Copy Editor - Omaha World-Herald

So what's the average annual snowfall like in Omaha? Unliveable?

 

32 inches. Found that out by using Google. Answer in 0.09 seconds.

 

Also would add that if you're in a newsroom with Crutch, you're in a good place.

 

Thanks for stopping by, Crutch.

...

(Joking, of course. Thanks. Bump_Wills.)

 

Very well played.

 

Thanks. I thought about going with "outing alert -- Bump_Wills is Josh Crutchmer" but that one seemed more ironic.

Anyway. The posting.

It really is open to all comers. We have some opportunities to grow as a department and this is part of it, so we don't want to limit it to experience, or lack thereof, for that matter. We'd just like to work to do a better job in 2007 than 06, and have that show in the paper, and we're interested in anyone who is, well, interested, in being a part of that.

The desk setup won't surprise most people. We do have more copy editors than designers. Some people do straight editing and never touch design. Some cross over and some strictly design. We ARE a statewide paper (All of Nebraska and part of Iowa, actually), so there are multiple deadlines, but we structure our nights so that every story gets multiple reads and editors have a lot of time on their side to do their jobs.

... The snow itself probably won't impress anyone from the North, particularly those from the Great Lakes/Upper Midwest. Could I stand warmer, less windy winters? Abso-flipping-lutely..

 

Mr. Crutchmer,

What's the pay range (feel free to give a ballpark figure), for that job?
I'm assuming they'll get someone with a few years under their belt, so I'm just curious. Not interested in that job, per se, but interested in what the pay is in Omaha compared to where I'm at.
Thanks.

 

I'll add my praise to the work they do in Omaha. I used to get to see Mr. Crutchmer's fine work here in Oklahoma, and currently I'm loving everything they've been doing in Husker-land. One of the guys who is there now, Tim Parks, is spoken highly of around his old shop, the Tulsa World, where I now ply my trade. They've got a good thing there, and this job has to be a good chance to get in somewhere where there are lots of people (Josh, Tim, Dave Elsesser) who know what they are doing not just design-wise but also content-wise. Whether you concentrate on designing or editing, someone who is successful here should be able to go wherever they want to for their next job.

Plus, they set helmets on fire for their OU-Nebraska Big 12 title game preview. How cool is that? (Thinking about it now, though, it seems that may have just been because it was so cold up there in Nebraska in December.)

 

First, thanks for the kind words.

OK. I was asked about how this job would pay. And I feel kind of like I need to cop out — or at least provide a backhanded answer — for a couple of reasons:

1. It's not my department. Our sports desk members answer directly to SE Thad Livingston, whose boss is AME/Sports Jeff Carney (also the AME to whom you apply in this job). So I personally think I'm out of line to put anything explicit out here, even if it's just a ballpark. ... If we're talking a design position that falls under my scope, then that's quite possibly a different story.

and (probably more significant, and of more help with the question) 2. This isn't a "replacement position" where someone left and we know what kind of experience/salary/skills we're replacing. We do have some needs, and we're addressing them too. But this specifically is an opportunity to grow as a department, specifically on the desk (the same type of opening that led to me being hired, originally, as sports design director in 2006). It's not a "Moneyball" move, but it IS a quest to find the best available person, regardless of experience, salary or skills. So even a very ballpark guess could have a chilling effect. If the guess is too high, then young (or newer) people shy away, and if it's too low, veterans don't give it a second thought.

That's a very longwinded answer. But if it helps, I'll add this: If you're interested, apply. I certainly wouldn't say that if I thought it would be a waste of your time, regardless of where you're at or what your specific situation is.

Or, put another way: We want to get better. And sometimes, to do that, you ask, "What position can we add that'll help the most?" ... But this time, we're asking, "What person can we hire who will help the most?"

I hope that's a fair answer. You know, for a cop out, at least.

 

Anyone know the timetable for filling this job?