusive content and visuals;
  • When using social media in regards to The Cord or WLUSP, the editor is expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner
  • Attend Editorial Board Meetings once a week

Candidates for this position will be required to write an unsigned as a technical test at their interview. They will be provided with a subject, opinion and facts to develop an unsigned appropriate for print.

 

Graphics Editor

The Graphics Editor is required to show creativity and talent in producing illustrations, graphics and info graphics to compliment coverage in The Cord. They must have leadership skills to manage a team of volunteers and show a strong sense of time management. They also must:

  • Assist in recruiting and training volunteers;
  • Contribute at least one editorial per year;
  • Receive graphics requests from section editors; collaborate with the editors and Creative Director to come up with an idea for conveying an appropriate image;
  • Hold weekly section meetings with volunteers and distribute requests;
  • Provide feedback weekly to volunteers;
  • Receive graphics from volunteers and submit them to section editors;
  • Ensure all graphics are edited for online and print;
  • Collaborate with Creative Director, Web Director, Online Editor and section editors to produce online-exclusive graphics and info graphics;
  • Attend weekly Editorial Board meetings;
  • Produce the editorial cartoon or ensure a volunteer is available to draw it on a Monday or Tuesday evening;
  • When using social media in regards to The Cord or WLUSP, the editor is expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner

Applicants are required to provide any two (2) relevant pieces of sample work. 

 

Video Editor

The Video Editor must have knowledge of using camera equipment and editing software and should be enthusiastic to broaden that knowledge. They must exhibit creativity in their filming and recognize the difference between more arts-based stories compared to news-based. They must also train and manage a set group of volunteers, so team management skills and communication is vital to this role. They also must:

  • Receive video requests from the Web Director, EIC or section editors;
  • Expected to cover on average two videos per week with the support of the Web Director and their volunteers;
  • Film, edit and upload The Cord Weekly Update every week;
  • Collaborate with the Web Director and section editors to cover stories and use the editor or writer as a resource and “reporter”;
  • Collaborate with editors to ensure videos exhibit the appropriate tone and information for the story;
  • Edit videos using Final Cut Pro for their volunteers and section editors who shoot their own footage;
  • Train video volunteers to help in the editing process and filming of events to get multiple angles;
  • Provide feedback to volunteers weekly;
  • Create video graphics using flash building software;
  • Collaborate with Multimedia Director to build a video idea bank;
  • Attend every Editorial Board meeting and be involved in the editorial process;
  • Contribute at least one editorial per year;
  • Manage The Cord’s YouTube channel;
  • When using social media in regards to The Cord or WLUSP, the Video Editor is expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner

Applicants are required to provide any two (2) relevant pieces of sample work. 

 

Photo Editor

*Filled position

The Photo Editor is expected to have a diverse knowledge in photography, equipment, and editing software. They must exhibit creativity in many fields (i.e. sports, events, staged photography, etc.). They must also train and manage a team of qualified volunteers, so management skills are important. They must also:

  • Assist in recruiting and training volunteers;
  • Contribute a minimum of one editorial per year;
  • Oversee both Lead Photographers and ensure they are contributing weekly;
  • Attend weekly Editorial Board meetings;
  • Receive photo requests from Cord section editors;
  • Hold weekly photography meetings with volunteers to distribute requests;
  • Provide feedback to volunteers every week;
  • Take any requests that volunteers or Lead Photographers can’t;
  • Assist in Cord production specifically with editing photos for print and web;
  • Ensure online photo albums are consistently updated;
  • Ensure consistent communication with the section editors and EIC about photos;
  • Contribute a photo of the week when a photo is exemplary;
  • Manage The Cord Instagram page alongside the Social Media Coordinator;
  • Share photos with The Social Media Coordinator;
  • When using social media in regards to The Cord or WLUSP, the Photo Editors are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner

Applicants are required to provide any two (2) relevant pieces of sample work. 

 

Online Editor

*Filled position

The Online Editor requires good time management skills and the ability to work with a team. Candidates for this position must convey an understanding of how The Cord operates and have experience in web design, multimedia facets or have the interest in becoming highly proficient in the area in a short period of time. Finally, the Online Editor is expected to have a grasp of the variety of writing styles featured in the newspaper in order to identify the needs of the different sections. They must also:

  • Work closely with the Web Director and assist them with uploading content each week;
  • Ensure the general functionality of the website;
  • Have a flexible schedule as things may need to be uploaded online on short notice;
  • Ensure the proper layout of web content;
  • Continuously work to improve the design of The Cord website in order for it to be user friendly;
  • Monitor the visual layout of the website and suggest changes when necessary;
  • Collaborate with section editors and directors to develop web-exclusive content that either complements or is unique to the coverage in the print edition;
  • Understand the basics of reporting so they can act as the “reporter” for videos when a writer or editor is unable to do so;
  • Have a knowledge or willingness to construct interactive multimedia tools and online graphics such as Storify, ScribbleLive and other interactive websites/tools
  • Knowledge of CSS, HTML, JavaScript are an asset;
  • Work with section editors and photographers to get breaking news covered immediately for the website;
  • Attend Editorial Board Meetings once a week;
  • When using social media in regards to The Cord or WLUSP, the editor is expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner

A technical test will be administered at the time of the interview to gauge candidates’ ability to perform a mock “breaking news” test, where the candidate will have to write a short story and know how to quickly upload onto the website to present the story, photos etc. This test will demonstrate the candidate’s ability to write under CP Style as well as to effectively to use WordPress and multimedia tools.