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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Centre County Documenters Program Coordinator
The News Lab at Penn State is seeking a part-time coordinator to support our pioneering Centre Documenters program, which trains and pays students to attend and document public meetings in six Centre County townships. Documenters are working to find new and creative ways of sharing that information with local residents, news organizations, and public officials – from a texting service and newsletter to video roundups and a podcast. As the first student-run and rural Documenters site in the national network, we're reimagining how universities and communities can collaborate to strengthen local information systems.
We're looking for an organized and detail-oriented professional to provide administrative support for the program, manage student documenter teams, and help maintain partnerships that build an engaged audience around our work in Centre County. You will report to the Director of the News Lab / Editorial Director of Bellisario Media Center, who sets strategy for the program and will work closely with you to execute it.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Operations
- Coordinate Documenter meeting assignments and scheduling and manage workflow tracking systems.
- Document and refine program workflows
- Assist with general record-keeping and program data-gathering
- Support expansion efforts to include community member documenters
Team Support
- Support student documenters, fact-checkers, editors, social media team members and newsletter editors and guide teams to meet weekly deadlines
- Ensure smooth operations and support creative problem solving
- Assist with training sessions for both student and community documenters
- Help identify opportunities for program improvement and expansion
- Coordinate between different team functions to maintain program quality
Community Engagement
- Support outreach efforts to communities throughout Centre County
- Support the development of partnerships with local organizations
- Help ensure documenters' work reaches community members and local information networks.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent organizational, administrative and people skills
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple workflows
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Eager to learn new software and media platforms
- Ability to work flexible hours—some evenings and weekends.
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER APPLYING IF
- You're detail-oriented and passionate about local government
- You believe in the power of civic engagement to create positive change
- You're excited to work with both students and community members
- You're committed to strengthening rural information systems
- You have a strong knowledge of Centre County and civic structures
COMPENSATION
- 20 hours per week at $25/hour
- Flexible scheduling with some evening or weekend hours
- Professional development opportunities through the national Documenters Network
ABOUT CENTRE DOCUMENTERS
Centre Documenters is reimagining how rural communities and university students can collaborate to strengthen local information systems. As part of the national Documenters Network and housed within the News Lab at Penn State, we train and pay students to attend and document public meetings and serve Centre County residents and local information networks with that documentation. To learn more about the Documenters national network, you can do so here: https://www.documenters.org/about/
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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