Features Editor

Job Title: Features EditorRequisition Number: 832Area of Interest: JournalismDivision: NewspapersWork Location: Boulder Daily CameraCountry: U.S.State/Province: ColoradoCity/Town: BoulderFull Time/Part Time: Full TimeIf part time, specify numberof hours per week: 40Commercial Driver's License Required (CDL)?: NoJob Description: Features/Entertainment EditorJob description:Oversee the Camera's features/entertainment department. Plan, coordinate and oversee the coverage of general news-features, features, lifestyles, entertainment, food, home and garden coverage -- local and wire, as well as in print and online - and supervise the features reporting staff for the Camera, www.DailyCamera.com, Longmont Living, Fit and other publications and Web sites as appropriate.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:1. Coordinate and edit coverage of local and wire features, entertainment and lifestyles news and features, and edit weekly print feature sections - including but not limited to Essentials, Friday Magazine, Life & Arts, Longmont Living, Fit - of the Camera, as well as it's Entertainment and Lifestyles Web sites and other associated sites and sections. Monitor appropriate wires and localize stories when needed.2. Know the local arts, entertainment, music and lifestyles communities and their key figures. Be informed about current issues and events within those communities.3. Responsible for direct supervision of the features reporting staff, which includes recruiting, training, evaluating and scheduling reporters and freelancers whose primary responsibility is local entertainment and lifestyles news and features coverage, blogging, etc..4. Work closely with reporters to develop content and direction of stories, blogs, Web multimedia, social media, etc. to further their skills. Provide ongoing performance feedback and keep track of reporters' progress on daily assignments.5. Collaborate with other news-gathering teams and editors within the newsroom - note, this position may change slightly in the near term to have this editor work within a universal desk of editors from the Camera's cityside, business and outdoor recreation and Colorado Daily editing staff - to ensure orderly division-wide operation. Meet daily copy flow deadlines to copy desk, design and other production-oriented departments. Coordinate layout and production of features, entertainment and life presentation with the copy desk and online.6. Create accurate and updated feature section budget for the daily and weekend budget meetings.7. Use good judgement on the merits of features, entertainment and lifestyles stories, both local and wire, to produce the most complete features/entertainment/lifestyles report in print and online, ensuring the Camera is the leader and competitive on news/information within this arena.8. Edit stories for appropriate lengths, improving clarity and style while ensuring that the stories are accurate and meet Camera standards for style, grammar and spelling. Suggest innovative headlines and layout approaches.9. Be innovative, reader-focused and forward thinking in developing and presenting accurate information that is essential, authoritative and engaging in print and online. Analyze readership research to understand readers' needs and wants.10. Responsible for maintaining high standards of professionalism and customer service, both with colleagues and external contacts.OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:1. Keep the editor informed of progress, problems and activities of features staff.2. Attend community and local arts, entertainment, music and lifestyles functions as a representative of the Camera.3. Attend weekly meetings as directed by the editor.4. Perform other duties and special projects as required.ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS:Position requires a variety of some or all of the following: lifting, carrying, climbing stairs, walking in a variety of terrain and weather conditions, use of telephone, and driving motor vehicles. Frequent keyboarding and mouse work, which requires good finger dexterity. Vision sufficient to do extensive work on a computer. Good oral communication skills are necessary for clearly communicating with reporters, copy editors, designers and other staff. Work is generally performed in a standard office environment.QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor's degree required, preferably in journalism. Minimum 5 years of newsroom experience - or equivolent such as in online publications - required, preferably as a features reporter, assistant editor or editor. At least 2 years supervisory experience desired. Creativity in assigning and editing stories is necessary as well as encouraging innovation and experimentation both in print and online. Demonstrated understanding of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and Associated Press style. Familiarity with libel, privacy, open meetings and other laws related to news. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and productive work relations with employees through strong verbal and written communication skills. Proficient in computer skills beyond basis keyboarding required including experience in MS Office, Quark Xpress, Harris, Web publishing tools including the Camera's content management system, blogging, video and other multimedia as well as various other programs.