Title: Contest and Critique Coordinator

Location: Minneapolis, Minn.

Website: http://www.studentpress.org

Description: NSPA has an opening for a program coordinator for contests and critiques. The contest and critique coordinator oversees national contests and critique services for the National Scholastic Press Association and Associated Collegiate Press. NSPA and ACP set the standards for excellence in student media. Scholastic and collegiate student media (online, newspapers, yearbooks, magazines and broadcasts) are submitted for juried contests or for evaluations, and the person in this position coordinates these programs. This is a highly visible position among our members as well as contest panels and judges. Compensation package:

• $16-17.50 per hour, depending on experience
• Benefits include:
  • Full medical and dental insurance for employee
  • Paid vacation (15 days)
  • Paid holidays (10 days)
  • Up to 7% employer match for 403(b) retirement plan

Responsibilities: Duties include acting as liaison between outside judges and the office, matching submitted work with the appropriate evaluator, ensuring quality control and transparency in the judging process, publicizing contest and critique programs, and answering questions via email or phone. Customer service is a significant component of this job. The coordinator also provides support to the executive director on various programs as assigned. Paid travel to four out-of-state conventions per year as well as attending local events is required. Travel includes weekends. This is a non-exempt position of 40 hours per week.

• Critiques
  • Recruit new judges for both scholastic and collegiate programs; maintain current files of existing judges
  • Monitor judges’ progress and deadline adherence
  • Calculate judge payments on regular schedule; collect necessary IRS forms
  • Receive critique entries and enter into database (roughly 1,100 per year)
  • Match publication type and need with appropriate judge; send to judges with guidelines
  • Review content of critiques and check for quality; calculate ratings; prepare award certificates/plaques.
• Communicate with staffs or advisers about content of critiques
• Return critiques and publications to school with scorebook, certificates and plaques
• Process requests for rating appeals
• Promote critique service

• Contests
  • Work with executive director to establish contest rules and deadlines; evaluate and revise rules as needed
  • Coordinate contest mailings: solicit entries, annoucements to winners, deadline reminders
  • Receive entries and enter into databases
  • Recruit judges for ACP/NSPA general excellence (Pacemaker) and individual contests
  • Gather feedback after each judging event and compile into usable format for members
  • Recruit judges for Best of Show at national/regional conventions and coordinate contest entries and judging
  • Organize contest presentations at convention awards ceremony
  • Coordinate scholarship contests (NSPA Honor Roll, Honor Roll Scholarships, Wikoff Scholarship)
  • Coordinate selection of images from award-winning publications for online gallery or ACP/NSPA publications
  • Promote contests and scholarships

• Minnesota Programs / Minnesota High School Press Association
  • Work with executive director and Minnesota journalism advisers to coordinate events exclusively for Minnesota high school students (NHL Minnesota Wild, Guthrie Theater)
  • Assist with planning and implementation of fall state convention
  • Organize, promote and facilitate recognition/contests for Minnesota students
  • Develop additional programming for Minnesota students
  • Update website using WordPress

Qualifications: This position requires a detail-oriented person with the skills to take initiative and work independently, as well as part of a team; the ability to prioritize work assignments; the capability to multi-task and to perform related tasks outside the job description. Depending on the individual’s background and work flow, additional tasks may be related to publicity, revising or developing resource materials, assisting with recruiting speakers for conventions and marketing the programs to existing, lapsed and potential members.

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, marketing, business, education or relevant field
• Professional, friendly, courteous interpersonal skills
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to relate effectively with a diverse variety of individuals
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and keep deadlines
• Ability to work independently and to manage projects with little direction
• Ability to use office database for search and data entry; use email and Web for communication and research
• Exemplary record of attendance and punctuality
• Must agree to basic criminal and financial background check
• Must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time and able to lift up to 50 pounds

Preferred experience

• Background in student media, journalism or education
• Program coordinator experience of at least one year
• Familiarity with standards of quality and responsible journalism
• Demonstrated experience with FileMaker Pro or similar database software
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite software (InDesign, Photoshop)
• Familiarity with WordPress or other Web-based content management system
• Experience working with nonprofits, schools or government agencies

To apply: Interested applicants should send the following as email attachments (PDF preferred and encouraged): a specific cover letter, current résumé and list of three to five references.

Send to Mr. Logan Aimone, executive director, at logan@studentpress.org. Reference this job. No recruiters or telephone calls please. Applicant review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.