Pro bono PR help needed

This is from our friend Rick D'Elia:

The Welcome to America Project, a local non-profit in my pro bono stable of favorite local orgs is looking for some PR help.

"We are trying to build up our Communications Committee and Development Committee. They both meet once per month to connect on projects and efforts. We are pushing hard for fundraising efforts now. If you know anyone, I would love to contact them.

"WTAP is seeking a local celebrity to MC the Prom this year on February 19, 2011. Do you know anyone that might be able to help us in our search?"

If anyone is interested in helping, please contact Megan and tell her Rick sent you:

Megan O’Connor

Executive Director

The Welcome to America Project

602.490.0088 x1

Republic job opening

My source on the inside passed along another job opening at the Arizona Republic. Once again, I'm not sure if they're looking for external candidates, but it's always worth a shot if you are qualified and interested...

State agencies/politics reporter Casey Newton has given his notice, effective Nov. 3, to cover technology for the business desk at the San Francisco Chronicle. Casey is a tech savvy reporter who loves the Bay Area, so we are confident he will do well there.

Interested applicants should contact State Government and Politics Editor Christina Leonard.

We’re looking for an experienced state government/politics reporter who will serve as a watchdog over state government and write about how budget cuts and policy decisions impact residents. The coverage area includes a range of topics including the state budget, politics, health and social services, environment, prisons, elections and parks.

This reporter will focus primarily on enterprise and investigative work, but he or she will have to juggle breaking news and write for multiple platforms – Page One and Valley & State, azcentral.com, our political blog and Twitter and Facebook. The reporter must be a team player, willing to work closely with three other reporters who cover the state Legislature and the Governor’s Office.

The ideal candidate is a self starter who has a proven track record. He or she has shown good source development and beat management in previous beats, demonstrated a devotion to watchdog journalism and displayed strong writing skills. Previous experience covering state or local government is a plus.

Qualified candidates should e-mail state government and politics editor Christina Leonard at christina.leonard@arizonarepublic.com with links to no more than six stories in the past two years, a resume, three references, and a letter explaining why we should consider you. Deadline: Oct. 29.

Covering immigration; going to Uganda

Yes, I know those sound like two wildly different concepts. But they're linked by one special person.

Our friend and photographer extraordinaire Rick D'Elia is looking for ideas for pictures concerning immigration issues. His plea is below; I hope someone out there can help him out.

Also, Rick is organizing innovative, fascinating "documentary and wildlife" photography trips to Uganda. Rick spent a year there and has some amazing stories and pictures. He's willing to share his expertise and insider knowledge with a select group of folks, and it sounds like it is going to be a real learning experience. Anyone remotely interested in a photography career should check it out. Web site and contact info is below.

Here's the criteria for his immigration coverage:

Also I am searching for some sidebar/deeper stories to photograph relating to immigration whether its immigrants who are community leaders, how immigrants legal and illegal are affected by the current climate, immigrant successes, how people deal with overcoming general challenges of being a modern-day immigrant, and other things that are not occurring to me right now. I am trying to put together a package of images for my picture agency tthat might have legs as the debate continues.

Rick D'Elia
D'Elia Photographic
480-452-5723
The Uganda Workshop: http://ugandaworkshop.blogspot.com
Website at: www.deliaphotographic.com
Blog: www.deliaphotographic.blogspot.com

Journalism Jumpstart Workshop Series

The face of journalism is evolving faster than in any other time in
history - are you prepared? Join Phoenix SPJ and the Rocky Mountain
chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
(NATAS) in a series of six workshops designed to reinvent you and your
career direction.

The workshops are free to SPJ and NATAS members, $10 to people who
RSVP in advance and $15 at the door (cash only). Or you can purchase
all six for $50 (or if you join either group in person at any one of
the workshops you can get in all remaining workshops for free). Light
desserts and beverages will also be provided courtesy of Media Watch
AZ.

The first workshop is September 8, so be sure to check out
http://phoenixspj.org/2010/08/12/journalism-jumpstart-workshop-series
for all the info. See you there!

