sports copy editor, Observer Dispatch, Utica N.Y.

From the Gannett site:

Description
The Observer-Dispatch in Utica, N.Y., is looking for a sports copy editor for its information center. The person in this position will edit stories, design and paginate pages and post information on the O-D's Web site, uticaOD.com. The job also involves occasional writing assignments and will involve editing and shooting video for the Web site.

The newspaper places a premium on local prep sports coverage and coverage of local colleges including Utica College, Hamilton College, SUNYIT and Colgate University in addition to two community colleges.

The Observer-Dispatch, A Gannett publication, is located in the heart of central New York state. It is a short drive from the Adirondacks and winter sports venues and is an easy trip to most major Northeast cities.

Requirements
At least a year's experience preferred with a track record of improving publications and exhibiting increasing responsibility. Qualified candidates will need to be able to paginate pages on a Quark-based system and have a mastery of AP Style. The job does require rigorous attention to deadlines and demands an ability to multi-task.

 

Ahhh Gannett. It's no longer a newsroom, but an "information center."

Anyone with comments on this paper/gig?

 

Small, depressed area in Upstate N.Y., but a great department in which to work. The staff is hardworking, pretty close-knit and seems to care about the paper a lot. SE is very good; been there quite a while. It's a good place to get your feet wet. Pay isn't wonderful, but it's a good starting job. Much of the staff stays put, and there's not as much turnover as you'd expect at a paper this size.
As far as coverage, lots of college (Colgate, Hamilton College, a number of CCs, Syracuse), high schools. Cooperstown is close by, too, so HOF gets a lot of attention. You could do a lot worse. PM me for more.

 

I grew up near Utica (near, not in ... thank Christ) and have to say that it's one of the shittiest, most economically-depressed places I've been in my life (and I worked in rural North Carolina for four years). I didn't work at the O-D, so I can't say anything about this job or the working environment -- it may very well be top notch. But if you're in the prime of your career, I'd stay far, far away from Utica, N.Y.