Advisor, The Spectator (Student Newspaper)

Job Description

Seattle University

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University. Student & Campus Life is committed to creating a vital and engaged campus community that challenges and supports undergraduate, graduate and professional students to learn and develop the knowledge, skills, and values needed to lead and serve in an interdependent, global society. 

Position Summary        

The Spectator Advisor provides leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs, strategies, and services necessary for developing and maintaining a student newspaper at Seattle University. This position is a half-time and 11-month position, reporting to the Assistant Provost for Student & Campus Life.

Essential Functions      

The Advisor is responsible for mentorship and operational support for Seattle University’s student newspaper, The Spectator. This role provides direct mentorship, focusing on newsroom management, ethical reporting, media law, multimedia skills, and career preparation. In addition, the Advisor manages the newspaper’s budget and provides oversight of business operations. As part of a hybrid advising model, the Advisor coordinates closely with The Spectator Advisory Board, comprised of interdisciplinary faculty and community media leaders to leverage their expertise, to promote innovative journalism and career development for students.

Major Functions

Student Mentorship and Professional Development (50%)

• Serve as primary strategic and administrative advisor for students engaged with The Spectator.
• Create and maintain a work environment that emphasizes collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills between students on staff and with other student groups.
• In partnership with members of The Spectator Advisory Board, prepare and coordinate training and professional development experiences for student staff.
• Train, mentor and advise student editorial staff, reporters, and photographers on principles of professional journalism using industry standards such as the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA).
• Work with student staff to establish and update internal policies and operating guidelines.
• Provide feedback to editors and reporters on stories, including writing style, factual accuracy, and journalistic balance.
• Support the editor-in-chief in making editorial decisions.
• Support alignment with the department’s commitment to social justice in journalism and in all other mediums utilized.
• Be accessible to the newspaper staff on the day(s) of their deadlines for answering questions and assistance with troubleshooting.

Business and Operational Management (25%)

• Consult with the student business manager on a regular basis to make sure that advertising revenue is in line with the expense of running The Spectator.
• Manage the newspaper’s budget.
• Serve as the administrator responsible for student service awards and employment procedures.
• Conduct assessment and evaluation of newspaper operations on an ongoing basis.
• Maintain The Spectator office, including oversight of related policies and maintenance.
• Assist in tracking equipment used by photographers and reporters.

University and Community Collaboration (15%)

• Serve as an ex officio member of The Spectator Advisory Board. Coordinate, in tandem with the chair, board meetings, policy review, and professional development opportunities for students.
• Build relationships and collaborate with campus and community partners to support newspaper initiatives. foster interdisciplinary collaboration
• In partnership with members of The Spectator Advisory Board, manager of KXSU, and others, to develop opportunities for The Spectator staff to experiment with new technologies, such as data-driven journalism, podcasts, or interactive storytelling.

Student Recruitment, Retention, and Support (10%)

• Meet with students to address issues related to personal development and academic and career decision-making. Provide referrals and support as appropriate.
• Attend and present at campus events as needed.
• Collaborate with Undergraduate Admissions to support recruiting efforts such as accepted student events and campus visits for high school student groups.

Marginal Functions

• Participate in divisional and university committees as needed.
• Deliver formal presentations as needed.
• Ensure regular maintenance of the newspaper’s website.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years professional experience as a reporter and/or editor with a media company OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job as listed above.
• Firm understanding of the use of print and digital formats, including social media.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity and social justice in keeping with the University's mission, vision, and values.
• Effective communication, interpersonal and team-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively one-on-one with students.
• An understanding of and appreciation for student development and services in a Jesuit institution of higher education.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• This position requires a criminal history background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, or college student affairs.
• Experience news writing, news and/or sports reporting, producing, multimedia journalism, and/or investigative reporting in a digital environment.

• Knowledge of innovative best practices in college newspaper management.
• Experience advising a college newspaper.
• Strong counseling or advising experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Demonstrated supervisory and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal, written and organizational skills; capability to multi-task; demonstrated ability to manage budgets, develop and implement assessment, and strategic planning methods and reporting functions. 

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