--
Get the latest information on upcoming chapter events and activities at the Web site for the Valley of the Sun chapter of SPJ:www.phoenixspj.org

SPJ is on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/phxspj
SPJ is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/spjphx

If you haven't done so already, please add phxspj@gmail.com and phxspj@googlegroups.com to your address book to ensure that you receive the latest information on upcoming chapter events, tips on job openings and journalism-related activities in the Phoenix area.

AZ Lifestyle seeks "writers"

One of our colleagues says that AZ Lifestyle magazine is looking for "writers," but I put that in quotation marks because there are a few caveats. I'm not sure any professionals would want to take this on, but if you know college students just starting out, it might be a way for them to build some bylines.

1. Pay sucks. They pay $150 for stories around 1,500 words or more. Often you must find and send your own photographs.

2. It's a fight to get paid. They are supposed to pay 30 days after publication, but you have to file an invoice and then nag and nag and nag. They no longer have an editor - you work with the publisher, Greg Tortorello.

3. All of the stories are previewed for the people interviewed in the stories prior to publication, and the advertising people are actively involved in editorial matters.

It's online at www.az-lifestyle.net. They're trying to beef up their online presence.

To reach the publisher, send an email to gtort@az-lifestyle.com.

Temp PR job

From city of Glendale:

Public Relations Specialist - Temporary - Marketing Department

SALARY: $26.44 - $27.88 per hour DOQ
OPPORTUNITY: Open Competitive
OPENING DATE: July 26, 2010
CLOSING DATE: August 6, 2010 at 5 p.m.

NOTE: This position is temporary, full-time at 40 hours per-week and does not include benefits.

JOB ELEMENTS INCLUDE:

• Works with and advises the city’s executive team – Mayor/Council, City Manager and Deputy City Managers regarding strategies related to the dissemination of official city information (particularly on sensitive matters) to various publics: news media, citizens, employees, businesses and other customers.
• Participates in the development of comprehensive strategies and approaches for marketing Glendale locally, regionally and nationally.
• Assesses multiple city departmental marketing needs and conceptualizes, develops, implements and manages strategic communications campaigns and projects that reach, inform and involve citizens at large and/or targeted audiences.
• Plans, develops, writes and manages production of multiple city departmental newsletters, brochures, flyers and other materials prepared for both internal and external audiences.
• Develops, implements and manages citywide special events and tourism programs, including supervision of staff and budgets.
• Participates in the development, implementation and analysis of market research related to the value and effectiveness of city services and programs.
• Writes and produces cable television programs and training and promotional videos for target markets.
• Researches and writes news releases, regional and national awards applications and articles for professional journals and publications on behalf of the Mayor/Council and city management.
• Participates in establishing public relations goals and objectives for client departments, including the production of posters, brochures, flyers and other materials prepared for both internal and external audiences.
• Serves as liaison to the media in handling inquiries, writing news releases and pro-actively “pitching” stories.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with the news media
• Writes monthly citizen and employee newsletter.
• Assists the Marketing/Communications Manager in crisis communications and issues management.
• Assists the Marketing/Communications Manager is developing and implementing marketing campaigns for city services and programs (writing brochures, etc),
• Assists the Marketing/Communications Manager in developing and implementing large projects and campaigns, and in providing communications services to city departments, the City Manager’s Office and the Mayor and Council.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing, public relations or a related field and four years experience in marketing or public relations. Preference will be given to candidates with previous government experience. Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, is qualifying.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Requires a valid Arizona driver’s license upon hire.

SELECTION PROCESS: Applications will be screened for the minimum qualifications and special requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications and special requirements will be placed on an eligibility list. Eligibility lists are active for up to six months. Human Resources reserves the right to terminate or extend the life of an eligibility list at any time. The hiring department will contact those candidates they wish to test and/or interview. DURING THE SELECTION PROCESS, ANY APPLICANT REQUIRING ACCOMMODATION FOR A DISABILITY SHOULD ADVISE THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

All candidates are subject to an extensive background check, including but not limited to, Department of Public Safety and FBI background investigations. Applicants must be truthful and accurate and avoid providing inconsistent information, incorrect dates, partial or incomplete information when completing the application and any supplemental forms. Falsifying or omitting information during any stage of the selection process, may make you ineligible for consideration or continued City employment.

