There are numerous ways you can contribute to the NOVA Fortnightly. You can submit news tips here, or if you’re intersted in regularly working with us you can apply for a position.

All available positions listed below, some may already be filled for this semester.

All former staff must reapply–everyone has an equal shot at each position.

Click here to complete and submit the online application.

Staff Reporter

Reports to: Section Editor

The Staff Reporter is a general assignment writer responsible for finding and reporting the news. They are the backbone of any news organization. The reporter will collaborate with Section Editors to identify newsworthy events and then conduct interviews and research in order to give a complete, fair and accurate account.

Specific duties include:

• Generating story ideas and submitting them to section editors
• Attending campus events as assigned by editors
• Conducting interviews with campus officials
• Seeking out and identifying unofficial sources
• Confirming all facts
• Writing stories according to AP and house style
• Providing factual information and accurate quotations

Staff Photographer

Reports to: Section Editors

Staff Photographers are responsible for presenting the news in pictures. Photographers will attend major campus events as well as photo shoots for feature stories and the photo archive. Staff photographers will need to provide their own equipment (preferably digital), and may be required to spend a few hours a week “on call.”

Specific duties include:

• Capturing quality images to enhance major news stories
• Attending events and photo shoots as assigned by Editors
• Collaborating with reporters to compose shots that will convey the news visually
• Writing stories as needed or desired to accompany their photos
• Writing accurate cutlines
• Maintaining complete records of the details of the photo shoot or event

Copy Editor

Reports to: Training Director

Copy editors are entrusted with making sure no errors get into the paper. They also make sure that stories are structured, written, and presented in a way that is easy for the reader to follow. They are the last people to see copy before it is sent into the layout process.

Specific duties include:

• Editing stories, including
  • Ensuing accuracy and eliminating libelous statements
  • Correcting spelling and grammatical errors
  • Eliminating wordiness
  • Protecting and polishing the language
  • Correcting inconsistencies
  • Formatting to fit AP/house style
  • Eliminating passages in poor taste
  • Making certain the story is readable, eliminating wordiness while maintaining the original tone of the story
  • Making certain the story is complete, leaving no unanswered questions and ensuring fairness
• Proofreading and correcting finished pages
• Editing wire copy to be sure that it conforms to house style and other standards already listed for local stories
• Coordinating with Section Editors and reporters on rewrites as necessary
• Other tasks as assigned by Training Director, Managing Editor or Editor-in-Chief

Layout Designer

Reports to: Managing Editor

The page designer is the last step in the production process, assembling all the articles, charts, photographs, and advertisements secured by other departments into the final product, a print issue of NOVA Fortnightly.

Must be able to participate in periodic meetings at the Alexandria campus and perform large portion of work at Alexandria office.

Specific duties include:

• Designing and completing production of pages
• Coordinating with editors to ensure that production is completed in a systematic way
• Working with photographers and graphics artists to ensure best possible design
• Communicating as needed with the printing company
• Maintaining a file of all original materials developed for NOVA Fortnightly
• Other tasks as assigned by Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor

Technical skills:

• Excellent graphic design skills required
• Proficiency in Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, and desktop publishing software
• Ability to learn updates and explore new programs that become readily available
• Experience with Macintosh and Windows computers

Graphics Artist

Reports to: Managing Editor or Editor-In-Chief

The Graphics Artist is primarily responsible for developing visual aids for articles published in NOVA Fortnightly and at NOVAFortnightly.com. The Graphics Artist also assists Marketing & Sales and other departments with graphics-related projects. The Graphics Artist works closely with the Production Director, photographers, and reporters to develop visual aids for articles.

