SPORTS EDITOR
News-Press & Gazette Co. of St. Joseph, Mo., is seeking a locally focused sports editor to lead staff efforts in our community of 80,000 residents and the surrounding two-state region. This includes quality content and packaging for the print edition (the News-Press), engaging contributions to our digital platform (newspressnow.com) and social media channels, and support for sports content on the broadcast television station (FOX 26 KNPN) that is part of our converged newsroom.
This is a hands-on position that requires both leadership and reporting skills. The ideal candidate has had experience in a sports editing/reporting role with demonstrated skills in multimedia journalism, teamwork, staff management and interactions with sources and readers. A commitment to encouraging the staff as it uses and adds multimedia skills also is expected. Candidates from the Midwest are strongly preferred.
The minimal requirements include a four-year college degree with a concentration in journalism or communications, plus several years of practical experience. A valid driver’s license and a safe driving record also are required. Employment is contingent on passage of a drug screening and a background check.
Prospective candidates should make their interest known as soon as possible. To apply, send a brief letter of introduction, current resume, names of three references, and three to five examples of your best work to Dennis Ellsworth, Executive Editor, St. Joseph News-Press. Emailed applications are welcomed at dennis.ellsworth@newspressnow.com. The mailing address is 825 Edmond, St. Joseph, MO 64501; the phone number is (816) 271-8550.
The St. Joseph News-Press is an equal opportunity employer.
More about this opportunity with the News-Press:
Our coverage area is a rich environment for someone passionate about sports. The News-Press distributes about 25,000 copies daily across 21 counties in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. The prep sports tradition is strong in this part of the world. In addition, we are home to two strong NCAA Division II programs (Northwest Missouri State University and Missouri Western State University) and one NAIA program (Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan.).
We also are host to the highly competitive St. Joseph Mustangs of the MINK summer collegiate baseball league and for the past four years have carried the title of “Summer Home of the Kansas City Chiefs” with the NFL team moving its training camp to Missouri Western. We also have competitive junior weightlifting programs, a boxing scene and active adults and youth involved in everything from hunting and fishing to softball, soccer and golf.
Finally, with St. Joseph located about 45 miles north of downtown Kansas City, Mo., our region includes many fans of the Chiefs, Royals, Cardinals and Sporting Kansas City; major college programs including Missouri and Kansas; and NASCAR, which runs races at the Kansas Speedway.
Our primary focus always is our local athletes and competitions, but we seek balance in our coverage to meet these diverse interests. Our staff includes three full-time reporters and editors (including the sports editor) and six part-time reporters and clerks. We also seek to develop more user-generated content.
