Chronicle colleagues who care

Freelance workshop at UCB

2008-03-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

UPDATED 3/19: Change in address of event in bold:

Apologies for not refreshing this site. Here's something from former biz pal Pia Sarkar for freelancers:

SAVE THE DATE: Want to break into freelancing, or improve your chances of getting published? Come to AAJA's freelance workshop on Saturday, April 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the library of UC-Berkeley's Northgate School of Journalism. We'll discuss everything from developing story ideas to figuring out who best to approach with your pitches. We'll also go over some of the do's and don'ts of the trade. We have a great line-up of panelists so don't miss out!

The workshop is free to all AAJA members and $10 for non-members.

The Panelists:

DAN FOST is a newly minted freelance writer, working for the New York Times, San Francisco magazine, USA Today, Fortune.com and anybody else who will hire him. For nine years, Dan served as a staff writer at the San Francisco Chronicle, covering technology. For four years, he wrote the paper's media column. He considers himself a generalist and has worked various non-tech beats. He is a native of New Jersey, a graduate of Boston University, and the father of an 8-year-old son.

SALLY LEHRMAN is an award-winning reporter and writer on medicine and science policy who has written for some of the top names in national print and broadcast media, including Scientific American, Nature, Health, Salon.com, and the DNA Files, distributed by NPR. Her honors have included the 1995-96 John S. Knight Fellowship; a shared 2002 Peabody award, Peabody/Robert Wood Johnson Award for excellence in health and medical programming, and the Columbia/Du Pont Silver Baton (for the DNA Files). She is the at-large director for the Society of Professional Journalists, where she had served as national diversity chair for 10 years. She is also a USC Annenberg Institute for Justice and Journalism Senior Fellow on race. She works in her home office with her assistant Daisy, a Saint Bernard.

MARK ROBINSON is the articles editor for Wired magazine. He covers the impact of technology on everything from television and religion to baldness cures and cream-cheese manufacturing. Prior to joining Wired in 2001, he was an editor for the Industry Standard, overseeing coverage of the media industry. He also spent six years as a daily newspaper reporter, hopping from California to Pennsylvania to North Carolina. Originally from Silicon Valley, Robinson attended Stanford University's master's program in journalism.

RUSS RYMER is an award-winning journalist and author whose career has been split between editing and writing. His freelance work has appeared in many magazines, including The New Yorker, Harpers, Atlantic, Smithsonian, The New York Times Magazine and The New York Times Book Review. His first book, Genie: A Scientific Tragedy, was a finalist for the National Book Critics' Circle Award. His second book, American Beach: A Saga of Race, Wealth, and Memory, was named a New York Times Notable Book. Rymer has served as the editor-in-chief of Mother Jones magazine, executive editor for Portland (Oregon) Monthly, and senior editor for other regional and national magazines. He is currently working on his third book, Out of Pernambuco, to be published in 2008. He is also teaching two science-writing classes at UC-Berkeley.

The Moderator:

ALICE C. CHEN is an award-winning journalist, whose work has appeared in various places, including Newsweek, Chicago Magazine and Chicago Public Radio. Previous to her freelance career, Alice was a staff reporter on the education beat at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Alice also has experience in television and radio news. She earned her B.A. in history from Stanford University and her master's degree in journalism at Northwestern.

Job opp: Writer for book project

2007-10-24T17:34:00.000-07:00

Here's one from Kathy Seligman:

Writer needed for book project

A group of San Francisco doctors want help writing a book proposal and the book itself about the obesity epidemic and what can be done when diets fail -- the various surgical options available, psychological and physical problems that may occur from those options and correction of deformities created by massive weight loss. They are looking for a writer who has experience in writing/publishing books and dealing with agents and publishers. Interested people should contact Dr. Donald Brown, who is a plastic surgeon, at 415-923-3005. His e-mail is: dbrown@drdonaldbrown.com

Farewell from Heather Maddan

2007-10-23T13:39:00.000-07:00

Here's a note that Heather Maddan sent to the newsroom last week:

Today was my last day at The Chronicle. Thank you to all the inspiring, dedicated and talented people who made my seven years at the newspaper so interesting and enjoyable. In some ways I never thought I'd leave - believing that in the remarkable city of San Francisco there will always be a place for print journalism, but an unexpected opportunity came and I'm on my way. Starting Monday, I'll be working for Sugar, Inc. as the editor of the soon to be launched baby website, lilsugar.com. Though I am excited about my next endeavor, I am sad to leave my post as a Style reporter where I have been fortunate enough to work for Anastasia Hendrix, a creative genius who runs two sections with a great sense of humor and hardly any staff. And, Meredith White who always had an open door when I needed to pitch a story or complain about unprocessed paperwork. A special thanks to Peter Hartlaub for letting me contribute to his ingenious baby blog, The Poop. And, Dick Rogers who encouraged me long after my stint in Readers Rep.

I've appreciated every opportunity this company has given me and plan to remain a faithful reader of the paper - wishing all of you much success.

Heather Maddan
hmaddan@sugarinc.com
heathermaddan@hotmail.com

Job opp: Director of news research at NYT

2007-10-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

Director of News Research
The New York Times

The New York Times is seeking exceptional candidates for Director of News Research. Inquiries will be accepted until Oct. 31.

The director has an MLS or equivalent in experience, is an excellent researcher and has a successful record of managing a group of more than six researchers whose portfolios include national and international news, business and culture. This is a job for a manager who welcomes change. The director will help lead efforts to create a multimedia newsroom that upholds The Times' standards.. Above all, the director must be an effective communicator.

The job itself is demanding in hours and diverse responsibilities. The work includes both onsite time and on-call time. Our ideal candidate can:

Understand news and news-gathering needs
Communicate and collaborate with newsroom editors
Negotiate contracts and manage budgets
Direct comprehensive research projects, including database work
Oversee collections of physical and electronic resources, including archives
Teach and guide reporters and editors
Inspire a staff of 10 researchers
Work equally on daily questions, produce encyclopedic materials for the Web, build internal electronic resources and direct a staff.

The director reports to Terry Schwadron, Editor, Information & Technology, The New York Times, 620 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10018. E-mails to tschwadron@nytimes.com, with Research Director in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

Job Opps: Financial news reporter, North Bay

2007-10-04T22:16:00.000-07:00

From Dan Fost:

Reply to: editor@dealflowmedia.com
Date: 2007-09-27, 6:20PM PDT

A growing North Bay financial news publisher is seeking energetic staff reporters and editors to cover emerging alternative investment markets full time for our semi-monthly newsletters. We are looking for journalists with a strong interest in finance, hedge funds, and alternative investment classes.

We need aggressive reporters who can dig up news on market trends and events and deliver original news and analysis on innovating investment markets. You should have at least two years of experience as a reporter for a print or online news publication, preferably a targeted financial newsletter or investment publication. Strong computer skills in MS Word, Excel and Outlook are required. An understanding of capital market dynamics, securities law, and alternative investments is highly desirable.

This is a full-time staff position with top pay and full benefits in our comfortable modern offices, located 30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge in sunny Petaluma. Interested persons should reply with resume, cover letter, and links or attached writing samples, to editor@dealflowmedia.com.

Job Opps: Reporter/Photographer - Thompson Citizen

2007-10-04T21:55:00.000-07:00

Here's a note we received from John Barker, Editor,
Thompson Citizen/Nickel Belt News, which has a posting for a reporter/photographer position:

Having spent some time in California, I doubt any of your former colleagues are interested to moving to Northern Manitoba in Canada just before winter sets in, but I've read your Chronicle colleagues who care: We're thinking of you blog a few times and remember well enough what it's like myself to be looking for a journalism job at various time over the years. We're owned by Glacier Ventures International Corp is in Vancouver, which owns 40 community papers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and British Columbia, including a lot on the on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. The B.C. papers include the Whistler Question, Squamish Chief, Lillooet Bridge River News, Sunshine Coast Reporter, Powell River Peak, Nelson Daily News, Cranbrook Daily Townsman, Kimberley Daily Bulletin, Trail Times, Fernie Free Press, Grand Forks Gazette, Grand Forks Boundary Bulletin, Creston Valley Advance, Kamloops Daily News, Prince Prince Citizen and Kodiak Press.

Cheers,

John Barker
Editor
Thompson Citizen/Nickel Belt News
P.O. Box 887
141 Commercial Place
Thompson, Manitoba
R8N 1N8
Tel: (204) 677-4534
Fax: (204) 677-3681

He also included a link "to one on Jeff Gaulin's Job Board, which is widely used by Canadian journalists looking for jobs and employers looking to hire.''

http://www.jeffgaulin.com/jobs/JobDetails.asp?id=4452

Job opp: Tech reporter for Dow Jones

2007-10-01T17:04:00.000-07:00

Here's an opening for tech reporter at Dow Jones News (in SF), brought to our attention by Anna Chan, who's over at KGO-TV.

http://careers.peopleclick.com/jobposts/Client40_DowJones/BU1/External/PCK314-6942.htm

Farewell from Kathleen Rhodes

2007-09-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

First of all, thank you
to everyone for
the amazing and overwhelming
send-off(s), emails, and well wishes -- it was the best.

I have taken way too long to say goodbye and I have been spotted in and around the Chronicle building a couple of times this week (9/18). I will probably be around a bit going forward as well.

Wordsmithing goodbyes is just not in my "skill set" As everyone has said, talented, passionate, mostly fun people make up the "culture" of the Chronicle and that is still true. The 20 plus years I spent with you have been wonderful (hindsight requires tinted glasses ;> ). I know I expected to be researcher there for another decade or two but things change.

I am not sure what the next phase will be. It has after all only been a week. There are some good things that involve the Guild, which should only last a minute or three. Whatever I do I expect it will be interesting and fun. It more than likely will not have the wonderful mix of people who have made up my life at the paper. The list is enormous, I will miss those connections.

My latest new toy is a turntable with software (Audacity) and a usb cable for converting those old vinyl lps to computer files. Quite fun actually -- get to hear some old stuff and marvel at how short those sides are.

I am around, holler if you want to chat.

Kathleen

Farewell from La Tricia Ransom

2007-09-19T14:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a note from La Tricia Ransom, who left The Chronicle last week:

I'm so glad we had this time togetheerrrr ...

Almost everybody's saying it, so it must be true: there's a heap of great folk working here, and I leave tomorrow with mixed emotions of sadness and excitement for what the next half of my career might be.

I started with the Hearst Examiner 8 1/2 years ago, barely a year before the sale/merger/whatever-the-heck-that-was, first on the night copy desk, then with the features desk. Until early last year, spent all of my Chron years with the late, lamented Friday section.

And yet I have friends all over the newsroom. Maybe it's the shared trauma of learning this Danish masterpiece known as CCI, or maybe just my sparkling personality , but when I was on the CCI SWAT team helping with the training and rollout of this love-to-hate-it system (I personally rather like it, but then that's me), I got the chance to get to know people in other departments that I otherwise would have only nodded hello to, and my job was made all the richer.

In addition, I got to know folks through my participation in the newsroom committee started by Louis Freedberg, and the diversity committee, which I did not start but from the start of the merger, tried to resurrect goose into action. We got some things accomplished, the participants on both these committees. But they were short-lived and ... well, don't let me get started.

My Friday section colleagues became like a family. Now for some folks, that's not necessarily a good thing, but in this case, it was. We shared laughs and private-life stories and lunches and bagels/pastries on Tuesdays and outings to the Tonga Room and film Fridays -- the last three thanks to Deb Brown -- and updates on families and... As you can see, I still miss that and it's been two years since the section was killed.

My Metro Desk colleagues are made up of a couple of Friday friends and plenty of former Examiner desk jockeys, so my arrival and subsequent transition were both pretty easy. It has been great fun getting to know the others I hadn't already worked with, and I will miss you and my Friday folk the most.

I have partied with some of you outside of company-sponsored holiday events (remember those?), and as a consequence have developed some dear, personal friendships that I hope will continue in the absence of the convenience of being in the same building together.

I have had squabbles with a few people, but none were based on animosity or a lack of respect. Just strong-minded, strong-willed people exchanging perspectives. LOL! In those exchanges, I often came away with a new understanding of the issue, and sometimes even changed my position, or theirs. But never felt I had made or become an enemy.

I don't know where my next stop will be -- when I was away rehabbing my elbow this spring, a job search was the last thing I thought I needed to be doing -- but I hope that I will get to work with as many fun, talented, intelligent, passionate people as I have here.

Job opps: Chicago Tribune

2007-09-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

Kay Luo of LinkedIn tells me that the Chicago Tribune has openings right now and if anyone at the Chron is interested, they should send over a resume ASAP. I don't have any info beyond that, but you can start fishing around their site for phone/e-mail contacts.

UPDATE: I'm told there's an unspecified number of biz jobs, beats to be determined. You can send your resume to Jim Kirk, associate managing editor for business:

jkirk@tribune.com
or
snail mail/phone:
Chicago Tribune
435 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 222-2484

Job opp: Writer for UC Berkeley

2007-09-12T18:12:00.000-07:00

Here's one from Kathryn Bader at UC Berkeley. She tells me that the job is suited to an established journalist or feature writer accustomed to balancing deadlines and priorities, and to addressing varied audiences (both staff and faculty). Print-journalism experience is highly desirable. It is not an entry-level position, or particularly well suited to those seeking to transition from other communications fields. You can find the online posting at http://jobs.berkeley.edu/.

Posting Title: Principal Writer
Requisition: 007224
Department: University Relations
Location: Off Campus-Berkeley
Salary: $47,844 - $67,836
First Review Date: 09/25/2007

Job Description:

The Office of Public Affairs plans and implements communications and media strategies to enhance public knowledge and support of the University of California, Berkeley. University Communications, a unit within Public Affairs, has primary responsibility for campus communications, their editorial content, and print and online publishing and design. The staff works as a team to convey the quality, diversity, vitality, and preeminence of UC Berkeley to its many audiences.

Effective communication with the campus community is a critical component of this mission, improving the operation of the campus and disseminating the message of Berkeley's quality and value to broader audiences. The primary vehicles for campus communication are the Berkeleyan, a weekly eight-page newspaper for faculty and staff, and the campus NewsCenter, newscenter.berkeley.edu.

The Berkeleyan Writer works with Public Affairs staff and with contacts all around campus to gather the most essential and compelling campus news and determine the best way to present it.

Responsibilities:

Identify, Report and Write Campus News (75%).
* Using sound news judgment and knowledge of campus priorities, gather story ideas from campus and propose them to the Berkeleyan Editor, or take on story assignments from the Editor. Work with the Editor to determine the most appropriate approach and scope for scheduled articles, encompassing a broad range of topics. Research subjects, interview sources, and write news, feature stories, briefs, and captions in a clear, lively style, working under weekly deadlines.
* Work closely with Editor to revise stories as needed. Adhere to Associated Press and Public Affairs editorial styles.
* Identify art and graphics to illustrate stories and schedule photography as needed, in consultation with the Editor and designer.
* Cultivate a broad network of campus contacts, with special attention to assigned beats, and check with them regularly to keep abreast of campus news and developments. Work closely with all Public Affairs writers to coordinate story ideas.
* Working with the Berkeleyan staff, write award announcements, publication notices, news and research briefs, and calendar items.
* Write headlines, photo captions, charts, sidebars, and other related materials.
* Work with designer as requested on layout and graphics; assist with proofreading in Quark or other applications and formats.
* Coordinate and carry out special projects, packages, or sections for the Berkeleyan as needed.
* Attend weekly editorial meetings to determine content. Participate in long-term planning for content.
* Maintain broad knowledge of current campus issues and issues in higher education.
General Assignment Writing (25%)
* Assist with writing for other Public Affairs and campus publications, as assigned.
* When the Berkeleyan is on hiatus, continue to cover campus news for publication at the online UC Berkeley NewsCenter. (Also during these periods, develop story ideas and evergreen stories for post-hiatus editions of the Berkeleyan.) Continue to work with the Berkeleyan Editor on these stories.
* Take on special Public Affairs writing assignments as assigned by the director of University Communications, with workflow coordinated by the Berkeleyan Editor.

Requirements & Qualifications:

* Substantial professional experience and demonstrated excellence as a news and/or feature writer, with solid news judgment and a clear and lively writing style.
* Experience in a fast-paced editorial setting, working under tight deadlines with competing priorities.
* Ability to develop compelling story ideas into engaging multi-source articles, interacting with people at all levels of the university.
* Ability to understand the campus's complex, multi-level organization and to exercise discretion and sound judgment in dealing with sensitive or confidential issues.
* Excellent interpersonal, interviewing, and research skills.
* Commitment to accuracy, an eye for detail, excellent grammar, knowledge of style standards for newspapers, and the ability to apply all of these in your writing.
* Proven effectiveness in working on teams.

This position has been designated as sensitive and may require a Criminal Background Check. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of a Criminal Background Check.

Lessons on using LinkedIn

2007-09-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

If you missed Kay Luo's tutorial on how to best use LinkedIn to find your next job, no worries. I was there and took notes for you.

Kay, who's director of communications at the company, previously offered those affected by the newsroom cutbacks a free account upgrade.

Based on what I saw in today's one-hour demo, I think it's definitely worth opening an account if you haven't already done so and spending some time on the site playing with the different features and search functions.