Specific duties include:

• Evaluating stories for graphics potential
• Designing eye-catching visual aids such as graphs and charts that enhance and clarify stories in NOVA Fortnightly and on NOVAFortnighly.com
• Working with various departments in designing and producing posters, brochures, flyers, and other graphic material for NOVA Fortnightly and NOVAFortnighly.com
• Maintaining a file of all original materials developed for NOVA Fortnightly
• Assisting Photography Director in preparing photographs for publication in NOVA Fortnightly
• Other tasks as assigned by Editor-in-Chief and/or Managing Editor
• Ensuring that all photo needs are met by staff or by incorporating photos from outside sources if necessary
• Maintaining photo archives

Technical Skills

• Excellent graphic design skills required
• Proficiency in Photoshop, Excel, and desktop publishing software
• Ability to learn updates and explore new programs that become readily available
• Experience with Macintosh and Windows computers

Operations Manager

Reports to: Editor-in-Chief

This person is generally responsible for administrative and non-editorial duties to ensure the efficient operation of NOVA Fortnightly.

Specific duties include:

• Attending staff meetings and administrating conference call and meeting notes/recordings
• Maintaining office supply inventory and grouping supply requests
• Maintaining the general organization of the main office
• In cooperation with Managing Editor & Editor-In-Chief, maintaining a contact information database for staff members
• In cooperation with Campus Administration, maintaining a contact information database for local sources
• In collaboration with Photography Director, maintaining photo archives
• Reserving meeting rooms, food services and equipment as necessary
• Sorting and screening of incoming mail
• Preparation of human resource files
• Assisting with payroll at the end of each semester
• Compiling expenses & revenues; drawing up budgets
• Researching & Proposing national press & media awards
• Researching & Proposing current media business models
• Coordinating group activities designed to build synergy
• Other duties as assigned by Editor-in-Chief

This person will also be responsible for coordinating various activities outside of the day-to-day operations, but within the core business, of NOVA Fortnightly. Such projects will be determined by the Editor-in-Chief and may include readership surveys, “town hall” meetings and coordination of travel.

Web Editor

Reports to: Editor-In-Chief

The Web Editor is generally responsible for maintaining NOVAFortnightly.com. They will work with administration and production staff to design a web site that is visually appealing and user-friendly that mirrors the format of the print edition of NOVA Fortnightly.

Specific duties include:

• Supervising the operation of all NOVA Fortnightly web properties, to include NOVAFortnightly.com and Fortnightly Classifieds.
• Formatting and posting articles, graphics and photos from creative staff to student voice web site
• Advising on technical needs to improve web site as necessary
• Serving as technical contact for web site problems
• Creating interactive content to enhance news articles and features
• Creating or coordinating the creation or acquisition of multimedia content to supplement NOVA Fortnightly articles
• Keeping all links to outside pages updated
• Monitoring and mediating web forums & article comments
• Collaborating with Section Editors to ensure that the website is of the same caliber as the print edition
• Assisting with other IT projects as needed
• Other duties as assigned by Editor-in-Chief or Managing Editor

Thoughts Editor

The Thoughts Editor is responsible for editing Op-Ed pieces and letters to the editor to ensure that published submissions are well organized and supported. The Thoughts Editor should have a strong background in current affairs, both on the local and international level. Specific duties include:

• Reading all letters to the editor and submitting the best ones to the editorial board for review
• Soliciting & producing Op-Ed pieces from experts, faculty & students on a given topic
• Coordinating regular opinion columns
• Ensuring that all assertions have a factual basis
• Preventing libel in Op-Ed pieces, unsigned editorials and letters to the editor

Marketing and Sales Director

Reports to: Editor-in-Chief

The Marketing & Sales Director is responsible for developing programs and materials to increase readership (marketing) and advertising revenue (sales).

Specific duties include:

Marketing

• Liaising with the public to get feedback about the publication
• Creating posters and other materials
• In collaboration with Campus Administration, ensuring circulation at each campus

Sales

• Preparing sales plans
• Selling advertising to local and national clients
• Developing new accounts
• Coordinating design services for advertising clients
• Preparing monthly and biannual revenue reports
• Consulting with clients
• Preparing invoices
• Forwarding all ads secured to production by deadline
• Advising on ways to improve sales: keeping abreast of current trends & innovations in Marketing & Advertising