Copy Chief - Student Media

Washburn University•Topeka, KS

3d•$10•Onsite

About The Position

The Copy Chief is an executive level position within Student Media. Job responsibilities include supervising and training a copy team, who is tasked with ensuring that all content reflects sound news judgment, quality writing free of grammatical errors, accurate information and adherence to the Associated Press Stylebook. About Washburn University: Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of just over 7,000 students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals. Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation. In 2024, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For® program.

Requirements

All employees of Student Media must be enrolled as Washburn or Washburn Tech students. Summer employees must be either taking summer courses or enrolled in fall courses.
Core-level positions require students to be enrolled as full-time students.
Student Media accepts applications from students in all majors and will provide additional training.
Strong communication skills
Ability to critically evaluate information
Ability to rewrite unclear or wordy constructions and remove opinions from news stories
Ability to lead and coach a team of copy editors.

Responsibilities

Applicants must have some schedule overlap with assigned editor-in-chief.
Complete tasks within D2L, Google Docs and file management.
Make phone calls to fact check or clarify information.
Rework large sections of someone else’s writing without altering quotes or facts.
Must commit to a minimum of three hours weekly ongoing training.
Understand and adhere to the Associated Press Stylebook.
Read all content for assigned publications thoroughly.
Hold weekly meetings and provide feedback for staff copy editors.
Provide feedback to both reporters and fellow copy editors
Train editors and reporters to adhere to grammar and Associated Press style
Perform additional job-related duties as assigned.