Below, in no particular order, are some of the main tips worth your consideration. If you attended the session and want to add something I missed, feel free to add it in the comments.

My Profile: In addition to filling out your work experience as much as possible, be sure to include keywords your want to be found under (multimedia, technology, editor) under "specialties" which is located under "summary" (in the "My Profile" tab)

Your connections: Kay said that a user needs at least 20 connections to have good visibility on the network. However, as her personal rule of thumb, she generally only accepts connections from people she would, say, trust with her cell phone number. She also noted that it's not entirely about quantity of connections but the quality -- LinkedIn's effectiveness is largely based on leveraging people's trust in you. If you have a hundred connections with people you hardly know, how effective will they be in putting in a good word for you and giving you an edge in the job hunt?

Tell your network you're looking for a job: Once you have your profile set up and a decent number of connections, inform the network that you're in the job hunt. Under the "Profile" tab, go to "edit my profile" and right above your name should be "forward." Click on that, select your recipients, and then compose your message. TIP: In your subject line, briefly state what you're after ("I'm looking for a new career ..."). You can always elaborate in the body of the message. Kay said this was one of the most powerful tools of LinkedIn -- and that it could be an especially effective way to find jobs that aren't listed yet.

Advanced search, the real "gem": Kay spent a fair amount of time during the tutorial focused on "advanced search" under the "People" tab. She described this tool as a real "gem" because of all the different ways to use it. For example, if you're not sure what your career track should be (hmmm, what comes after being a multimedia editor?), you could do a keyword search on your existing/previous job title to see the profiles of other LinkedIn folks who had a similar position. Then you could see what there next jobs were, the companies they worked for, the skills they have, etc. All of this could guide you in your next move and how you might position yourself. It could be a good way to dig up career ideas, based on other people's profiles. Another way to use advanced search: If you landed an interview, see if the interviewer has a LinkedIn profile. Research their background to find out their job experience, as well as things you might have in common (same school, interests, positions). One more example: If there's a specific company you want to work for, enter it into the company search field and see whose profiles come up, and the degree of separation. Then leverage your close connections to get you that interview, even if it's just informational.

E-mail signatures: A simple but helpful thing -- include in your e-mail signature the URL (Web address) to your LinkedIn account. This way, if you e-mail someone about a job opening, the recipient can get easy access to your profile and get a quick sense of who you are. If you haven't already done so, you should customize your URL to something that resembles your name. For example, instead of something like "www.linkedin.com/9o8asjdfasdfj," you might have "http://www.linkedin.com/in/marcuslowchan," which is simpler and more intuitive. You can customize it in "My Profile" and then look for "public profile."

Get recommended: Raise your profile by getting recommended. It will also elevate your standing in the "Services" tab. It's another way to stand out among the crowd.

I hope this helps.

Marcus
http://www.linkedin.com/in/marcuslowchan

Job opp: Tech editor at TheStreet.com

2007-09-10T16:55:00.000-07:00

Here's one from former biz reporter Pia Sarkar, who now writes for TheStreet.com:

TheStreet.com, a New York-based financial news site, is looking to hire a technology editor for its San Francisco bureau. Interested candidates should have some prior editing experience, preferably in business. Must work well under tight deadlines. The office is staffed by five reporters and a bureau chief, all very friendly and laid back. For more information, please contact Pia Sarkar at pia.sarkar@thestreet.com or TheStreet's San Francisco Bureau Chief, Michael Goodman, at michael.goodman@thestreet.com

Now that you're LinkedIn, how to use it

2007-09-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, Sept. 11, Kay Luo from LinkedIn will offer a tutorial at The Chronicle on how to use the social networking site to find your next job. The session begins at 1:30 on the first floor of 49 Mary, the food building. There's about a 30-seat capacity, so priority will be given to those affected by the most recent round of cutbacks.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP with Kathleen Rhodes at krhodes@sfchronicle.com

The tutorial will last about an hour.

And if you don't have an account, or want to get a free upgrade, check out this earlier posting.

Job opp: Copy editor/writing coach for high school project

2007-09-04T17:12:00.000-07:00

Here's one from Nanette Asimov:

A collaborative consisting of the Contra Costa Times, the Lesher Foundation, the Contra Costa County Office of Education, and CSJI is looking for a freelance journalist (or retired journalist) to act as a copy editor/writing coach for a newspaper to be produced by students at Contra Costa high school this next academy year (October through May). Approximately 8-10 hours a week average, communicating with student writers via email, helping them improve their copy for publication, $750 per month. The newspaper will be districted to county schools initially, then included in the CC Times.

Contact me if you are interested or know individuals who might be.

Steve

Steve O'Donoghue, Director
California Scholastic Journalism Initiative
steveod@caljournalism.org
(415) 509-1518

Farewell from Rick Nobles

2007-09-04T17:04:00.000-07:00

I'm not a person who is comfortable with risk. But seven years ago, I decided to leave a paper where I believed I'd have a secure income and five weeks of vacation until I retired to join a paper that was about to undergo a change of ownership and the merger of two large staffs. That risk was rewarded with the best job ever. I've had far more fun and done much better work than I imagined possible.

I can't mention all the great people at the Chronicle who've made an impression on me, but I can't resist thanking or acknowledging some of the folks who gave me opportunities or helped me do the job better or just made life at the Chron more enjoyable. Many of them are still around.

First, thanks to Eric Jungerman, my former neighbor, for alerting me to an opening in the art department and being my advocate just as the Mercury's version of Michael D. Brown was stomping on my last nerve.

Thanks also to Rich Pestorich, Tyra Mead and Ron Mann for giving me a warm welcome to the Bay Area centerpiece team and for all the laughs and rumor vetting at the weekly planning meetings. (Remember when the Chronicle bought food every time three or more people gathered in a conference room?)

Thanks to everyone associated with the Friday sections. So many sweet people and so much dedication to good journalism. I never would have believed that designing covers for zoned community features sections could be so satisfying.

Thanks to Steve Zuckerman for being so well organized, for caring so much and for respecting and appreciating my contribution to the Sunday business sections back in the day. And for his heart of gold.

Thanks to Dave Lewis for all the deep discussions about Big XII football and basketball -- and a whole lot more.

Thanks to Allen Matthews for including me on a team of terrific people who got CCI up and running and introduced it to the staff. It's a rare pleasure to work for a manager who understands the phrase, "If it ain¹t broke, don't fix it."

Thanks to Jim Finefrock for the war stories and for being so pleased with my Insight covers and treating me more like a partner than a servant. My years with Insight were the best gig ever.

Thanks to Vicki Haddock and Jonathan Curiel for providing Insight with a steady stream of thorough and thoughtful reporting in contrast to the ivory tower scribes who wrote freelance pieces off the tops of their heads. (Hello, professor? Would it kill you to pick up a phone?) And thanks for all the warm (Vicki) and entertaining (Jonathan) conversations.

Thanks to Jon Ferguson for taking ownership of the Insight copy editing, for catching our mistakes and always making the display type the best it could be.

Thanks to Lois Kazakoff for being incredibly competent and organized in everything she does and for the tons of work she did on the Portraits of Sacrifice section. And to Russell Yip, who came up with the idea and worked equally hard to pull it off.

Thanks to the world's greatest photo department for the pictures, the laughs and especially for the wonderful collaborations. It's been a privilege to work with so many talented and generous photo editors, and all the shooters who put down their cameras long enough to keep things humming on the desk.

And finally, thanks to my fabulous neighbors in the art department.

To the incredibly talented and overworked guys in the graphics pod who made everyone's pages look smart. To all the designers, the art directors and Nan for the feedback and brainstorming.

To Ed Rachles and Don Asmussen for the countless hours of entertainment. Ed was a daily source of smiles and chuckles. Don has brought me tears of laughter more times than I can count. His presentation at the SND conference in San Jose had me laughing so hard for so long I thought I'd suffocate.

To our departed illustrators -- Bill Russell, Tom Murray, Dan Hubig and Lance Jackson -- for making my pages sparkle with their drawings and for frequently coming through on very short notice. Thanks especially to Tom and Dan for the great conversations and for offering ideas for my own illustrations. They helped prepare me to conjure my own concepts after they left. And thanks to Lance just for being Lance.

It's been great. I¹ve worked for three Bay Area papers, and we have an amazing community of journalists here. I'll miss you people, but I hope I get to see you from time to time. You can contact me at ricknobles@comcast.net.

So, as a lovable news editor at the Daily Review used to say on his way out the door every night: That's 30 for me.

Publishing opp: San Francisco Downtown

2007-09-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITY

San Francisco Downtown, a free life style magazine serving Downtown since 1992, is for sale. Solid brand and good opportunity for a journalist with an entrepreneurial flair and business savvy who may wish to stay in the business or in SF.

Ideally positioned to serve the exploding Mission Bay district in addition to SoMa and adjacent neighborhoods.

Buyer should plan on hiring a full time advertising salesperson or perhaps partner with one if he/she prefers the editorial side. Sales have been handled by the publisher's wife part-time (23 days per week) for several years after he underwent heart surgery.

Asking $97,500. Publisher will carry paper for well qualified buyer with meaningful down.

Email questions to: gordon@sfdowntown.com

Job opps: Communications director, research director, field organizers

2007-09-01T09:54:00.000-07:00

Here's one forwarded to us by Dan Fost:

Communications Director:

A new nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the efficacy of state-level governance in California is seeking a communications director. The position can be based in San Francisco or Sacramento, but San Francisco is preferred. Communications Director will be responsible for developing and executing the communications strategy for a comprehensive, statewide, bipartisan governance reform effort, beginning with the organization's launch this September. Will work closely with team to build public awareness and involvement for specific reforms. Strong writing skills required. Campaign experience, knowledge of the state's media markets, and press corp is a plus. Competitive salary and benefits. Please send resumes to mweedn@deweysquare.com

Research Director:

A new nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the efficacy of state-level governance in California is seeking a research director. This person will be responsible for developing information to guide strategic decision making and ensure high quality of knowledge is readily available to staff and stakeholders. Ability to write concise, efficient briefing documents on a number of issues is a priority, as is accuracy and thoroughness on all projects. This position will work closely with the executive director, policy director and communication staff to develop, monitor and guide research activities. Excellent organizational skills are a must, as this position will be responsible for tracking and updating project knowledge and outcomes to ensure success in future campaigns. Public knowledge of public policy is required, and experience in policy making arena is preferred. Position can be based in San Francisco or Sacramento. Competitive salary and benefits. Please send resumes to mweedn@deweysquare.com

Field organizers:

A new nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the efficacy of state-level governance in California is seeking three field organizers to arrange the logistics of the statewide launch of the group. Positions will be responsible for identifying appropriate venues, contacting and scheduling meetings with key individuals in cities where launch events will take place, managing invitations to community leaders and local elected officials, and handling all meeting logistics. Excellent organization skills and campaign or field background required. Competitive salary and benefits. Please send resumes to mweedn@deweysquare.com

Job opp: Assistant director of CIIJ at SFSU

2007-09-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

Assistant Director in San Francisco

Salary: Open
Type: Full Time - Experienced

San Francisco State University’s Journalism Department seeks an assistant director for the 17-year-old Center for Integration and Improvement of Journalism (www.ciij.org). CIIJ addresses issues related to diversity and the news media through programs and research for students, journalism educators and journalism professionals. CIIJ strives to improve the Four Rs of the Journalism Pipeline: Recruitment, Retention, Revitalization, and Research. Founded at San Francisco State University in 1990 CIIJ believes that accurate and responsible journalism reflects the changing demographics of the society it serves. We develop programs and conduct research aimed at recruiting, retaining and revitalizing journalists and journalism educators. We seek to make journalism more inclusive from the classroom to the newsroom.

Requirements:
Candidates must possess a strong commitment to diversity in journalism, prior journalism or journalism education experience, excellent contacts in the profession and/or in journalism education; at least four years of professional and/or academic experience; previous teaching and/or managerial experience, ability to teach courses in diversity and journalism, at least a B.A. and an M.A. preferred.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

-- Organization and performance of various administrative and technical duties in support of the day-to-day operations of this function including programming, fundraising and research
-- Providing journalism students with support services
-- Interpretation and application of specific operating policies and procedures in the organization, monitoring, and performance of related activities
-- Adherence to requirements and guidelines of the University Corporation, SF State and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
-- Preparation of applicable reports
-- Performance of other duties as required

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

-- Implementing a strategic plan
-- Managing CIIJ’s high school, career and research programs.
-- Fundraising, budgeting and planning
-- Developing curricula for use in college and high school journalism programs
-- Designing, implementing and revising CIIJ programs
-- Designing and leading workshops for students, professionals, educators
-- Supervising staff of students assistants
-- Working with a broad range of constituencies, including faculty and staff; SF State administration and Development Office staff; college journalism students; high school students; journalism educators; journalists; foundation and corporate representatives; the news media, and the public
-- Provide students with internship, scholarship and other career information including cover letter and resume critiquing.
-- Actively participating in journalism organizations and committees
-- Public writing and public speaking
-- Compliance with all University Corporation, SF State requirements and guidelines including grant reporting and budget requirements

Position open until filled. Email a letter of application describing your qualifications and interest in the position, a resume and three references to Cristina L. Azocar, Ph.D. Director, Center for Integration and Improvement of Journalism, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco, CA. 94312-1722, cazocar@sfsu.edu. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

Preferred Education: Masters

NOTES: US Residents Only. Salary is commensurate with experience and includes an excellent benefit package.

Apply online at http://careers.poynter.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=2655219.32

A Toast to Leslie Guevarra

2007-08-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

Here's your chance to salute Leslie Guevarra.

The Filipina Women's Network is hosting a special "Toast to Leslie Guevarra" on Friday, Sept. 14. Here's some information from the non-profit organization:

Leslie Guevarra is a news and communications professional based in San Francisco. Her more than 25 years in the industry has included work as a newspaper reporter and editor, host of the public affairs program "The Filipino American Journal" on KTSF-TV, a podcaster for the San Francisco Chronicle's "Pinoy Pod" and a senior newsroom manager. Leslie received the Filipinas Magazine Achievement Award in Communications in 2003 and most recently was a deputy managing editor for The Chronicle.

September 14 Friday
6:30pm No-host Cocktails 7:00pm Dinner & Program
Savoy Room (30th Floor) Crowne Plaza Union Square
480 Sutter St. San Francisco CA 94108

Questions? 415.278.9410

For tickets, please click HERE

Farewell from Mitch Stephens

2007-08-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

Dear colleagues:

Like many of you, I've have had a tough time getting through all the goodbyes the last couple months. Like the subjects we report and write on, everyone has a unique story to be sure. As a full-time staffer here for only four years (worked seven overall) mine certainly isn’t as rich or textured. Also, I “worked” largely in the field so I didn’t get to know many outside of the sports department.

But truly – warning Will Robinson warning, a cliché approaches! – truly it was an utter honor to work alongside so many world-class journalists. When my 5-year-old daughter grows up I’ll be able to tell her I once shared by-lines with Mark Fainaru-Wada and Ron Kroichick, that my stories ran with pictures taken by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographers, were edited by ultimate pros like Kurt Aguilar and the legendary Pete Cafone, and enhanced by ground-breaking news reporters such as Henry Lee, Jim Zamora and Demian Bulwa. She’ll have a laugh when I tell her I actually gave future rock stars Rusty Simmons and Will McCulloch a little direction – directions to Castlemont and De La Salle High Schools, that is. She won’t have a clue what it means to be mentored every day by Dave Dayton, but then no words can express what a remarkably unique and expansive experience that has been. A wide smile will have to do. She’ll know I once worked for the best boss on the planet because hopefully one day Glenn Schwarz will double as her soccer coach and start her future career as well. It’s been an utterly enriching ride for me.

Thanks to all, good luck in all endeavors and if ever in need of high school sports contacts – I know there are many of you! – feel free to contact me at any time at mstephens@maxpreps.com or mitchstephens@comcast.net.

Sincerely,
Mitch Stephens

Farewell from Robert Collier

2007-08-25T09:53:00.000-07:00

I have worked at the Chronicle for 16 years, most of that time as a reporter covering foreign affairs. International news is not just my job but my fascination and obsession, so these have been wonderful times. I’ve been able to travel extensively, crawl around jungles, sit in Baghdad waiting for the bombs to arrive, and attempt a rather unique style of foreign news coverage. While there have been some disagreements in the crafting of that strategy, I strongly feel that the world does indeed matter and that we must adventure beyond the Washington-New York policy mindset to cover it.

I’m leaving the newspaper at time when most media are reducing their foreign news coverage, so my departure is with both relief and sorrow. The usual clichés truly do apply here — I’ve had the privilege of working with some immensely talented people, some of whom are still at the paper, and I wish them continued courage and inspiration. It truly is a noble calling, and although we newspaper scribes certainly would be materially richer if we had chosen another profession, we would be intellectually and spiritually poorer.

I’m off to UC Berkeley, where I will be visiting scholar at the Goldman School of Public Policy, focusing on the politics of global warming. I’ll be starting a campuswide blog, doing freelance writing, and writing a book on China and global warming for UC Press. Please stay in touch! My personal email is: collierrobert@yahoo.com.

