WE NEED YOU!

Voices of Central Pennsylvania, currently in its 16th year of continuous publication, is the region's only fully-independent, fully-local community newspaper. No giant media corporation owns us, nor are we an offshoot of a larger paper. We don't get our copy from wire services. Everything you see in our newspaper (or on this website) we make ourselves.

But who's this WE?

"WE" is YOU. Voices is a true community organization, staffed entirely by volunteers since its inception in August 1993. We depend on our readers to contribute their skills as writers, editors, artists, compositors, distributors, and more.

We have a number of open staff positions. We're encouraging all who wish to participate to join us in whatever capacity their time, interests, and abilities will allow. Voices provides an excellent opportunity for experience and growth, allowing participants to take on as much (or as little) responsibility as they wish. Working with us can be a great learning experience, a resume builder, and a chance to do something to enrich the cultural life of the community.

Some positions we're currently looking to fill:

PRODUCTION MANAGER
Directs the production process: computerized page layout and printing, manual assembly of pages and ads. Coordinates ad placement for each issue with the advertising manager. Lays out ads to customers' specifications. Requires knowledge of PageMaker for the Macintosh, good page layout skills, and ability to work within a specified layout style. Graphic design ability a plus.

SECTION EDITOR
Works with writers and other contributors to gather and report news in the area covered by the the respective section. Contributes to Editorials. May assist in the production process. Currently, we are looking for an editor for the UNIVERSITY sections.

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER (Currently filled)
Ensures delivery of papers from the production facility to all distribution points in the Centre Region and provides general oversight for distribution efforts in Blair County and elsewhere. Directs the work of volunteer distribution staff. Monitors distribution points, maintains records, and adjusts allocations according to need. Recruits new distribution staff and develops new distribution points.

ASSISTANT EDITOR
Works with the section editors to write, edit, and gather news, and to prepare the section for production.

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Assist in the production process: computerized page layout and printing, manual assembly of pages and ads. Quark experience preferred, but will train.

STAFF WRITERS (investigative reporters and feature writers, all sections)
Research and write news and feature articles, developing own leads and/or taking assignments as appropriate. No journalistic experience required, but must have good written communication skills and be able to work within Voices' submission criteria.

OFFICE ASSISTANT
Assist the office manager and subscription manager in keeping our business office staffed, subscriptions mailed, phone answered, mail handled. Set your own hours. Requires pleasant phone manner. Must develop and maintain a general working knowledge of Voices' personnel and operations. Financial and/or sales experience helpful.

DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS
Assist in delivery of Voices to established distribution points in State College, University Park, Bellefonte, and outlying areas. Must have reliable transportation.

The above listings are arranged roughly in order by amount of time commitment required. Depending on the number and type of applicants we receive, some positions may be split and others combined. As a volunteer organization, we do not set strict work schedules or hourly requirements, but section editors are expected to attend weekly meetings and to be available to assist in production, usually one weekend per month with breaks in midsummer and over the winter holidays. The production schedule is determined by each issue's copy deadline and projected street date.

We are a small organization, but we're not without ambitions. One ambition is to publish more frequently than our current 10 issues per year, and another is to be able to pay our staff and our writers for their efforts (currently only expenses are reimbursed). To achieve these goals will take the efforts of a strong staff of capable people.

Join us!

Submit an inquiry