PREFERENCE POINTS: If you are eligible for Employment Preference Points under Arizona Revised Statute 38-492, please complete an Employment Preference Point Form, available in Human Resources, and submit with your application.

RESUME MAY ONLY SERVE AS A SUPPLEMENT TO YOUR APPLICATION

Employment Documents

• Application Packet
• Additional Employment History Sheet (if needed)
  These documents require either Microsoft Word or Word Viewer. Microsoft Word Viewer can be downloaded free by clicking here.
• Employment Preference Points (veterans or spouses and handicapped persons) Information and Form
  This document requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded free at www.adobe.com.
• How to Apply for a Job
  Email applications to: employment@glendaleaz.com
  Fax applications to: 623-435-5347
  Faxes and emails must be received by 5 p.m. Arizona time the day the job closes.

3 job openings at The Arizona Republic

I don't know if all of these are open to outside candidates, but it certainly can't hurt to try if you're interested. They look like meaty beats for dedicated news hounds.

Remember, e-mails are firstname.lastname@arizonarepublic.com.

Lily Leung is leaving The Republic after three years in the Arrowhead newsroom to work on the newly formed watchdog team at the San Diego Union Tribune. Lily covered Surprise public safety and most recently,Surprise City Hall, making watchdog coverage her hallmark for the Surprise Republic, The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. An inaugural member of the watchdog committee, Lily also tweets and blogs daily for SurpriseInsider, a must-read for breaking news about the city and politics. Please wish Lily well in her new endeavors. Her last day with us is Aug. 4.

If you’re interested in the Surprise City Hall opening, we’re looking for a reporter with strong watchdog, enterprise and storytelling skills. Surprise has grown from 10,000 to more than 100,000 residents in little more than a decade. That rapid growth has led to issues tantalizing to journalists: a fired city manager, a police chief on leave, and two major financial missteps. The City Hall reporter must show initiative in building sources and aggressively pursue public records to get beneath the surface of meeting coverage and official public statements. The ability to report and write breaking news and enterprise for the Surprise Republic, azcentral, Valley & State and Page One is critical. You must be willing to blog daily and tweet regularly. Multimedia training will be provided. This position reports to West Valley Community Editor Venita James.

We also are adding another reporter to our Maricopa County team. We’re looking for an aggressive reporter with demonstrated ability to quickly turn sophisticated enterprise and explanatory pieces. This journalist will help cover the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the dozens of departments within the county. The reporter will work closely with county investigative reporter Yvonne Wingett to develop this beat. This reporter will be responsible for coverage areas important to the county, which may include the budget, health, environmental services, homeless issues, parks, animal control, property taxes and elections. This reporter must be able to multitask. He or she will have to juggle long-range stories with breaking news, and write for multiple platforms – Page One and Valley & State, azcentral.com, our political blog and Twitter and Facebook. The reporter must be a team player, willing to work closely with other reporters who cover Maricopa County, the Sheriff's Office and the County Attorney's Office. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who has a proven track record of excellent beat management and source development, demonstrated a devotion to watchdog journalism and displayed strong writing skills. Previous experience covering state or local government is a plus. Maricopa County, the fourth-largest county in the United States based on population, has about 13,000 employees. This position reports to State and County Editor Christina Leonard.

In addition, we are going to add a Phoenix public safety position. This is more than a police beat, though the primary agencies being covered are Phoenix police and fire departments. The job entails covering major crimes, fires, disasters in Phoenix for the Metro desk, but also identifying and writing about important crime and public safety trends in Phoenix, examining public policy developments that affect public safety, probing administrative and bureaucratic problems within the public-safety agencies, keeping a finger on the pulse of city residents as it relates to crime and public safety concerns, and working closely with public safety reporters in the community newsrooms on stories with Valleywide implications. A key requirement for this position is the ability to write big-picture stories quickly and succinctly and a nose for watchdog coverage. Experience doing data-driven analysis is a plus. This position reports to Metro night editor Vinton Supplee. Hours will be roughly 10 am - 6 pm M-F.

If you’re interested in any of these positions, notify Local News Center Director Cherrill Crosby by the end of day, Monday, Aug. 2, with links to no more than eight of your best stories in the past two years and a letter explaining why you should be considered and what you would bring to the job.