Upcoming departures

2007-08-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of folks who plan on departing the Chron in the coming week and beyond, courtesy of Kathleen Rhodes (who is also on the list):

Leaving Frid August 31:
David Armstrong — Business reporter
Paul McHugh — Outdoors reporter
Bill Pates — Letters to the editor
James Sterngold — reporter
Betty Hayes — Classified department
Bill Beninghof — Assoc Acct Exec The Gate
Al Cox — Associate Acct Executive The Gate

Leaving in September:
Rick Nobles, artist graphics dept, Tue 9/4/2007
Vickie Haddock, editor Insight, Wed 9/5/2007
Neivath Cheung, assistant archivist library, Fri 9/7/2007
Kathleen Rhodes, research librarian and unit chair, Thu 9/13/2007

Job opp: Assistant editor fluent in Chinese

2007-08-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the infrequent postings. Just back from vacation. Here's the first of many as I catch up with my e-mail:

Assistant Editor/CHINESE MEDIA MONITOR

New America Media, the country's first and largest national collaboration of ethnic news organizations, seeks an assistant editor with fluency in Chinese to monitor the Chinese-language media, report on the Chinese-American community and build strong editorial relationships with Chinese-language media nationwide.

About New America Media:

Founded by the nonprofit Pacific News Service in 1996, NAM is headquartered in California, where ethnic media are the primary source of news and information for over half of the state's new ethnic majority.

NAM's goal is to promote the editorial visibility and economic viability of this critical sector of American journalism as a way to build inclusive public discourse in our increasingly diverse, global society. NAM produces and aggregates editorial content from and for the ethnic media sector and develops pioneering marketing services on behalf of corporations, foundations, and non-profits who are targeting ethnic media and ethnic communities.

The Assistant Editor/Chinese Media Monitor helps NAM stay on top of the news concerning the Chinese-American and Asian-American communities. By monitoring the Chinese-language media and keeping up-to-date knowledge of news about the Chinese community, the candidate will help bring visibility to the Chinese media sector and promote more coverage of the Chinese-American community.

Responsibilities:

--Maintain working knowledge of top news and issues in Chinese media and Chinese-American community
--Generate story ideas
--Maintain and build working relationship with Chinese media editors and reporters
--Monitor Chinese-language media daily for content relevant to mainstream readers
--Choose stories daily from the Chinese media, translate and summarize in English for wider distribution online
--Translate full-length stories weekly from Chinese media
--Report and write news and feature stories with focus on Chinese-American community.
--Assisting with program outreach
--Update New America Media website with fresh, relevant content
Create HTML-based newsletters and emails

Requirements:

--Fluency in Chinese. You must be able to read with ease at least two to three Chinese newspapers daily and cull stories from them to highlight on the NAM website
--Ability to translate stories from Chinese to English accurately
--Two to three years of solid journalism experience in writing, copy editing, headline writing and fact checking
--Strong sense of news and attention to detail and accuracy
--Enthusiasm for news related to the Asian-American and Chinese-American communities
--Knowledge of issues relevant to the Chinese-American community, including immigration, health, education, civil liberties, and politics

Technical Requirement

Familiarity with technology including Macromedia Dreamweaver, basic HTML, content management systems, and basic Photoshop

Plus: Any experience with multimedia, radio and public relations would be helpful.

This is a full-time position with full benefit package including vacation, medical and dental insurance. Please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample in the body of the email to Mary Ambrose, Managing Editor, mambrose@newamericamedia.org.

Farewell from Vanessa Hua

2007-08-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

While growing up in the Bay Area, I wrote short-short stories – blurbs, really – that twice won a Chronicle contest for kids. (It earned me $100 and a photo of myself in the paper wearing a bolo tie. It was fashionable at the time. If you wish to embarrass me, you can find both the story and the photo in the archives.)

Following stints at the Los Angeles Times, the Hartford Courant, and the late, great Hearst-owned San Francisco Examiner, I wound up at 901 Mission Street after the merger.

It is amazing to write for your hometown paper, to cover a region that you love, for an institution that you held in high regard all your life. My mother makes copies of my articles and hands them out at her office. My father brags to friends and acquaintances – anyone he meets -- that I'm a reporter for the Chronicle. And so did I, for the last eight years.

I roamed the Bay Area, seeking tales. I helped chronicle the dot-com boom (and crash). I camped in the Nevada desert at Burning Man, walked among rows of factory workers stitching stuffed animals in China, and sat down with a teenage prostitute in Burma. I had beers with adoptees in Seoul. I ate dim sum in Panama with a Kuomindang recruiter. I traveled with Frontline/World to South Korea. And along with Christian Berthelsen, I exposed how a Chinese American leader funneled a state grant into the campaign coffers of Secretary of State Kevin Shelley. For that investigation, Phil mentioned me in a house ad, and Don Asmussen wrote me into "Bad Reporter" strip -- which I count among the top moments of my career.

My goal, then and now, was to shine a light into dark corners, to tell the untold stories. And to have fun doing it. It was a privilege and an honor to work here.

Many thanks go out to Susan Sward, who gave me advice whenever I needed it; Pati Poblete, who fought for me and my stories; to Ken Howe and Marcus Chan who honed my reporting skills and encouraged me to go after "conceptual scoops"; to Rosey, whose enthusiasm helped push me on stories, to Steve Proctor and Ken Conner, who granted me many opportunities, and to Phil, who throughout my career at the Examiner and Chronicle encouraged my ambition and offered much guidance.

To all the many fine journalists here: You make me proud. Thank you for helping me make me a better journalist, and a better person. Many have left. Many remain, and I wish everyone the best of luck. My parting wish is that the fight for diversity in our coverage and hiring is not lost. The paper needs to reflect the Bay Area, if it has any chance of surviving.

I'm going back to my first love: fiction writing. I am working on my novel at the MFA program at UC Riverside, on a Chancellor's fellowship.

Please keep in touch --- Vanessa.Hua (AT) gmail.com

Farewell gathering for Rob Collier

2007-08-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

Say goodbye to Rob Collier and help him celebrate his 16 years here at The Chronicle. The shindig will be at the Tempest on Friday, August 17 from 6:00 PM onward.

Web resource for freelancers

2007-08-14T12:52:00.001-07:00

Here's a tip from Chronicle small biz columnist Ilana DeBare:

I just encountered a new source who consults with people who are starting consulting businesses. (Okay, getting a little circular here!) She is offering a free Web seminar on Sept. 12 about how people who are new to consulting can generate business. I think it would be applicable to folks who are starting freelance businesses. See http://www.goingsoloconsulting.com/index.html

Farewell from Mark Camps

2007-08-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

From the '84 Olympics to Barry Bonds' 755th, I've enjoyed every day being a member of the Chronicle staff. I've had the privilege to work with some of the finest sportswriters and editors ever assembled, and I've had the opportunity to be at ground zero during some of the area's biggest events. While I'm not 100 percent certain what my next endeavor will be, I can only hope that it comes close to matching the camaraderie and class I've experienced here.

My new e-mail is camps09@gmail.com ... if you wish, drop me a line from time to time ... and keep on blogging.

Best,
Mark

Guild providing workshop to help in transition

2007-08-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

From Kathleen Rhodes:

If you are leaving The Chronicle under the downsizing agreement -- this workshop will give you pretty much all you need in the transition in the area of unemployment. kr

The Guild is providing through California Employment Development Department, U.S. Department of Labor and One-Stop Career Link Centers another workshop to help those of us in transition out of the Chronicle with information on unemployment, etc. The workshop will be held in the Guild office conference room Wednesday, August 22 at 2 p.m. You will need to register for this session. If you can not attend be aware we will have future sessions.

The session will cover:

· Unemployment insurance
· Job placement assistance
· Resume and interview assistance
· Free job training in the Bay Area
· COBRA & HIPPA Health Care Benefits

YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP:
Kathleen Rhodes x 7217 or cell 408-674-2625 krhodes@sfchronicle.com
Margo Brenes, Guild Office, 415-421-6833 mbrenes@mediaworkers.org

DATE: Wednesday, August 22, 2007
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: GUILD OFFICE 433 NATOMA ST. SAN FRANCISCO
ROOM: 3RD FLOOR

Very sad news about our SFGate colleague

2007-08-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

Maria Salome "Marisal" Camba, a longtime Web producer for SFGate who designed news and information pages for the online version of The Chronicle, has died.

Ms. Camba, 34, died Tuesday of complications from leukemia at Kaiser Hospital in Walnut Creek.

Read the story here.

Former Chron colleague lands at Boston Globe

2007-08-03T22:44:00.000-07:00

Some good news from former Chron reporter Todd Wallack:

I just accepted a job with the Boston Globe. Starting Aug. 20, I'll be covering biotech for the paper's business section.

Farewell from Dan Fost

2007-08-03T22:40:00.000-07:00

To my Chronicle colleagues:

I want to thank all of you for making my nine years here thoroughly enjoyable. I’ve had a great time and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work here with all of you. I’m going to miss the Chronicle, and my colleagues, very much, and I’ll be rooting for your every success going forward.

My email is danfost@gmail.com

Farewell from Wanda Ravernell

2007-08-03T22:15:00.000-07:00

There's a new sandwich shop at Fifth and ... It replaced the chain shop that had been there for years. It took some time, but eventually I knew everyone who worked at the old one, and as people quit or were reassigned and then replaced, I learned the newcomers too. But there was one woman, Martha, who was the dynamo of her shift, even though she wasn't in charge. I could count on her to make my day. She was always bright and lively and went out of her way to treat me well. I did nothing to deserve this -- it was the way she was. Each day that she worked and I picked up my sandwich, I knew that I would arrive at the Chronicle in a more uplifted mood. When she was on vacation I missed her.

Then the chain, anticipating competition from the new food court beneath Bloomingdale's and a new sandwich shop opening around the corner, decided to cut its potential losses and close down at that location. A sign went up saying it would close in two weeks. As long as I was scheduled, I kept coming in at my usual time. The workers were nervous. Some were going to be transferred. Some were going to new jobs. Some taking the opportunity to move away - San Jose, back east, a couple more, who were students, decided to devote themselves to their studies and return to college full time.

On the last day of business, Martha had made sure to keep her wallet under the counter to show customers the most recent pictures of her toddler granddaughter. I had known Martha since before her daughter had married. Then Martha took out an instamatic camera and insisted that I stand by the door and smile for a picture. A flash, a hug, and I went in to work.

I pushed the sadness of the day away from me, but the next day, the shop, dark with the windows lined with newspaper, was a blow to the solar plexus.... For 15 years, I have been proud to say that I work as a copy editor at the San Francisco Chronicle. People are almost always impressed. I don't like them to be because I think it's for the wrong reasons. I am too well aware that I am not important, that there are many of us. If I am not the best editor, nevertheless, I sit with some of the most remarkable editors in the business and there has never been a day, not one, when I didn't learn something from them. If I am not proud of how this process of downsizing is playing out, which I am not, if I am hurt by what is happening to my colleagues, and I am, what is most important to me is to have been privileged to be among their number. It is that privilege that I will miss the most.

As I prepare to depart two memories come to mind.

The first are the comments from the husband of a friend of mine who worked as a city inspector for nursing homes in Philadelphia. At one place, Byron said, all of the nursing assistants, the lowest-paid of all, were women immigrants. They had all worked at that same place for years and years. Some of them went to nursing school eventually, but they came back to that job. Byron observed that "they're not there for the money, they're there for each other." Some of them, of course, were related, but all were from some part of Kingston, Jamaica. They liked the same food, the same music. They made a big deal about cooking for one another, and likely went to the same Episcopal church. Byron said they were like a family. For someone to leave, to quit would break up something precious. And they did not see this as a sacrifice.

I am old enough to remember the final episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." The station was closing, the news show was going off the air. They had one last night together. After the broadcast, they regrouped in the newsroom. Mary confessed that the people she worked with had become her family. One hug led to another until the entire cast was in a group hug. It was sad and funny as they scuttled like a some kind of multilegged bug toward the door. They couldn't let go of one another. And that is what's so hard about what we go through now. Individuals feel both guilt and relief that they are not selected for ouster. Those forced to leave are likely to land on their feet, but that is not the point. We never worked just for the money. Like the women in the nursing home, we worked for each other. And like Mary Tyler Moore and her colleagues, we feel like a family. That is not something a corporation can ask us to do: We did that ourselves. We are breaking up a team, a family now. What we feel is nothing less than grief and loss.

And so I begin to look on these as my last days at 'home.' I am taking stock of the view down Fifth Street from Market that is filling in with a new skyscraper at Howard street. I will not be here to see it completed. I have been learning the names of the people who make my breakfast sandwiches at the cafe, just in time to say goodbye. I am trying to remember to make more of an effort to give something to the regular mendicants, whose blessings have sent me on into work each day. I am looking at my own hand as I turn on the lamps to light my desk as I arrive and as I turn them off when I leave. I am thinking of how I will transport my belongings, and anticipating how I am going to feel when I take down the pictures around the cubicle and pack up my jade Chinese Frog and remove my calendars before the year is over.

It won't be long now, before I turn in my last time card, and shortly after that, receive my last pay stub. Like Martha and her colleagues, I will bring in an instamatic camera and take pictures that I probably will forget to develop. In this newspaper, we have covered the closing of factories, mills, lumber yards. I have read the quotes of people saying they didn't know what they would do. I understood what they said. Now I know how it feels.

(Ed note: Wanda Ravernell can be reached at Ravernell@aol.com)

Farewell from Ed Epstein

2007-08-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and colleagues:

You have probably already heard that after 23 fun and challenging years at the Chronicle I am taking a buyout, and as of Friday, Aug. 3 I will be riding off into a steamy Washington sunset.

Thanks to the terms of the buyout, I’m leaving with a nice piece of change. I leave with no hard feelings, since there aren’t too many people anymore who can do what they love for 23 straight years with the same employer. Besides, it is better to look forward, then it is to carp about a past that can’t be changed anyway.

So I am zeroing in on a new job, here in Washington, in journalism. If that doesn’t work out, I will broaden the search to public relations, public affairs and beyond, maybe even the federal government. And if Washington doesn’t pan out I’ll return to the Golden West in search of a paycheck in San Francisco, so watch out.

But I do want to look back to tell you how happy I have been to befriend so many wonderful people at the paper, the Newspaper Guild and on the various beats I covered over the years — City Hall, California and San Francisco politics, Congress the UC Board of Regents, foreign affairs, and on and on. My co-workers were by and large wonderful folks, and I made several friends for life at Fifth and Mission.

To list some would be to slight others.

But a few stand out: Steve Rubenstein is the funniest writer on any American newspaper, if they’ll let him do his shtick, and he is also one day older then me, ha, ha.

The late Harre W. Demoro refused to recognize that the world had gone beyond April 20, 1958, the day his beloved Key System trains stopped running on the Bay Bridge. This peculiar fantasy only seemed to ground him deeper in reality, oddly enough. His sidekick, Carl Nolte, has become an increasingly dedicated mumbler with the passing years.

I always keep a picture of myself with the two of them on the Vallejo Ferry on my desk, to remind me to show up for work and do something.

And the late Susan Yoachum provided me with some of the most harrowing trips I have ever spent as a white-knuckled car passenger by talking on two cell phones at one time, while also reading the newspaper. And she was driving, and this was back in 1994!

At City Hall, there was a snappy dressed mayor who with his stock tips during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s helped make me a millionaire. Before that, I was a multi-millionaire. Drum roll!

Then there is Harvey Rose, the Board of Supervisors’ number cruncher and a devotee of Henny Youngman as a raconteur of the world’s worst jokes. Recent sample: What is the national bird of Iraq? DUCK!

It wasn’t funny the first 50 times he told me.

The past six years in Washington have whooshed by. It has been a new challenge — I’ve learned something new every day, surrounded by excellent Chronicle comrades in our bureau, other colleagues around town, sharp congressional staffers and members and so many others.

Another challenge like that is what I’m looking for now as life chugs along.

See you all on the road ahead.

After Aug 3, reach me at:
301-215-9194
edepstein1@yahoo.com

Sendoff for Vanessa Hua

2007-08-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

Let's give Vanessa Hua a rousing sendoff on the evening of her last day at the Chronicle, where she has put in eight action-packed years of intrepid reporting, from the Korean DMZ to the SROs of Stockton Street. She may be a lightweight when it comes to holding her liquor, but she's a heavyweight journalist.

Friday, August 10, 6 pm
Playbar
101 Sixth Street (between Minna and Mission)
San Francisco

Job opps: Field rep for Sen. Boxer, press officer for EPA

2007-08-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

From former Chron politics writer Mark Simon:

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Field Representative
United States Senator Barbara Boxer
San Francisco, California

July 2007

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer has an opening for a Field Representative in her San Francisco Office.

Primary responsibilities include representing Senator Boxer at community events and advising the Senator about local concerns and priorities. Field Representatives meet frequently with constituents and local government officials on federal issues and help design and organize events for Senator Boxer when she travels in the area. This position will have responsibility for activities in a number of counties in the Bay Area.

The successful applicant will have a positive attitude and the ability to work and set priorities in a fast-paced and challenging environment. Strong writing and verbal communication skills are essential. Bilingual skills are a plus.

This is a full-time position with excellent federal benefits.

If interested, please send a cover letter and resume (preferably by fax) no later than August 15, 2007 to:

Adrienne Bousian
Deputy State Director
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240
San Francisco, CA 94111
Fax: 415-392-4149

Please, no calls. Senator Barbara Boxer is an equal opportunity employer.

And one from Andy Pollack:

EPA Region 9 here in S.F. is looking for a press officer. Info on the web at:

http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/jobsearch.asp?q=Reg+9-DE-2007-0028&salmin=&salmax=&paygrademin=&paygrademax=&FedEmp=N&tm=&sort=rv&vw=d&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&SUBMIT1.x=0&SUBMIT1.y=0

Gathering for Ken Howe and Dan Fost

2007-08-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

Please join us at 6 p.m. on Friday night at the Tempest to raise a glass with Ken Howe and Dan Fost, two of our latest departures in Business.

Adding Poynter job listings to My Yahoo

2007-07-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

Bill Mitchell, editor of Poynter Online, recently discovered this blog and offered this helpful tip for jobseekers:

If you have My Yahoo, which allows you to personalize a Yahoo page with news feeds of your choice, you can add a module that lists the latest job postings on Poynter's Web site (http://e.my.yahoo.com/config/cstore?.opt=content&.sid=4022651&lg=us).

My Yahoo is easy and free to set up; I believe the only requirement is that you have an e-mail account with them (which, of course, is free).

If you're not interested in setting up a My Yahoo page, you can always look for jobs on the Poynter site here:

http://www.poynter.org/indeed/Default.asp

Thanks, Bill.

Farewell from Suzanne Pullen

2007-07-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Here's a note former Chronicle reporter Suzanne Pullen sent to her colleagues on Friday (with her permission, the note was edited for this blog):

I started out as an editorial assistant on the weekend night desk for the Hearst Examiner in April 2000 after Jason Lloren recommended me for the job because I needed some extra money. I moved over to the PM desk after the merger and laughed more than I thought possible before noon at the running commentary and prison lingo. I got the chance to know some of the most distiguished veterans of the merged papers, too. I feel lucky to have snacked on Malcolm Glover's pretzels and jelly beans, had lunch with Sandy Zane and heard stories from Lynn Ludlow. I've had a blast playing softball with Reid Sams and other talented ballers, including Heather Smith, Mike Moffitt, Suzanne Herel, Benny Evangelista, Matt Petty and Al Saracevic. I was honored to walk in the Avon 3-Day Breast Cancer walk with Liz Mangelsdorf, Jenny Strasburg, Rachel Gordon and Ilene Lelchuk because of the overwhelming success of the Men of the Chronicle Calendar fundraiser.

I was told I would never be a reporter at this paper — that I would only be an editorial assistant. But then a wonderful, under-appreciated staffer, Bob Stephens, told me whom to pitch stories to. Greg Lewis gave me my first assignment and John Koopman became my mentor through two years of freelancing for virtually every section of the paper. Deborah Brown assigned me to Question Man (I'll always remember Willie Brown answering one week's question by telling me his favorite San Francisco movie was Steve McQueen's "Bullet" because his car mowed down newspaper boxes). And then in 2003, Heidi Swillinger and Phil Bronstein gave me a chance to become a full-time reporter for ChronicleWatch. I am grateful to all the editors I have worked for who believed in me, including Robert Rosenthal, Marcus Chan and Alison Biggar, who gave me a chance that changed my life and helped the lives of thousands of other bereaved parents.

I may not have always agreed with the people directly in charge of my destiny at this paper — and I definitely made that clear as most of you who have been in a staff meeting with me can attest to — but I am grateful for the chance to work with some of the most intelligent and inspired people I have ever met. Unfortunately, many of them have left the paper.

Too many women, too many minorities, too many part-time mothers, too many senior staffers with invaluable institutional memory, too many young writers with incredible potential have left.

Still, there is a strong heart that beats at this paper. I saw proof of that heart two years ago in the cards and flowers that co-workers sent after my son was stillborn — I will never forget the care shown to me, from the publisher's office to the mailroom people. (Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.)

Please don't forget that you all have a voice. Speaking up, questioning decisions, demanding proof and trying to get the story right when it comes to what goes into the paper is your job, but it is also your right to do the same of those who run it.

But what do I know, I was just an EA who didn't take no for an answer.

I will miss this place ... and what most of it stands for. Thank you to everyone else I didn't mention who has made my time here more than worth it. I look forward to reading your stories on the other side.

From your loud mouth, passionate and stubborn co-worker,

Suzanne Pullen
savanmagic@yahoo.com
415-664-1589

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." — Eleanor Roosevelt

Job opp: Senior producer at Yahoo

2007-07-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a position in Santa Monica that Yahoo is looking to fill:

If you have a moment, I'd appreciate your help. Please take a look and forward this job on to anyone you think would be interested in the position, or anyone else who could help me find a great candidate.

Company: Yahoo
Job Title: Sr. Content Producer
Description: see info on hotjobs at URL below:

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobseeker/jobsearch/job_detail.html;_ylt=ArXJD5A1G9L5KqiQbi90hDX6Q6IX?job_id=JL6IVVC36

Job opps: Communications at Kaiser

2007-07-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

Here's one from former Chron metro assigning editor Tyra Mead, who now is senior communications consultant for Kaiser in Oakland:

Here are two in the office I work in at Kaiser. The senior communications consultant position would be more appropriate for someone with more years of experience; the specialist position is a more junior position. People can apply online at kaiserpermanente.org .

Job opp: Senior editor at Mother Jones

2007-07-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

Here's one from soon-to-be-former-Chron writer Dan Fost:

Mother Jones — a San Francisco based, 230,000-circulation bimonthly national magazine with an emphasis on politics and investigative reporting — is seeking a senior editor.

Qualified candidates will have at least 5 years experience assigning and editing long-form narrative features. Candidates should have a good stable of writers, be political and news junkies, have an interest in new media, and experience as writers themselves.

All Mother Jones editors are expected to generate story ideas appropriate to this magazine as well as the web site (which gets 2.5 million visitors a year), and to guide freelance and staff writers through every step of the process. This includes giving writers ideas or refining theirs, helping to guide the reporting process, providing moral support, gracefully improving prose, and rewriting top to bottom if necessary.

Senior editors should be able to generate package ideas for the magazine and website, be able to work in the short and long form, on deadlines as quick as a few hours and on projects that develop over many months. An ability to multitask and handle deadline pressure is key.

Mother Jones offers a great benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision. Our main office is in downtown San Francisco, in the heart of the most beautiful city in the country; our D.C. bureau is blocks from the White House. We are an equal opportunity employer, a growing concern, and a fun and dynamic place to work. Come be a part of our team.

Please submit a resume, references, and salary requirements to Emma Logan, Human Resources Manager at elogan@motherjones.com.

Reinvent yourself as a media entrepreneur

2007-07-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here's something from former Chron staffer Dickson Louie:

In light of the recent cutbacks at The Chronicle and at the Merc, the Maynard Institute is sponsoring a free event at its headquarters in Oakland on Monday, July 30, with tips on how journalists can reinvent themselves or start their own business. More info below:

Thinking of starting a blog or other digital media business? The Maynard Institute is pleased to offer a program on getting started as a media entrepreneur.

Speakers are:

• Dickson Louie, former director of strategic planning , San Francisco Chronicle, on writing a business plan.
• Brian O’Malley, senior associate, Battery Ventures, on finding capital.
• Kenneth Cooper, former Boston Globe national editor, on personal reinvention.

Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Date: Monday, July 30
Place: Maynard Institute Headquarters, 1211 Preservation Park Way, Oakland, 94612.

All the speakers have volunteered their time so Maynard is able to offer this program at no charge. Seating space is limited. Please RSVP to Melanie McCormick at the Maynard Institute. She can be reached at 510-891-9202 or at mmccormick@maynardije.org

Farewell gatherings this week

2007-07-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

Food writer Karola Craib sent this note to the staff on Tuesday:

So it's my last day, and I would like it to end on a mellow note. If you are so inclined, please join me Thursday at Vino Venu on Mission at 3rd (between Peet's and A.J. Ferrari) between 6 and 7:30.

This note was sent on Monday regarding reporter Suzanne Pullen and librarian Laura Perkins:

Please join your fellow collegues is saying goodbye to Metro reporter and softball team member, Suzanne Pullen this Friday from 5:30 to 7pm at the Hotel Milano bar (next to King of Thai Noodle) on 5th Street between Mission and Market streets. After seven years with the Hearst Examiner and Chronicle, she is leaving her post at ChronicleWatch to return to graduate school, work on a book on stillbirth and subsequent pregnancy and take care of her son Quinn part-time.

Longtime librarian Laura Perkins is also departing from the Chronicle and will be spending more time (at least in the immediate future) with her partner and nearly four-month-old daughter Emma. Today is her last day, but she'll be returning to say goodbye at the Milano on Friday as well.

Career counseling at JFK University

2007-07-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

A tip from Chron copy editor Beth Bourland:

JFK University offers career counseling appointments. Please note: There is a fee of $50 (if you are a JFK student or alumni, the fee is waived). Some testing, assessment and other services are available (some require additional fee). For more info, call 925.969.3542 or see http://www.jfku.edu/services/career_center/

Job opps: San Antonio Express-News, The Record (N.J.), Register Guard (Ore.), Stanford

2007-07-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the lack of postings. Here are some out-of-state job opps sent my way:

Job opp at San Antonio

The San Antonio Express-News has an opening on their projects staff for an investigative/enterprise reporter. They're looking for someone who can dig deeply and write artfully. (No contact info given, but their Web site is http://www.mysanantonio.com/.)

Job opps at The Record (Bergen County, NJ)

The Record has an immediate opening for a talented graphic artist/designer. We're seeking a multi-talented graphic artist/designer with creative vision and the ability to do it all, from designing pages for both news and features to doing info-graphics to creating dynamic images. The successful candidate will work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines. We're looking for someone who can think beyond the norm, and way outside the box, to come up with fresh ideas. We want an artist with great news judgment and the skills to bring it all together in a visually appealing package that will stop a reader in his tracks. Candidates should have three to five years of daily experience, or equivalent.

We're seeking an experienced editor to join The Record's business team. This deputy business editor will assist the business editor and another deputy in planning and editing the seven-day-a-week business section and the Sunday real estate section. Duties include assigning and editing breaking news and enterprise and weekly reports focusing on North Jersey's major industry sectors. We're seeking a well-organized pro with superior time-management skills and the ability to juggle many tasks. Ability to work quickly and accurately to meet multiple deadlines is essential. Candidates should have at least five to seven years of daily experience, including at least three years as an editor.

The Record's sports department is seeking a full-time copy/layout editor. We're looking for a talented journalist with strong copy editing, layout and headline skills. Candidates should have a minimum of five years experience working for a daily sports section.

If you're interested in any of these positions, send a cover letter on why you want the job, samples of your best work and a résumé to Douglas Clancy, Assistant Managing Editor, The Record, 150 River. St., Hackensack, NJ 07601.

Some background about our newspaper: The Record is family-owned, medium-sized newspaper located in North Jersey, just 15 miles away from Times Square in Manhattan and a short drive from the shore and the mountains. It has won the "General Excellence Award" as New Jersey's best daily newspaper in 10 of the past 15 years, including three of the past four years.

Copy editors needed at Register Guard in Oregon

(From Karola Craib) A long-ago Chron copy editor who is now w. the Honolulu Advertiser sent me this:

I just got word that the Eugene, Ore., Register Guard is looking for two copy editors. It's a pretty good medium-sized daily, owned by a local family that has no apparent interest in selling, and is a Guild shop. Nobody here is interested, but somebody there might be. Eugene housing costs are high by Oregon standards, low by Bay Area standards. And Eugene is a pretty swell little town with at least one decent Italian restaurant (Beppe and Gianni's, www.beppeandgiannis.net) and neighborhood wineries that make better pinot noirs than Napa does.

Writer at Stanford

From Susan Gilbert:

Stanford University
Office of Medical Development
SENIOR DEVELOPMENT WRITER

Reporting to the director of communications in Stanford’s Office of Medical Development (OMD), the senior development writer manages all aspects of a wide variety of publications projects. S/he serves on a 5-member team that develops publications to promote, celebrate, or directly solicit private support for Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Hospital & Clinics. Priority programs include hospital replacement and renovation; cancer; cardiovascular medicine; neuroscience; immunity, transplantation and infection; orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine; stem cell biology; annual giving; and the medical alumni association. Typical assignments include case statements; brochures; white papers; donor, volunteer, patient, faculty, alumni, and student profiles; major gift proposals; newsletters; event invitations; OMD website updates; and elements of the medical alumni magazine, Bench and Bedside. The senior development writer collaborates with colleagues in the university’s Office of Development to ensure compliance with top-level themes and identity guidelines of The Stanford Challenge, a seven-year, $4.3-billion, campus-wide fundraising campaign that launched in October 2006.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
--Writing/Editing (70%): The senior development writer writes and edits copy as assigned by the director of communications and submits her/his work for final edits and approval. He or she also identifies, hires, and oversees the work of freelance writers and proofreaders as necessary to meet production goals and deadlines.
--Research and Collaboration (10%): The senior development writer conducts research as needed to The senior development writer conducts research as needed to complete assigned projects. Examples of necessary research include using the World Wide Web; contacting colleagues at other institutions, interviewing faculty, donors, volunteers, patients, alumni, students, staff, and others, reviewing central files, using a variety of campus communications and image databases, and exploring information in the university’s donor information system. The senior development writer collaborates with faculty, students, donors, volunteers, and OMD and other Stanford staff to plan and produce accurate and effective communications pieces.
--Production Management (10%): The senior development writer is responsible for managing the production and printing of projects as assigned by the director of communications. This includes developing publication concepts, scheduling and overseeing photo sessions, organizing information for and reviewing the work of contract graphic designers, and reviewing laser drafts from designers and blue lines from printers.
--Project Management (10%): The senior development writer is responsible for setting and tracking project schedules, monitoring projects to see that they remain on budget, and negotiating the multiple levels of approval (from faculty, staff, volunteers, and donors) required to complete projects on time, on budget, and on strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum five years of experience writing in a professional setting. Development writing experience is preferred. Science or medical writing experience highly desirable. College degree required; preferable fields of study include English, journalism, and communications. Proven superior writing and editing skills.

Ability to synthesize large amounts of information and compose clear and persuasive prose. Ability to manage complex tasks simultaneously, coordinate the roles of various participants in projects, set priorities and schedules, and meet deadlines with a minimum of supervision.

Attention to detail and exceptional editing and proofreading skill.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to facilitate mutual understanding and work effectively with a wide variety of people including: faculty, administrative staff, development colleagues, donors, patients, students, alumni, and friends of the university.

Previous production management experience. Proven customer-service focus. Proficiency in computing applications including e-mail, Windows, Word, Excel, MS Project, PowerPoint, and Internet navigation tools. An understanding of the entire development enterprise—particularly within an academic setting—and the ability to work within that framework desirable. Ability to understand and comply with HIPAA regulations. California driver’s license and a car to travel to and from meetings on campus.

To apply for any Stanford job, an interested candidate has to apply online. Here's the URL for the jobs site: http://jobs.stanford.edu/ Right now, the job is posted under development, but the powers that run these things have promised to move it to communications. The job # is 26239 and if folks follow the directions and click on the search command without specifying any job, they can paste 26239 into the empty box (it's unhelpfully labled "key words") and the job will come up.

Job opps: Freelancing for SF Business Times

2007-07-10T17:12:00.000-07:00

Here's one from Emily Fancher, senior editor at the San Francisco Business Times:

The award-winning San Francisco Business Times is seeking freelancers to write news and feature articles about Bay Area business. We primarily use freelancers for our focus sections and special publications. Topics include real estate, hospitality, biotech, law, finance, philanthropy, health-care and technology.

We're looking for sharp, motivated and organized individuals who hit deadlines and work well independently. You should have extensive journalism experience, but a business background is not essential.

We¹re a team of 15 reporters, editors and researchers in downtown San Francisco who work on a weekly publication that won the CNPA's General Excellence Award in 2006.

Please send a resume and five clips to:

Emily Fancher
Senior Editor
San Francisco Business Times
275 Battery St. Ste. 940
San Francisco, CA 94111

Or e-mail efancher@bizjournals.com

Job opps in education

2007-07-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

A couple of education-related opportunities sent our way:

Chron education reporter Jill Tucker says Oakland's Unified School District is looking for a public information officer. It's a challenging job, but pays very well. She says the job hasn't been posted yet.

Former Chron reporter Erin Hallissy alerts us to this job posting for editor of UCSB's alumni magazine:

https://jobs.ucsb.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=11840

Farewell from Will Crain

2007-07-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

A farewell message from copy editor Will Crain:

As I was preparing to leave The Chronicle, I realized that this place has been a part of my life for more than half the time I’ve been alive. Right out of high school, in the summer of 1987, I started working at The Chronicle as a copy boy. Despite the fact that, in those days, I usually wore death-rock T-shirts and Soviet military jackets to work (to say nothing of my haircut), the paper welcomed me back as an editorial assistant several times over the next few years, during and after my time in college.

I think I worked in every section of the newspaper at one time or another. I was here during the Loma Prieta earthquake and helped break into Herb Caen’s office to retrieve his old Royal when the power went out and our reporters had nothing to write on.

Years later, I took a job as a copy editor on the Examiner’s on-call board, working such shifts as 10 p.m.-5 a.m. and 5 a.m.-1 p.m. My apologies to Courtenay Peddle and Geoff Link, slots who would never have put up with this cliche, but it was a real trial by fire. After the merger, I worked for the Chronicle PM, the Business section and Daily Datebook. Everywhere I worked, I met more talented, smart, helpful and interesting people. It truly has been an honor to work with you all these years.

Here’s another cliche: I will be leaving The Chronicle to pursue other interests. For the time being, I’ll do freelance writing and editing.

I’d like to keep in touch.

E-mail me at willcrain@yahoo.com

Mercury News lays off 31

2007-07-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest on the Mercury News job cuts, from the East Bay Express (includes a list of employees who were laid off or resigned):

http://blogs.eastbayexpress.com/92510/2007/07/the_mercury_news_lays_off_31_e.php

Farewell from Narda Zacchino

2007-07-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

This is a week old, mainly because I've been waiting to get permission from former deputy editor Narda Zacchino to reprint this note she sent to the newsroom. Here it is, in case you missed it (and for those of you wanting to post your farewell on this blog, send it to me):

I want to thank all of you for six terrific years during which I was thrilled at seeing your great stories, columns, photos, graphics, layouts and headlines in this newspaper and on our Web site, day after day. How you all pull that off so well is nothing short of amazing; it's what makes the life of an editor worthwhile.

Thanks also for continuing to produce quality journalism under the duress of budget cuts and downsizing, and for embracing the Internet as a place for enhancing your work through podcasting, videocasting and photo essays.

Phil Bronstein recruited me from the LA Times with a promise that I would have a lot more fun here, and there have been many wonderful moments. I have loved the spirit of this place, the energy of the staff, the friendships I have made and the good work that has made me proud to be an editor here.

I am heading off to finish the book I am co-writing with Mary Tillman about her son, Pat; our deadline is Oct. 1. After that, I come up for air. My e-mail address is nzacchino@gmail.com. Please stay in touch.

Ciao,
Narda

Guild providing another unemployment workshop

2007-07-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

From Kathleen Rhodes: If you are leaving The Chronicle under the downsizing agreement (Guild or exempt) -- this workshop will give you pretty much all you need in the transition in the area of unemployment.

The Guild is providing through the California Employment Development Department, U.S. Department of Labor and One-Stop Career Link Centers another workshop to help those of us in transition out of the Chronicle with information on unemployment etc. The workshop will be held in the Guild office conference room Wednesday July 18 at 2 p.m. You will need to register for this session. If you can not attend be aware we will have future sessions.

Meet with us to get information about ...
· Unemployment insurance
· Job placement assistance
· Resume and interview assistance
· Free job training in the Bay Area
· COBRA & HIPPA Health Care Benefits

You must register for this workshop:
· Kathleen Rhodes x 7217 or cell 408-674-2625 krhodes@sfchronicle.com
· Margo Brenes, Guild Office, 415-421-6833 mbrenes@mediaworkers.org

Specifics:
· Wednesday, July 18, 2007
· 2:00 PM
· GUILD OFFICE 433 NATOMA ST. SAN FRANCISCO
· ROOM: 3RD FLOOR

Job opp: Desk supervisor at AP in SF

2007-06-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

Brought to our attention by Kathleen Rhodes:

Position: Day Supervisor
Company: The Associated Press
Location: California
Job Status: Full-time
Ad Expires: August 3, 2007
Job ID: 796648

Description:
The San Francisco bureau of The Associated Press is looking for a day desk supervisor.

A pivotal player in one of the AP’s most dynamic news bureaus, the day supervisor plans and organizes the daily Northern California news report with input from bureau managers. This includes spotting and assigning breaking news coverage, editing copy, monitoring member content and assembling digests of top stories.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: We need a proven leader who has outstanding word editing skills and excellent news judgment, capable of reacting quickly and thoughtfully to important breaking stories. A courteous and helpful manner with AP customers and fellow staffers is essential. So is the ability to work well with other managers in Sacramento, Los Angeles, New York and around the world. A minimum of five years of newsroom experience is required, with at least two years of editing. The position carries with it opportunities for advancement within the world’s largest news organization.

To find out more about this job, go to:
http://www.journalismjobs.com/job_listing.cfm?JobID=796648

AP is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. To apply for this position, please copy and paste the following link into your browser address bar: http://ap.contacthr.com/8687604
or submit your resume and salary requirements through our homepage at https://careers.ap.org/viewjob.html?optlink-view=view-2303&ERFormID=newjoblist&ERFormCode=any

When applying, mention you saw this opening listed at JournalismJobs.com.

Job opp: Reporter at West Marin weekly

2007-06-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

Chron travel editor Jeanne Cooper forwards to us this e-mail she received:

Subject: [Fwd: Community journalists wanted]

Hello all. One more job posting, from a friend of mine who's starting a new weekly paper in West Marin. Thought it could be of interest to reporters who are leaving the Chronicle, so feel free to pass along.

http://journalism.berkeley.edu/jobs/details.php?cat=newswire&ID=5695

www.wmarinpilot.info

Online job board geared for us

2007-06-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

Here's an online job board that Lucas Mast at simplyhired.com set up for The Chronicle (although folks at the Merc and elsewhere can obviously make use of it). Thanks, Lucas.

Marcus:

Jessica Guynn suggested that I pass the information below along to you, in the hopes that it can be of some help on your blog.

The most useful thing, in my humble opinion, is the job board I set up at:

http://sfgate.jobamatic.com

Thanks in advance and certainly let me know if there is anything we can do to help!

Lucas

Job opp: Exec director of IRE

2007-06-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

From Chronicle researcher Kathleen Rhodes:

To: IRE members and friends
From: James Grimaldi

I’m writing to give you an update and ask for your help as we search for a new executive director to replace Brant Houston. Now is the time to suggest people who would be great for this position as IRE makes the transition to new leadership.

As you’ll recall, in March we announced Brant's intent to leave IRE to be the Knight Chair in Investigative and Enterprise Reporting at the University of Illinois. Brant is set to begin at Illinois in the fall. We are grateful that Brant will continue with IRE as a consultant until Dec. 31 to continue to oversee IRE's operations while we complete the search.

For those of you who missed the IRE annual conference in Phoenix, the Board wanted to let you know that the staff and Board honored Brant’s remarkable 13 years of service to IRE by creating an endowment fund in his name to support global investigative reporting. (We’ve raised more than $10,000 so far. You can donate on the IRE web site at http://www.ire.org/endowment/ and earmarking your contribution to the “Brant Houston fund.”)

If you were with us in Arizona, you saw that we posted a job description. It also is on the IRE Web site http://www.ire.org/execdir and we are circulating it among journalism organizations. Ads also are set to run in major journalism publications.

Brant’s talents will be hard to match. Yet, the Board believes this is a great job and is optimistic about finding a dynamic leader to oversee our 12-member staff and $1.4 million budget. The job includes a parttime teaching assignment on the faculty of the Missouri Journalism School.

I have asked David Boardman, executive editor of the Seattle Times, to chair a Transition and Search Committee. As past president of IRE and a seasoned newsroom manger, Dave is ideal to lead this carefully selected committee of IRE members in our nationwide search. With Brant’s strategic help, the committee has met three times, discussed IRE’s future needs and developed the job description.

We are looking for a respected journalist with managerial experience, an entrepreneurial and enterprising spirit, creativity to help the organization grow internationally and on the Web, and flexibility to work with a rapidly changing media industry. Nonprofit experience and fundraising ability are significant pluses.

If you know someone who fits this description, please encourage them to apply. We are recruiting, too, and feel free to pass along any leads to Dave, dboardman@seattletimes.com, or me, grimaldij@washpost.com, any member of the IRE Board http://www.ire.org/history/current.html or any member of the committee:

Jan Colbert , who has served as IRE executive director and is an associate professor and chair of magazine journalism at the Missouri School of Journalism, where IRE is based. colbertj@missouri.edu; Renee Ferguson , an IRE board member and broadcast reporter who has been on leave from WMAQ-Chicago to be a Nieman fellow this year at Harvard. renee_ferguson@harvard.edu , renee.ferguson@nbcuni.com;Chuck Lewis, an IRE member for 25 years and a former CBS 60 Minutes producer who has founded three nonprofit corporations, including the Center for Public Integrity. chuck.lewis@cox.net; Shawn McIntosh, a past president of IRE who is director of culture and change at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution , focusing on training and implementation of new standards. smcintosh@ajc.com; Neal Shapiro, president and CEO of Education Broadcasting Corp., owner of Channel Thirteen/WNET, and former president of NBC News.

Job opp: more in Massachusetts

2007-06-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

This comes to us from former Chronicle reporter Erin Hallissy, who is now the editorial director at the Office of College Communications at Saint Mary’s College:

Associate Editor, Wellesley magazine

Wellesley, winner of a 2007 bronze Circle of Excellence Award from CASE, is seeking a new associate editor.

Responsibilities:
Assists editor in planning and producing four issues annually of Wellesley, the magazine published by the Wellesley College Alumnae Association and mailed to alumnae, parents, and friends of the College. Writes feature stories and short articles as required; assists editor in editing pieces for structure and content; copyedits and fact checks; writes headlines and cutlines; proofreads. Edits Class Notes section; functions as liaison to 70 volunteer class secretaries; responsible for developing and editing alumnae profiles and mini-profiles in Class Notes section and the memorial tributes in the In Memoriam section. Attends major campus meetings and events; represents magazine at alumnae events; works closely with other College offices, particularly Public Affairs, Resources, and the President's Office.

Requirements:
Position requires a B.A. degree and significant journalism or editorial experience; proven editing, writing, and proofreading skills; desktop-publishing experience preferred; strong organizational and interpersonal skills; sensitivity to issues of single-sex education in general and Wellesley specifically; flexible and capable of multitasking on tight deadlines. Associate editor must be available to work on campus full time (telecommuting is not an option).

To apply:
Apply online at http://careers.wellesley.edu/wellesley/jobboard/.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Wellesley College is an AA/EEO employer.

Job opps: editors, reporter in Boston

2007-06-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

Here's another contribution from former Chronicle reporter Todd Wallack:

If anyone feels like moving to Beantown, a bunch of jobs have opened up.

The Boston Business Journal is looking for both a special sections editor and a reporter (probably to cover higher education and legal affairs, though I think the editor might be flexible). Editor George Donnelly, (617) 316-3221, gdonnelly@bizjournals.com

Meanwhile, I heard the Boston Globe is desperately trying to find good editors in multiple sections of the paper. The recruiter at the paper is Paula Bouknight, p_bouknight@globe.com.

Seeking help from a career counseling

2007-06-26T15:57:00.001-07:00

Here's a second post from former Chron editor and writer John Hubbell. You can find his first post on federal funds for retraining here. In this offering, he talks about a career counselor who helped in his Chronicle afterlife (Ed note: If you know of career counselors or career resouces geared for former journalists, please send them my way):

A few years ago, deciding to move beyond the newsroom was the easy part for me. The big question was: Move where?

It was confusing because I'd loved newspapers all of my life, and changing directions was bracing and downright frightening.

But one of the first steps I took was to see a career counselor. It was easy enough: The person I went to was one of my best friend's mothers, Gina Snyder.

The experience was thoroughly helpful. Over a couple of sessions, I took tests, talked out thoughts and ideas, and walked away with both general and concrete ideas what to do.

I've passed her name onto other journalist friends looking for a change in their lives. They've reported back that they loved working with her as much as I did.

Gina is personable and down to earth. She may have embarrassing childhood photos of me that she can show you, too -- perhaps injecting a little mirth in this otherwise unsettling time.

Gina's phone number is 707-643-8937. Her email is ginas@pacbell.net. That's Vallejo, ye olde homeland.

Some of you sent notes from my last post asking what I've been up to since obtaining (and that's the right verb) my master's degree last month from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. The short version is that I'm consulting on a variety of media projects, and splitting my time between Chapel Hill and Memphis, Tenn. You can check out my company web site, and drop me a line if you'd like, at www.oldbridgemedia.com.

Good luck all,
John Hubbell
jhubbell@email.unc.edu

Job opp: Part-time copy editor at Stanford

2007-06-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

Another one from former Chron tech reporter and Pinoy Pod podcaster (say that 3x quickly) Ben Pimentel:

Stanford Biz School is looking for a part-time copy editor/proofreader. Pay is about $30/hr. Contact person is Cathy Castillo, director of publications. Her e-mail is cathy_castillo@gsb.stanford.edu

Job opps: Biz managing editor, information activist, communications manager

2007-06-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

A smattering of opportunities ...

Managing Editor, Business News (petaluma)

A growing North Bay financial news publisher is seeking a superior managing editor to lead our coverage of alternative finance and investment markets full time for our website and print newsletters. We are looking for a corporate finance journalist, experienced in reporting on public equity and debt finance, with a strong analytical side.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/wri/357441757.html

Information activist

Full-time Position (1 FTE), Oakland-based. Salary: $46,107 plus 3 weeks of vacation, medical, dental & vision (inc. domestic partners) and professional development opportunities. Men of color strongly encouraged to apply.

The DataCenter supports grassroots communities to build their research infrastructure and develop research and strategizing capacity from within to build their political power for change. We aim to reframe research as a tool for social change and self-determination in order to reclaim communities as the experts.

The DataCenter seeks an experienced information activist to collaborate primarily with youth and criminal justice groups across the country, especially those with bases among no- and low-income communities and communities of color, using research as a tool to build more successful campaigns, strengthen strategies, and increase capacity to utilize information and knowledge effectively for grassroots-led social change efforts. We use a wide range of research methods such as strategic, targeted research, census support, literature reviews and community based documentation projects.

Applicants should demonstrate a solid understanding of issues with regard to youth and criminal justice as well as an awareness of and openness to working across issue areas. Organizations we work with include: All of Us or None, Education not Incarceration, Critical Resistance, Highlander, Project South, Native Youth Movement, Providence Youth and Student Movement - PrYSM, Common Roots, Ella Baker Center and Southwest Worker's Union youth program.

The DataCenter is committed to reflecting our social justice values in all of our organizational practices. We engage in Shared Leadership and staff members are expected to play an active role in developing the organization. To learn more about Shared Leadership visit our website at http://datacenter.org/about/sharedleadership.htm. In addition, all staff engage in anti-oppression organizational culture work.

Qualifications:
· Creative, inquisitive spirit with a commitment to social justice.
· Solid research experience (e.g. campaign or union research, community or grassroots research, oral history documentation, journalism, or academic research on social issues): designing research projects, conducting research, publishing or presenting research findings. And understanding of how research plays a powerful role in advancing grassroots-led social justice agenda.
· Demonstrated ability to coordinate projects and to develop organizational relationships.
· Competent at working within diverse cultural communities.
· Familiarity with grassroots organizing and experience with campaign strategy.
· Experience with or understanding of organizational development issues.
· Excellent oral and written communication skills.
· Computer and Internet skills.
· Interested in working in a collaborative environment defined by the values and principles of Shared Leadership.
· Ability to make a three-year commitment.
Desired:
· Program development and planning experience.
· Strong quantitative experience (e.g. statistical analysis, spreadsheet manipulation, working with large data sets).
· Training experience, rooted in popular education methods.
· Familiarity with Lexis/Nexis.
· Familiarity and connection with issues in the U.S. South.

TO APPLY: Please send resume and cover letter to: Hiring Committee, DataCenter, 1904 Franklin Street, Suite 900, Oakland, CA 94612-2912 USA. Please no phone calls or faxes. For more information about the DataCenter, visit www.datacenter.org. Application deadline extended to Friday July 6th, 2007.

Communications/outreach manager, senior data analyst

EdSource is expanding and we need additional staff to help make that happen. Our small agency needs to substantially strengthen its research, data analysis, writing, outreach, and project management capabilities. We are creating several new positions, including a Communications/Outreach Manager and a Senior Data Analyst - both full time. We are also hiring additional research staff, but the exact mix of positions, job titles, and responsibilities will depend upon the qualifications of the people who apply.

EdSource is a team-oriented agency with exceptionally high standards for productivity, quality, and meeting deadlines. We are looking for self-motivated, highly skilled individuals who share our commitment to the importance of a strong public education system and our intellectual curiosity regarding what that requires. We hope to fill these positions this summer.

If you or someone you know is interested, please go to our website to learn more. Details about these positions and the application process are at http://www.edsource.org/abo_jobs_607.cfm.

Job opps: Biz reporters at Bloomberg

2007-06-25T14:04:00.000-07:00

Chron tech writer Tom Abate brings this to our attention:

Bloomberg To Add 10 Percent More Reporters On Strong Terminal Sales
http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/419-bloomberg-to-add-10-percent-more-reporters-on-strong-terminal-sales/

And here's a link to Bloomberg's job page (it's not clear to me whether those 60 jobs are all represented on the site):

http://about.bloomberg.com/careers/opportunities.html

Job opp: Education reporter at Palo Alto Weekly

2007-06-25T13:56:00.001-07:00

Here's one from Jocelyn Dong, managing editor at the Palo Alto Weekly (www.PaloAltoOnline.com):

I understand you've got a blog for out-of-work Chron staffers. If it's any help, we're looking for an education reporter. It's a good, honest reporting job in a town where people care passionately about the schooling of their children. We'd be happy to talk with any of your former colleagues.

Link and job posting below.

LINK:
http://www.embarcaderopublishing.com/employment/jobs/paw_2007.06.18.writer.html

Embarcadero Publishing Company Employment Opportunities

Staff Writer

The CNPA-award-winning, independent Palo Alto Weekly is seeking a versatile reporter to cover education, youth & family issues and community reporting.

Applicants must be self-starters with an easy flow of story ideas, with good analytical skills and an ability to develop a solid understanding of the complex local and statewide education system.

The Weekly, as a pioneer in online posting of news stories as early as 1994, is actively exploring the fast-changing interface between print and online journalism, and applicants should have an interest in and excitement for the many possibilities in this area.

The job requires several stories a week, daily news briefs posted to the Weekly's Web site and an in-depth piece every four to six weeks relating to children, schools or families or other assignments in the community.

Candidates should have at least two years beat-coverage experience, preferably in education, with strong writing and grammatical skills and be versatile in terms of coverage of different types of education and city-related stories. Dependability and a desire to maintain collegial relationships with editors are musts.

It is strongly preferred that applicants live in or near Palo Alto or be familiar with housing costs in the region. Out-of-state applicants with no roots in the area are strongly discouraged.

Send resume and three writing clips, with contact information, to Managing Editor Jocelyn Dong, Palo Alto Weekly, 703 High Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94302, or e-mail jdong@paweekly.com. No phone calls please.

Job opp: Science writer at Stanford

2007-06-24T20:30:00.000-07:00

This from Dawn Levy, who is leaving her job as science writer at the Stanford News Service:

... If you know any science writers who might be interested in my Stanford job (great people! great work!), now's the time to spread the word. The job will get posted at http://jobs.stanford.edu/ when it's announced. My last day at Stanford will be July 6.

Stanford Report: http://news.stanford.edu
SciTech@Stanford: http://scitech.stanford.edu

Job opp: Designer at Bakersfield Californian

2007-06-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

From James Bennett, AME of design and production at The Californian:

DRIVERS WANTED! We need a driver for the racecar we've built. You may have heard of the Californian's controversial redesign. It's loud, flashy and can be tough to handle.

That¹s where you come in!

Our only rules are drawing readers in and respecting their time. Help us re-write the rest of the rules and save American newspapers. We'd be satisfied with a strong, entry-level someone, but a seasoned ace would thrive in our no-holds-barred environment. Our designers also frequently do their own graphics, so graphics knowledge is a BIG plus.

The Californian is a great place to work. The paper is family owned, progressive and very tech-savvy (all Mac newsroom)! We're also a recognized leader in both multi-media reporting and citizen journalism, and we have one of the best photo staffs in the country.

Here's more http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/060808reed/

Bakersfield is nicer than you think! We have tons of outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, huge bike trail), kooky local events (from lavish fairs, to dirt track racing). We're surrounded by beautiful mountains and national parks, but we're only a short drive from Los Angeles, San Francisco and world-class beaches.

Please send your clips NOW for this IMMEDIATE opening. Feel free to write or call with questions.

James Bennett
AME Design and Production
THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN
1707 Eye Street
Bakersfield CA, 93302

jbennett@bakersfield.com
661-395-7465

Sad news from the Mercury News

2007-06-22T12:21:00.000-07:00

In case you missed this about veteran reporter and editor Rich Ramirez: Suicide suspected in Mercury News veteran's death

From the Mercury News story:

The exact reasons why he would have taken his own life were unclear. He had been worried about the newspaper's plans to eliminate about 40 newsroom jobs, said his wife, Janet Dalke.

We debated whether to include this news in the blog, given how much we still don't know about this story. But we felt it was important to recognize the potential role of the job cuts and how they can affect people in different ways.

It goes without saying that if you or anyone you know is having a hard time with what's going on (in every newsroom), please reach out. If anyone has suggestions for internal and external resources, please send them to me and I'll update this post later.

You can sign your condolences for Rich Ramirez here.

Job opp: Communications director at POGO

2007-06-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

Forwarded to us by Chron biz reporter George Raine:

At a time when our government is more secretive, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) conducts journalistic investigations to shed light on government activities and create opportunities for vigorous public debate. POGO does so by taking on broad-scale, intractable problems which would go unaddressed without an aggressive journalistic approach. POGO issues reports and alerts with recommendations for reform based on in-depth investigations.

About the Director of Communication

POGO's Director of Communication is a senior staff member who plays a central role in shaping the organization's programmatic strategies and direction. This person is also responsible for developing and implementing strategies for educating key constituencies concerning POGO's investigative findings and recommendations.

POGO works closely with journalists from across the nation to shed light on the inner workings of government. The Director of Communication manages these working relationships, develops collaborative investigative initiatives, and implements strategies to communicate POGO's vision for reform.

The Director of Communication also helps to develop content to communicate directly with Congress and the public through email, newsletters, POGO's blog, and the web.

Qualifications
Five years of strategic communications experience preferred
Commitment to advancing the mission of the organization
Experience using web and email communication strategies
Highly-motivated, entrepreneurial work style
Demonstrated track record of placing stories in national radio, TV, and print news media
Experience with public policy issues
Demonstrated skills as a strategic and tactical thinker
Persuasive writing skills

About the Project On Government Oversight (POGO)
Founded in 1981, POGO is an independent nonprofit that investigates and exposes corruption and other misconduct in order to achieve a more accountable federal government. POGO is a multi-issue organization with an expertise in working with inside sources and whistleblowers to expose evidence of waste, fraud, or abuse in the federal government. In recent years, POGO’s investigations and outreach programs have addressed shortcomings in national security, the lack of oversight of government spending, outmoded nuclear weapons programs, inadequate whistleblower protections, excessive government secrecy, and Congress’ inability to conduct effective government oversight. POGO’s investigations have also been responsible for billions in saved tax dollars and for major policy reforms affecting millions of Americans.

Salary and Benefits
Salary is commensurate with experience.
Excellent benefits.

How To Apply
Currently, there is no deadline for applying. Send a cover letter and resume to:

Keith Rutter
Director of Operations
Project On Government Oversight
666 11th Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20001
Phone 202-347-1122 / Fax 202-347-1116
Email: pogo@pogo.org

Farewell from Pia Sarkar

2007-06-21T10:58:00.000-07:00

Better late than never ... Chron biz reporter Pia Sarkar sent this note to the newsroom last Friday (her last day):

Thanks to everyone who came out last night and made my farewell so memorable. This newsroom will always hold a special place in my heart — I am grateful for the friends I've made and the experience I've gained. I feel lucky to have spent the last 7 years of my newspaper career with all of you. I wish you only the best.

I plan to stay in San Francisco and hope to run into you again. My e-mail address is piasarkar@gmail.

Take care,
Pia

Job opp: Copy desk chief in Grass Valley

2007-06-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

Here's one from former Chron tech writer and CNET editor Jeff Pelline, who says this position "would make a nice lifestyle change for somebody in the Bay Area" (Jeff is now the editor at the Grass Valley Union):

Copy desk chief for The Union, a 15,000 circulation daily paper in Grass Valley, Calif. Must have at least five years of copyediting experience and some management experience. Must be skilled at Web journalism. This job offers an opportunity to live and work in the Sierra Foothills, only an hour from Lake Tahoe. This is a full time position with competitive benefits including 401k, health and dental. To apply: send letter of interest and resume to Sharla Cartzdafner, Human Resources at sharlac@theunion.com. Deadline to apply is Friday, June 29, 2007. EOE.

Reminders ...

2007-06-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

If you're leaving (or have already left) The Chron and want your contact info listed, please e-mail me at mchan@sfchronicle.com or marcuslowchan@gmail.com.

Also, don't be shy about taking advantage of the offers of help by your former colleagues. These are difficult times, so lean on us.

Also, a couple folks have asked out of curiosity what type of traffic this blog is getting. Unfortunately, I didn't add Google Analytics until about a week after the blog launched, so I don't have those stats. But since then, we've had ...

4,323 page views

875 absolute unique visitors

2:37 was the average time spent on the blog

The home page was most popular, followed by the "stay connected" page and the job resources page

For what it's worth.

Marcus

Mercury News to cut 17 percent of news staff

2007-06-19T21:48:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't see this:

(06-19) 18:56 PDT San Jose, Calif. (AP) -- The San Jose Mercury News plans to cut its newsroom staff by about 17 percent next month as readers and advertising dollars migrate to the Internet, the paper's new executive editor said Tuesday.

The newspaper plans to eliminate about 40 of the editorial department's 240 full-time positions beginning July 2, Carole Leigh Hutton, the paper's executive editor and vice president, told the Mercury News staff during an afternoon meeting.

Read the full AP story here.

LinkedIn offer for former Chron staffers

2007-06-19T17:07:00.000-07:00

If you're a member of LinkedIn, the popular online network for professionals, or are interested in signing up for a free account, you might also consider this offer from Kay Luo, director of communications at the company: a free upgrade to the "Business Plus" account for six months for former staffers. The upgrade offers more features (you must be signed in) than the free account.

If you're not familiar with LinkedIn, in a nutshell it's a networking site where you create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments. Your profile then can help you find and be found by former (or future) colleagues, clients and partners.

If you are a former Chron staffer who's interested in this offer, contact Kay at kluo@linkedin.com with your name, e-mail and link to your LinkedIn page. (Thanks, Kay.)

Job opp: Freelancers for education pub

2007-06-18T12:04:00.001-07:00

Here's one from Chron columnist Leah Garchik:

My friend Owen Edwards is an editor/writer and he's looking for freelancers. It's a new George Lucas-funded publication about education. See below:

Leah,

I'm at owen@edutopia.org

We are always on the lookout for pieces on innovation in public schooling, K-12, so reporters who have worked in that area would be most welcome.

All best,
Owen

Job opp: Ed in chief for StartupNation.com

2007-06-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

By way of Chron biz reporter George Raine:

StartupNation.com, which provides advice for entrepreneurs who want to start and grow their business, is on the prowl for an editor-in-chief who can work remotely, orchestrate freelance contributions, and manage an editorial calendar and budget for the company. The content is primarily for StartupNation.com, but the themes and subject matter will also be repurposed on StartupNation's nationally-syndicated weekend call-in talk show (heard on KNEW in the Bay Area). Contact: Rich Sloan, rich@startupnation.com

Investigative reporting fellowship at Cal

2007-06-15T19:27:00.000-07:00

Here's info on a fellowship at UC Berkeley from Chron East Bay bureau chief Charles Burress:

The Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California, Berkeley has established fellowships in investigative reporting, the first of their kind in the nation. Three fellowships, funded by the Sandler Family Supporting Foundation, the Gruber Family Foundation, Scott and Jennifer Fearon, and David Einhorn will be awarded this coming academic year. The fellowships are open to all working journalists, but preference will be given to graduates of the masters program of the journalism school at Berkeley.

The purpose of these fellowships is to promote and nurture the kind of reporting that requires both dedication and critical thinking.

Applicants will be chosen based on their qualifications as well as potential, and the proposed areas of investigation they intend to pursue during the year-long program. There are no educational prerequisites. Fellowships will be administered by the Investigative Reporting Program of the school and its advisory board.

“With the economics of major news organizations deteriorating,” said Lowell Bergman, the professor in charge of the Investigative Program at the Graduate School, “this kind of public interest journalism involving time consuming investigative work is endangered as never before. These fellowships will provide both a refuge and base of operations for a new generation of investigative reporters."

Mr. Bergman said that funding for the fellowships had been secured through 2008-09 academic year. Professor Bergman explained that in the coming year the graduate program in investigative reporting will be focused on public and corporate corruption as well as investigations into the criminal justice system. Applicants are urged to present proposed areas of inquiry within this broad subject area.

Fellows will be provided with office space, phones and basic expenses. They will be housed in the Investigative Reporting Program’s offices at 2481 Hearst Avenue in Berkeley provided by the Reva and David Logan Foundation.

In addition to regular interaction with the faculty of the school of Journalism and the instructors in investigative reporting, the fellows will participate in a weekly seminar in investigative reporting conducted by Professor Lowell Bergman and Robert Gunnison.

Fellows will be salaried employees of the University of California with the job classification of Staff Research Associate II and an annual salary of approximately $45,000 with health benefits. They will also enjoy the privileges of the University allowing them to audit classes and use the University’s research facilities.

The fellowships have been established to augment an endowment created by The Reva and David Logan Foundation that funds a permanent program in investigative reporting at the Journalism School. That endowment and related programs and scholarships are also funded by gifts from Richard and Diane Scruggs, Robert Bishop, Rita and Ian Isaacs, the Gruber Family Foundation and the Gladys P. & Alfredo I. Rodriguez Fund.

The deadline for fellowship applications for the academic year 2007-8 is June 25th. This year's recipients will be announced on July 20th. The fellows’ year-long tenure will begin on August 27th. The application can be found at http://jobs.berkeley.edu/.

Click on 'Search and Apply for Jobs Now'.
Click on 'View Job Posting / Apply for Job'
Enter job number 6509 in the job# box.
Click on job title "Analyst, Administrative"

For further details on the fellowships please visit: http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2007/05/23_report.shtml or email investigativereportingprogram@berkeley.edu.

Help on resumes, negotiating offers, etc.

2007-06-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

An offer of help from former Chron legal affairs reporter Harriet Chiang. Thanks for thinking of us, Harriet:

I'd be glad to talk to people about job markets, resume-writing, how to negotiate an offer, and other insights I picked up from some excellent consultants. I'm at harriet.chiang@gmail.com

Harriet Chiang

IN ADDITION ...

Harriet passed along these two job opps, although they may be more suited for those outside the newsroom. Here goes:

Director of Human Resources (San Francisco)

The company, a full-service television production and product branding company in San Francisco, is seeking to fill a newly-created position of Director of Human Resources to guide and manage the overall provision of Human Resources (HR) services, policies, and programs for staff positions as well as benefit administration services for an approximate 75 staff and freelance employees. The company expects to grow both domestically and internationally.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Human Resources will assist and advise company managers and employees about HR issues. The ideal candidate is experienced in the full range of HR functional areas including compensation and benefits, strong recruiting knowledge and skills, HR systems, and the identification and implementation of successful employee relations and retention practices. The Director will be very “hands-on” initially but may supervise a small staff either directly or on a project basis.

Major areas of responsibility
• HR function development and management, including strategy/policy/process/supervision;
• Recruitment and staffing;
• Employee orientation, development, and training;
• Employee relations;
• Compensation and benefits administration;
• Employee safety, welfare, wellness, and counseling programs
• Assisting in organizational, space, and other company planning

Essential Requirements
• Minimum of 10 years human resources experience, including experience directing or managing a human resources function or team. International HR experience is desirable.
• HR experience in media/arts production, broadcasting, or similar field which has included creative staff.
• Strong management, analytical and written/oral communication skills.
• BA degree in business or job-related field; MBA is desirable.

Compensation: Necessary to hire the best person and will include base salary + bonus + excellent company benefits.

Please forward a resume & cover/transmittal letter to Becky Taylor: BLTaylorAssoc@comcast.net. All resumes will be kept confidential and no resume will be submitted to a client without the candidate’s prior approval.

Director of Business & Legal Affairs (San Francisco)

The company, a full-service television production and product branding company in San Francisco, is currently seeking to fill a newly-created position of Director Of Business & Legal Affairs to execute and manage the full range of business and legal issues common in the entertainment, broadcast, and advertising industry. The company is privately held, has an approximate 75 staff and freelancers, and is expected to grow both domestically and internationally.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director is expected to assist and advise management on general contractual risks, negotiation strategies, and contractual/legal best practices both in the US and internationally. The role is very “hands-on” at this time with limited use of outside counsel. The ideal candidate is experienced in the full range of business affairs and legal affairs, including licensing, copyright, and other intellectual property-related issues, as well as negotiating new arrangements and alliances in production and licensing.

Major areas of responsibility:
• Guiding general contractual matters and transactions;
• Negotiating, drafting, and analyzing agreements that relate to licensing, substantiation, real estate, and compliance;
• Advising senior staff on terms of use and intellectual property and copyright matters;
• Recommending and implementing improvements to forms, processes, and procedures related to substantiation, releases, and licensing.
• Reviewing administration-related legal issues in areas such as human resources, finance, and purchasing.

Essential Requirements:
• J.D. degree from an accredited law school and a valid State of California Bar license.
• Minimum of 5 years legal experience in a related industry, ideally in a production/copyright and broadcast environment. International experience is desirable.
• Knowledge of laws related to direct response advertising and television production is preferred.
• Strong analytical and written/oral communication skills.

Compensation : Necessary to hire the best person and will include base salary + bonus + excellent company benefits.

Please forward a resume and cover/transmittal letter to Becky L. Taylor: BLTaylorAssoc@comcast.net. All resumes will be kept confidential and no resume will be submitted to a client without the candidate’s prior approval.

Job opp: Content coordinator for UC

2007-06-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

Here's one from Janine DeFao, The Chron's youth and family reporter:

The University of California Office of the President is recruiting for a Content Coordinator in the Office of Strategic Communications. This position includes a variety of writing, web, and administrative responsibilities and also will support the university’s ethnic-media outreach efforts. The position is located in downtown Oakland.

Deadline to apply is Friday, June 22. To learn more and/or apply, visit http://jobs.ucop.edu, click on “search postings,” and in the “organizational area” drop-down menu click on “University Affairs—Strategic Communications.”

Anyone with questions can feel free to call Brad Hayward at (510) 987-9195.

Guild workshop on unemployment

2007-06-14T15:25:00.000-07:00

Important announcement about a workshop from Kathleen Rhodes:

If you are leaving The Chronicle under the downsizing agreement, this workshop will give you pretty much all you need in the transition in the area of unemployment.

The Guild is providing through the California Employment Development Department, U.S. Department of Labor and One-Stop Career Link Centers a workshop to help those of us in transition out of the Chronicle. The workshop will cover:

· Unemployment insurance
· Job placement assistance
· Resume and interview assistance
· Free job training in the Bay Area
· COBRA & HIPPA Health Care Benefits

Date: Thursday, June 21, 2007, 1:00 p.m.
Location: Guild Office, 433 Natoma St., SF, 3rd floor

YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP (by Tuesday):
· Kathleen Rhodes x7217 or cell 408-674-2625, krhodes@sfchronicle.com
· Margo Brenes, Guild Office, 415-421-6833, mbrenes@mediaworkers.org

If you can't attend, be aware that we will have future sessions.

Job opp: News editor at NBC11

2007-06-14T15:24:00.000-07:00

From Chron reporter Michael Cabanatuan:

Company: Internet Broadcasting
Position: News Editor- NBC11 (KNTV, San Jose), req #087-07
Location: San Jose, California
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: Negotiable
Ad Expires: June 19, 2007
Job ID: 777173
Website: http://www.ibsys.com

Job opps: Photo/graphics editor, Web producer at Stockton Record

2007-06-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

Here's one from Chron assistant metro editor Audrey Cooper:

Here are some jobs at my ex-workplace in Stockton. My friend is leaving and they're replacing him with a photo/graphics editor. Contact would be Don Blount, dblount@recordnet.com.

This is what my friend says about the job openings:

There’s my position, which Don hasn’t posted yet, but it will basically be director of photo or visuals editor (supervising photo and graphics departments). No layout/design skills necessary.

Then there’s the one below. I think there’s lots of flexibility in what this position actually does on a day-to-day basis. And they are desperate to fill it:

Recordnet.com, the online edition of The Record (61,000 daily, 72,000 Sunday) in Stockton, Calif., has an opening for a Web Content Producer. We’re looking for someone who is experienced in both copy editing and Web design.

The Web Content Producer will be responsible for posting news content and images from the print edition of The Record to the Web site, developing and designing special content pages, creating graphics, building photo galleries, editing multimedia presentations, moderating forums and blogs, maintaining events calendars, posting breaking news items, writing headlines and proofing content. This full-time position in the newsroom calls for some evening shifts.

The ideal candidate should have a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of copy editing experience, basic HTML knowledge and proficiency with graphics software such as Photoshop and Flash. This job also calls for someone with strong news judgment and communication skills.

The Record is at the heart of a competitive, growing market, less than two hours from the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Recordnet.com recently launched a full-scale redesign and is continuing to expand.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume and samples of your work (print or URLs) to Online Editor Megan McCoid, P.O. Box 900, Stockton, CA 95201, or e-mail mmccoid@recordnet.com.

Job opp: The DNA Files

2007-06-14T09:08:00.000-07:00

Another one from Chron small biz columnist Ilana DeBare and copy editor Mary Flaherty:

The DNA Files is seeking a part-time contractor who is fluent in science
journalism, to help implement Web content. In coordination with the Web project manager, this person will review selected science material that has been generated for the radio series, and help prepare it for Web publication: from fact-checking to formatting.

The ideal candidate:
- Has a solid grounding in science
- Judgment/journalistic expertise we can trust
- Experience with Web content (preferred, but not essential)

Naturally, we want all the usual: reliable, smart, cool, punctual, &
collaborative-enabled.

This is a freelance position that would start mid-July and run through early September, and possibly longer.

For more information, please contact:
Ginna Allison, Website Managing Editor, DNA Files ginna@wormlips.com

The DNA Files is an award winning public radio documentary series focused on cutting edge genetic research, produced by SoundVision Productions based in Berkeley, California. Now in its third series, The DNA Files has been recognized for presenting complex scientific research in an accessible and unintimidating way with numerous awards including the George Foster Peabody Award; Alfred duPont-Columbia University Award; American Association for the Advancement of Science Journalism Award; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award and others. The series is funded by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

The one-hour shows will be hosted by John Hockenberry and distributed in the
fall of 2007.

http://dnafiles.org/

Job opp: On-call editor for Yahoo

2007-06-13T15:12:00.000-07:00

This is from Kim Moy, Y! managing editor:

Yahoo! On-Call Front Page Editors

Description:
We're looking for creative and versatile on-call producers to program Yahoo!’s front page. You will work on our successful Featured module, programming exciting, intelligent, relevant packages for the largest audience on the Web. On-call producers will fill in for full-time producers who program for the Yahoo.com and Yahoo! Broadband front pages.

The ideal candidate will have a feel for what works on the Web, a thorough grasp of the competitive landscape and a passion for news, entertainment, and popular culture. You should be able to spot the top “water cooler” story from a diverse field of choices, as well as react to breaking news. You are also flexible, quick-thinking, energetic, efficient, and able to work independently under pressure while maintaining attention to detail. Excellent interpersonal skills are a must, as this position requires interacting with fellow producers and employees throughout Yahoo! Time management skills are also critical.

Please note:
For this round of hiring, we have a tight deadline. Interested folks need to email their resumes to fp_role@yahoo.com by 9 a.m. Thurs (6/14) and should be available for at least one day M-F during the last week of June for in-person interviews and training. We'll pay for the hours they spend in training.

If the timing doesn't work out for folks who are interested, we will have another round of hiring for our on-call positions, probably next month.

Responsibilities:
- Updating Yahoo!’s front page with fresh, compelling content
- Making great choices, crafting clever headlines and tease copy, choosing and cropping appropriate images
- Understanding the Yahoo! audience, and its interests
- Fielding pitches and proactively packaging material from the Yahoo! network
- Managing competing priorities

Requirements:
- A solid grounding in the basic principles of packaging, editing and writing for the Web
- Excellent news judgment
- Demonstrable headline writing, image selection and content packaging skills
- A thorough understanding of editorial best practices and priorities, and an authoritative grasp of the AP Stylebook and Chicago Manual of Style
- Basic HTML skills and experience with online publishing tools preferred
- B.A. required, preferably in journalism or media

On-call front page producers should be available on an as needed basis for shifts throughout the week – including early morning, late evening and weekends. Positions are based in Sunnyvale, CA. Applicants should send a resume to fp_role@yahoo.com, with On-Call Editor in the subject line.

Consider SFSU's paralegal program

2007-06-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

This is from Chron home & garden writer Susan Fornoff:

Journalists who've had enough of this crazy business and want to retrain for a career where they will be increasingly in demand and increasingly well compensated might want to consider the ABA-approved S.F. State paralegal program, which perhaps might qualify under the federal retraining program described earlier in the blog.

The certificate requires 30 credits, generally 10 courses, and with the program running on a trimester system, it's certainly possible to complete them within one year. I attended two evenings a week for five semesters at the downtown campus and received my certificate in the spring of 2005, finding the experience rewarding and invigorating -- smart teachers and students, practical courses, an excellent program focused on civil litigation, with electives in real estate, family, patent, criminal, contract and other specialties of law.

How come I didn't actually become a paralegal, you ask? I have other applications in mind for the certificate, which would include more writing/research/interviewing and less, er, cow-towing to attorneys. The skills we've learned in journalism translate easily into success in the field, however — and though one may take a paycut while collecting experience, it will not be uncommon for a skilled and experienced paralegal to someday earn six figures in the right line of work; there are too many lawyers and not enough paralegals.

Job opp: Metro reporter at LA Daily News

2007-06-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Chron reporter Michael Cabanatuan forwards us this from Brent Hopkins, a reporter for the LA Daily News:

The Daily News has an opening for a fulltime reporter on the metro staff. Bachelor's degree required. At least three years fulltime reporting experience on a metro daily required.

Hours: Nights and weekends and subject to change

Apply in writing to Melissa Lalum, managing editor, no later than 5 p.m., June 21. No phone calls. Applicants must supply complete resume, samples showing proficiency at reporting and writing for newspapers and the names, addresses and phone numbers of the three most recent supervisors.

Job opps: assistant editor, reporter, copy chief for biz at Boston Globe

2007-06-12T19:48:00.001-07:00

Here's a contribution from Vindu Goel, editorial writer at the San Jose Mercury News. This post, like several others, shows how narrow my original thinking was in naming this blog "Chronicle colleagues who care." Although competition is a vital and necessary component of our profession, this blog is really about supporting our fellow journalists from all newsrooms during a time of great upheaval. (Thanks, Vindu.)

Hi, Marcus. Even though I work at the Mercury News, I think we all need to support each other in these tough times for Bay Area media.

Shirley Leung, AME/Business at the Boston Globe, asked me to spread the word about the following openings at the Globe:

1) Assistant business editor (in charge of Sunday business)
2) Reporter, either financial services (mutual funds, private equity, hedge fundss) or advertising/marketing/media
3) Business copy desk chief (an assistant business editor overseeing 6 copy editors and functioning as the night editor)

Interested applicants should contact:
Shirley Leung
Assistant Managing Editor/Business
Boston Globe
617.929.3270
sleung@globe.com

Best of luck to everyone at the Chron,

Vindu Goel
Editorial Writer
San Jose Mercury News
vgoel@mercurynews.com

Job opp: Project manager at Diablo Publications

2007-06-12T14:28:00.000-07:00

This comes to us via Chronicle Magazine editor Alison Biggar:

Position Title:
DCP Project Manager

About Us:
Diablo Publications is an award-winning regional publisher located in Walnut Creek. DCP is the custom-publishing/marketing services arm of Diablo Publications. DCP produces customer newsletters and magazines, collateral, and online products for a variety of clients in the fields of health care, sports and corporate communications. Our clients include the American Cancer Society, Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), Comcast, Chevron, the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants.

About the Position:
Project managers ensure that customer needs are being met and exceeded by guiding the activities of project teams of designers and editors. They monitor the budget, schedule and scope of their assigned projects and maintain a high level of professional contact with customers.

About You:
You're a highly motivated and organized person with a knack for managing the details of complex projects. You thrive in a team environment where providing a high level of customer service is key to your job performance. You enjoy a challenge, can juggle multiple projects at one time, and keep a smile on your face despite deadlines threatening to bury you at any moment.

Qualifications:
• Demonstrated success managing projects - experience in a print or online publishing environment is a plus
• A keen understanding of and sensibility about customer-service
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Sense of humor

Competencies:
• Customer Focus
• Conflict Resolution/Negotiation Skills
• Listening/Understanding
• Organization/Time Management
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem Solving

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
• Act as primary customer contact for the DCP project team
• Develop and monitor project schedules for print and web projects
• Monitor project budgets to ensure timely, on-budget delivery of services
• Meet with team members (account managers, graphic designers, editors) on a regular basis to review project status
• Keep apprised of all relevant project developments
• Visit clients on-site on an as-needed basis
• Review project scope and strategy on a regular basis
• Ensure timely billing of clients
• Coordinate vendor services (printing, web programming, etc.)
• Audit vendor invoices to ensure compliance with project budgets
• Reconcile project costs at close of project

If you are interested in applying for this position, please email your resume with cover letter and salary requirements to Eileen Cunningham, Director of Operations at ecunningham@maildiablo.com. No phone calls please.

In a New York state of mind

2007-06-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a note from former Chron writer Marianne Costantinou (edited for length):

Hi. I took a buyout last summer, but believe it or not, I have not even looked for a job. I decided to give myself a year off to decide what I wanted to do next and where. I would love to hear from former colleagues and those taking a buyout now, to hear what they’ve decided to do. I need some inspiration. My email is mcgreek@mcgreek.net.

Anyway, though I haven’t applied for anything yet, I have been trawling through the Internet, to see what’s out there. ... An internal memo from Newsday was just posted on Romenesko. The editor there announced that the paper is looking to hire 10 to 12 reporters this summer. This is pretty extraordinary in these times. This is an excellent newspaper headquartered on Long Island, about an hour’s drive to NYC. Also, Village Voice Media, which owns the SF Weekly and alternative papers in major cities across the country, is constantly advertising for writers and editors; their ads are on their website, and on all the journalism job websites.

I’m in NYC now. It’s media central, so if relocation is possible or enticing, (and, BTW, you CAN receive CA unemployment benefits and live in NYC or anywhere else in the country) I would encourage you to look at the zillions of magazines here, if not as a writer or editor, then as a copyeditor. Times Warner seems to have lots of jobs, and Bloomberg Financial is ALWAYS hiring (and I hear the pay is very good). I’ve also seen postings for AP jobs — including photographers — for cities across the country. Meanwhile, the New York Times is always auditioning prospective copyeditors; they also seem to have a constant flow of jobs for their online site. On their web page at the bottom they have a link to internal jobs, but as you know, not all openings are announced. The Times pays extremely well, by the way, at least 50 percent more than the Chron, while the cost of living is almost the same. (Manhattan has preposterously high rents and forget buying, but you can find Bay Area rents in its boroughs, Brooklyn & Queens.)

Also in NYC, the city’s four-year public university system, known as CUNY, has opened two journalism programs which have advertised for faculty, from professors to instructors. One of the programs is the new Graduate School of Journalism in Manhattan, and I believe the other is at Queens College. Each CUNY campus (and there are at least a half dozen, not including the community colleges) also advertises on its website for instructors in every field imaginable, from English to History to Business, so if you have an expertise, that would be a good starting point.... Also, while in NYC, the public school system has something of a famous Fellowship program for mid-career Professionals where they pay for your Master’s Degree and pay you about $40K for a two-year or so commitment to teach in inner-city schools... Also, tutoring. On Craigslists across the country I see zillions of ads for tutoring jobs; in the Bay Area, you can easily get $50 to $100 an hour teaching kids in their homes. Help with writing papers, the SAT exams and college essays are just the beginning. If you don’t want to be a freelance tutor, places like Kaplan and Princeton Review are advertising like $45 an hour.

One place I think wise to consider, especially for mid-career folks and those nearing retirement, are government jobs. They’re one of the few places we can still earn a pension. CALPERS, the CA state retirement system, is considered one of the best in the country, and you can’t beat the salaries and pensions offered by the city of San Francisco. We have loads of adaptable skills.... If you’re under the age of 37 and have been drug-free for a while, the FBI can use your investigative and interviewing skills, not only as a Special Agent but also as a well-paying analyst. As a reminder, many journalists in the past have gone on to careers as private investigators, especially at private law firms... I’ve also heard of folks becoming Real Estate agents, which, believe it or not, we’re well-trained for.

Lastly, about health insurance: If you are planning to move out-of-state, please be aware that the COBRA payments are almost double, which the Chron offer will NOT cover. ... In New York (sorry, my hometown), the state has a superb low-cost health insurance plan called Healthy New York; if you’re single and you earn less than $40K in a calendar year (or something like that; you can earn more if married or have kids), you get a no-medical-questions asked policy with Blue Cross, HealthNet, Oxford, Aetna or a host of others (your choice) that’s almost as good as the Chron’s. I pay $236 a month, and I’ve got everything but dental, vision, shrink visits.... Also, if worse came to worse and your COBRA payments run out, please remember that Starbucks will provide full medical coverage if you work some minimum number of hours, like 20 hours or something. I know, you’re overqualified, but it’s been the salvation of many struggling artists and freelancers I know. And it can be mindless fun.

Oops, I’ve really gone on. If only I was this productive when I was there. : )

I’m worried about you and feel your pain. Please let me know how you’re doing and what your plans are.

My love to all, Marianne

Job opps: Media trainers

2007-06-11T22:28:00.000-07:00

Here are two e-mails describing opportunities for journalists to become media trainers:

Hi,
I've written a few pieces for (former Chron Insight editor) Jim Finefrock and am gutted by what is going on at the Chronicle.

Anyhow, for what's worth, I'm a former Chicago Trib employee who now works as a journalism trainer in developing countries. I thought it might be worth letting your colleagues know that there might be something worthwhile in this for them, especially if they're not sure what to do next. It can be a good interim thing to do, and a good opportunity to reassess your situation --many of my training colleagues did some journalism training after being laid off or accepting early retirement.

A good place to start would be the International Center for Journalists (and it's Knight program), which issues an online newsletter called IJNET. Others are Internews, Irex, IJF (Independent Journalism Foundation). You can google Media Training Organizations and come up with a host of NGOs that need journalism trainers.

Please don't think I represent ICFJ--I don't...I just think it's a pretty good organization doing good work (as are the others) and might be helpful for your colleagues who finds themselves at a crossroads (or even LOOKING for a crossroads...)

Cheers,
Patti McCracken
www.pattimccracken.blogspot.com
www.pattimcc.blogspot.com

And here's the other e-mail

Media Training: Two Opportunities

Here is an opportunity right now for you to try something new with those hard earned journalistic skills. Australia's Media Skills is looking to expand its network into the United States.

There are two opportunities. The first is to play journalist in a media training program starting at the end of June in Northern California. It would give you a chance to check out how media training works and to see if you would like to try your hand at that business. You must have had mainstream media experience – your Chronicle experience is ideal - and if you consider yourself be flexible, versatile and can maintain client confidentiality then this is the job for you.

Playing journalist in a training session means that you conduct practice interviews with a number of participants on nominated topics – the first job requires knowledge of banking/general finance issues here in Northern California and you will be “interviewing” the CEO. You will be required to give feedback and, in real-time, give an overview of what story you will write as a result of that interview.

The second opportunity is to become a media trainer and learning how to run your own media training business.

If interested, call Jane Jordan-Meier at (707)646-2897 or (707) 386-9864. The Media Skills website (currently undergoing a revamp) is www.mediaskills.com.au.

Job opps at KQED; offer of help on resumes

2007-06-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

This is from Michael Cabanatuan, Chronicle reporter and local president of the Guild (thanks, Michael):

Adrianne Cabanatuan, my wife and former Chronicle recruiting manager, is now the HR manager (for employment) at KQED/Northern California Public Broadcasting. She says they have three editor jobs and some other positions open, and they're willing to consider print people. She also has information on positions at some other broadcast stations in the Bay Area.

As someone who was laid off by the Chronicle in 2004, she really has felt your pain. She's also willing to do general resume and job search consultation, whether it's for KQED or elsewhere. She can be reached at: 415-553-2307 or acabanatuan@kqed.org

Federal funds for retraining

2007-06-11T11:25:00.000-07:00

Former Chronicle writer/editor John Hubbell checks in from Chapel Hill, N.C., with this (thanks, John):

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the federal government classifies newspapers
as an official “dying industry.” Like lumberjacks or New England
fishermen, there’s less of them as each year passes.

But that means those who leave the trades can qualify for federal
funds to retrain themselves in industries classified as “growing.” I
asked a friend who capitalized on this after leaving newspapers to
explain in general for you how it all works. She replied:

"... anyone who is laid off or downsized will qualify for the same
federal funds I received. They'll need to enroll in the state's
unemployment program as soon as possible. All of the retraining
programs and funds available will be mentioned during the mandatory
unemployment orientation class they'll have to attend to continue
their benefits after the first few weeks. The only stipulations are
that they find a training program they can complete in less than 1
year (that's why I opted for [an] 8-month… program rather than a two-year program] and the new field they are going into must be
considered a growing industry. Not only will state and federal funds
cover the cost of their retraining, but they will continue to receive
full unemployment benefits during that time."

Meantime, two lesser-trafficked job Web sites I’ve found helpful are
those serving print professionals looking to transition to the
comparatively healthy world of public radio (www.current.org), and
another that lists technical writing jobs (www.developers.net – type
"writer" in the search field.

I’ll write more to you soon about some education-related sites that
may help -- places looking for college newspaper advisers and the
like. My thoughts are with you all during this extremely rough time.

John Hubbell
jhubbell@email.unc.edu

A quick note

2007-06-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

Many thanks

First off, a big thank-you to those who have contributed to this blog, either by offering advice, relevant job opportunities or simply moral support. So far, this blog has been fed by a great mixture of contributors: current staff, former staff (some who left recently, some from long ago), and even folks from other newspapers (including one LAT pressman who wanted to help out).

Job opps

In regards to job postings, I'll try to post as many as I can, but I will give priority to those opportunities that best match the skill sets of those leaving (and granted, I don't know the skills and strengths of each of the 100 journalists leaving, but I'll make my best guess).

Contact info

For those who have recently left The Chronicle, note that I will only provide your name and contact info (e-mail and phone) if you request it. I'm taking an "opt in" approach out of respect for your privacy. Additionally, if you want me to post additional info/links (such as your previous title, URL to online resume, links to your best work) alongside your name just in case prospective employers are looking at the blog, let me know. Whatever helps.

Thanks,
Marcus Chan
Multimedia editor

Tips for freelancers

2007-06-08T17:50:00.000-07:00

Chronicle tech reporter Tom Abate shares this tidbit:

Those going freelance for the first time in a while should check out MediaBistro.com, a New York-based web site that offers among other services a free job board for full-time and freelance gigs. Access to the job lists is free but requires registration.

MediaBistro recently added a new service but only for paid members of what it calls AvantGuild — access to a health plan. I have not priced the plan nor looked into its features (does it require an exam or exclude pre-existing conditions?). But for those wondering what comes after COBRA that could be a better option than trying to buy an individual policy.

Job opp: Admissions director at UC Berkeley

2007-06-08T17:28:00.000-07:00

This comes to us from Mary Flaherty, oncall copyeditor. Tx, Mary:

Dear alumni: I'm writing to let you know about a job opportunity at the Journalism School. We seek a new director of admissions, whose charge also includes student affairs. I alert you to this because we have an expressed preference for someone with journalistic understanding and sensibility.

As you know, this is a vital position at the school, one carrying considerable input in shaping the profession's future. Details about the job are below. You can also find the posting under "jobs" on the Berkeley web site at http://www.berkeley.edu

Main Campus-Berkeley
Salary: $47,844 - $67,836 annual full-time rate
The Graduate School of Journalism's Director of Admissions and Student Affairs is responsible for admissions and outreach programs, student advising and support, student employment procedures, financial support allocation and alumni affairs. The Director is also responsible for strategic planning on behalf of the School of Journalism. The Director supervises a staff of 3 student affairs officers. The unit also includes several student assistants.

Responsibilities:

--Outreach/Admissions/Recruitment (40%). Reviews all applications for admission; coordinates and supervises faculty admissions committee; oversees all contact with potential students. Works with faculty, staff and dean in developing strategies for increasing enrollment of under-represented groups. Designs and supervises outreach programs, materials, open houses, and special events. Responsible for recruitment/yield activities. Most efforts are carried out in conjunction with the Admissions and Academic Affairs Coordinator.

--Student Affairs (40%). Serves as head graduate advisor for the School. Responsible for all student affairs matters. Supervises resolution of student problems and grievances, including academic difficulties, allegations of discrimination, and personal crises. Advises students on academic, personal and financial matters that impact their J-School experience. Allocates departmental student funding, including fellowships and merit grant awards; and oversees disbursement of funds, management of account budgets and reports to donors. In conjunction with Funding and Student Affairs Coordinator, the Director advises students on federal aid, scholarship and grant options. Oversees GSR hiring process and policies. Recommends hiring assignments based on student strengths and weaknesses and instructor needs. Manages budget of Student Affairs office (includes school wide student assistant budget).

--Alumni Affairs (10%). In conjunction with the Alumni Affairs Coordinator works to support the Alumni Board's efforts on behalf of the J-School. Provides support as needed to the coordinator and information, guidance and support to the board as needed.

--Long-range planning and fundraising (10%). Serves as a resource and leader for the J-School community on issues relevant to the student experience includes strategic planning recommendations, advice on curriculum, support programs, issues of concern, etc.). Works with faculty, staff and dean in drafting grant proposals and strategies for increasing student scholarships and awards. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Qualifications:

--B.A. or equivalent knowledge and experience - Experience managing student activities and academic affairs, and advising and counseling individual students
--Ability to work independently, manages staff, handles a variety of projects and establish priorities effectively
--Demonstrated effective organizational, problem solving, communication, and analytical skills
--Demonstrated ability to make consistent, sound recommendations, exercise clear judgment in ethical application of policies
--Experience in working with relational databases related to registration or student databases (includes writing queries and importing/exporting data)
--Experience working with and managing budgets and funding resources
--Experience designing and delivering workshops/programs
--Excellent oral/written communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with diverse groups
--Strong interest in journalism
--Must be available to work occasional evenings and weekends during certain busy periods of academic year

Preferred:

At least four years experience in graduate level admissions and/or student advising. We especially welcome applicants who have worked in news organizations or in schools of journalism. First review of applications will be 7/2/07

What to do with your 401(k) plans

2007-06-08T15:48:00.000-07:00

Chronicle finance columnist Kathleen Pender offers these links to previous stuff she's written on what to do with 401(k) plans when you leave a company:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/02/22/BUGT9O8MHE1.DTL

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/05/03/BUG58PJQ511.DTL

Job opps: Biz editor, writers at Seattle Times

2007-06-08T15:15:00.000-07:00

Here's your chance to move closer to Bill Gates. Thanks to Chron business editor Ken Howe, who has this to share:

I got a call from Becky Bisbee, business editor of the Seattle Times this morning. She expressed a lot of sympathy for what we're going throught. She has three, maybe four jobs available, and urges anyone who's interested to contact her soonest at bbisbee@seattletimes.com. Send resume, links to stories, word documents, etc. She stressed blogging, podcasting and other new media experience a plus.

Becky said the Times pays customary and reasonable moving expenses. Her phones are 206-464-2494 and 206-464-2111. Here are the openings:

Assistant Business Editor/Writer
Real Estate
Player/coach to write and edit R.E. stories

Retail Reporter
To cover Nordstrom, Costco, Amazon, Expedia, etc

Tech Reporter
To cover digital media, the Web, MicroSoft, Xbox, etc.

She may also be hiring a Trade/Ports Reporter

Job opp: Copy editors at NYT

2007-06-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a job posting from former Chron news editor Mike Wolgelenter, who e-mails his support from Hong Kong:

New York Times Is Seeking Copy Editors
Thu Jun 7, 2007 11:02 am (PST)
The New York Times has several openings for copy editors that it is
actively seeking to fill. Applicants should have three to five years experience on a copy or assigning desk of a major metropolitan newspaper or an equivalent news operation. Because copy editors at The Times exercise broad responsibilities and because The Times uses its copy desks as a primary recruiting ground for assigning and other supervising editors, the best-prepared applicants will have experience as an assigning or supervising editor. Web experience is a plus.

Salary and benefits are competitive with the nation's top newspapers. The Times offers a stable employment environment with many opportunities for rapid advancement. Several of the editors listed on the newspaper's masthead started on the paper's copy desk.

For more information or to apply, please contact copydesk@nytimes.com. Because of the volume of applications, we will reply only to those who are under serious consideration. The New York Times Company is an equal opportunity employer and
encourages minority candidates to apply.

Job opp: Senior editor at Wired News

2007-06-07T17:11:00.000-07:00

Here's one from Diane Curtis:

Senior Editor, Culture - Wired News
http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=57631&page= (you have to sign in to view)

Senior Editor, Culture - Wired News
Publication or Company Condé Nast Publications
Industry Journalism / Printing / Publishing
Job Duration Full Time
Job Location San Francisco, CA USA

Job Requirements The Senior Editor, Culture for Wired News is a leader who can inspire and motivate a team of writers and junior editors to consistently produce world class journalism for a real time online news site. The Senior Editor sets the editorial agenda for his/her beat, recruits writers, maintains quality and discipline, assigns stories, establishes significant relationships with important members of the communities he/she covers and mentors junior staff. This position manages up to 5 full time staff and contract contributors, as well as several part time freelance writers. The Senior Editor is expected to consistently produce outstanding original work that deserves and gets the attention of the tech community at large, through frequent scoops, scoops of perception, news analysis and commentary. Additionally, this person is an expert in his/her area of coverage able to maintain a high profile in his/her respective beats by participating in industry events and making media appearances to promote Wired News whenever appropriate. Day to day, the Senior Editor, Culture is responsible for overseeing 3 sections on the site -- Culture, Entertainment and Gaming -- as well as the Underwire and Game|Life blogs.

The ideal candidate has a strong grasp of the "Wired" worldview, and expresses it through prescient blog posts, news reports, reviews, photo galleries, video clips, MP3s and Q&As. This candidate has a BA with a minimum of 5 years editing experience in a daily news environment. Familiarity with blogging and photo editing tools a plus.

Job opp: News copy desk chief at CCTimes

2007-06-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

From Elisa Clark:

NEWS COPY DESK CHIEF: The Contra Costa Times seeks an editor with at least five years of daily newspaper experience, including at least one year as a supervisor of copy editors, news desk or editorial production. The copy desk chief is the supervising editor in the newsroom at night, and is one of the supervisors of the news copy desk. This includes overseeing story play and page production; working with wire and Metro editors to determine news hole distribution; editing stories and headlines as needed; and troubleshooting stories, page production, technical systems and staffing issues. Candidate must be able to promote a collaborative working environment with other editors, page designers, writers, photographers and graphic artists; and adept at scheduling, news budgeting, editing, AP style, teaching and mentoring. Candidate will help in the development of the production desk staff, which includes all of our newsroom's copy editors, page designers and graphic artists. The position includes night and weekend work. The Times is located in the San Francisco East Bay region with a circulation of 180,000.

Send resume and clips to assistant managing editor Bob Nishizaki, 2640 Shadelands Dr., Walnut Creek, CA 94598; or e-mail bnishizaki@cctimes.com.

Also, I hear they are short a few copy editors and a page designer.

Job opps: Something a little different

2007-06-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

A smattering of opportunities ...

This comes to us from Alan Mutter, the former No. 2 editor at The Chronicle (back in the day -- or, at least before my time):

Would like to hear from anyone who has a strong analytical background in water issues and/or alternative power technologies. Must understand scientific, legal, environmental and financial issues associated with one or more of the above topics.

Thanks and best wishes to former colleagues.

Regards,
Alan D. Mutter
415.519.2495
alan.mutter@broadbandxxi.com

Here's one from Chron HR business partner April Kenyon:

Catholic San Francisco, the Catholic newspaper published by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, has two news reporting positions open due to recent retirements. We now are looking to fill these full-time positions. The contact person would be Dan Morris-Young, editor, at 415 614-5648; email: morrisyoungd@sfarchdiocese.org.

And one more -- this from Chron food writer Karola Craib:

Position Title: Marketing Communications Coordinator
Entry-level position
Are you a new grad or young professional looking for a strong introduction to a broad range of marketing roles? We’re looking for a smart and motivated individual who is interested in learning the marketing communications profession in a hands-on environment. You will assist a small team of experienced communications professionals doing a variety of projects including, but not limited to, collateral creation, branding, positioning, event management, direct mail, website development, presentation development, budgeting and administration, as well as writing and editing for public relations campaigns and internal communications programs.

Spansion® is dedicated to enabling, storing and protecting digital content in the automotive, consumer electronics, networking and wireless markets. As the largest company exclusively focused on Flash memory solutions, Spansion has one of the most diverse and comprehensive Flash product lines on the market.

This job is a full-time position which requires a 4 Year Degree and at least 1 year of experience (internships ok).
Potential Responsibilities Include:
• Supporting marketing communications team with various projects
• Tracking production schedules and budgets to ensure projects stay on time and on budget
• Proofing all materials for brand consistency, grammar, positioning, etc
• Assisting with the execution of e-mail and direct mail communication projects
• Working with outside vendors on PowerPoint presentations, design projects, miscellaneous deliverables
• Manage inventory of collateral, including timely shipments and distribution of collateral to events, regional offices, and sales personnel.
• Play a primary support role in building channel marketing programs with Spansion’s distributors.
• Supporting various events
• Help with website management/content creation
• Assisting with communications for major product launches and corporate milestone campaigns
• Writing and editing for internal communications intranet stories, PR programs, such as partner press releases and pitches
• Preparing press/analyst meeting briefing documents, as well as coverage reports
• Building press media lists
• Developing press kits
• Researching speaking opportunities for executives
• General office tasks and meeting coordination
Job Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Business)
• 1-3 year(s) prior experience (internship okay) with an ad agency, PR firm, marketing firm or in-house corporate communications department
• Organized, enthusiastic and wants to learn
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong project management, multitasking, prioritization skills are absolutely essential
• Experience with MS Office including Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of graphics programs a plus but not required
For more info, contact mark.franken@spansion.com.

Job opps: Designer, A&E editor at Seattle P-I

2007-06-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

Another one from former North Bay Chron reporter Pamela Podger:

The Seattle P-I's Graphics and Design team is seeking a talented, sophisticated and versatile designer who is able to conceptualize and execute innovative ideas under daily deadline pressure. The ideal candidate would have strong typography, packaging and visual editing skills with a passion for bold, informative news presentation.

Daily assignments will vary with opportunities to work on news, sports and features sections. We are looking for someone who is flexible, able to roll with last minute changes and is willing help where help is needed. Experience with CCI and the Adobe Creative Suite is a plus.

This is a night design position and the daily schedule will vary from 2 p.m.-11 p.m. to 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Working a Sunday rotation and split days off will be required at times.

The deadline for internal applications is Wed, June 13. If you are interested, please contact me. We are also accepting external applications.

Katherine Barnett
Human Resources Manager
Seattle P-I
206-448-8084

The P-I is currently accepting applications for the A&E assigning editor position. We are seeking an experienced assignment editor to plan and edit our arts and entertainment coverage. Strong word editing skills, ability to manage a creative writing staff, and a strong pop-culture sensibility are essential. Also preferred: entertainment coverage experience, familiarity with development of online content, and experience working with designers to present news content. Candidates must respond well to breaking news, have excellent news judgment, and work efficiently and effectively on deadline. Position requires strong organizational and long-range planning skills, and a talent for spotting trends and producing enterprise stories and packages for print and online.

Responsibilities include content for the daily Life and Arts section, the weekly What's Happening tab, A1 enterprise, staff blogs, and development of other online content. The job involves working some nights and weekends. This editor must have the ability to work independently as well as be a contributing member of the management team, and must deal professionally with the public.

A Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field; five years experience at a daily newspaper; management and editing experience; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Katherine Barnett
Human Resources Manager
Seattle P-I
206-448-8084