Not the Silicon Prairie News team although arguably just as exciting and fun as the Silicon Prairie News team (but this group is much larger). Photo from Big Omaha 2010 Opening Party, taken by Malone & Company.

A few weeks ago, I published an “Editor’s Notebook” post recapping the previous week’s content on Silicon Prairie News. In the post I made the admission that due to time and resource contraints we had dropped the ball on a number of stories from the previous week (see: Editor’s Notebook: The week that was…). Week after week, this continues to be the case – our community is sending us more new leads, pitches, and ideas than ever before, and we’re grateful for it. (And please keep it up: email info@siliconprairienews.com.)

With that in mind, it’s time for us to make our second full-time hire: Silicon Prairie News Editor.

I’ll continue to serve as managing editor, taking the lead and responsibility on the stories we publish, but we’re looking for someone to join our staff to be 100% dedicated to content production and copy editing. Journalism grads and accidental journalists, this position if for you.

Above all, we’re looking for an excellent writer to tell compelling stories and keep on top of breaking news. Our focus is on our region’s tech industry and the entrepreneurs and creatives that make it up. We’re excited about announcing the next great web app and can’t wait to publish the story that it’s been funded, acquired, sold, or better yet, they themselves have acquired another startup. We have a professional approach but we’re a blog at our roots so our writing is sometimes informal (such as first-person narrative) and we occasionally share our points-of-view. We subscribe to the school of thought that transparency is the new objectivity. We use the tools of blogging to the best of our abilities, but we know we have much room to grow.

In this era when many are worried about the future of journalism, we have an optimistic view. We’re still in the process of building a sustainable model and we’re working hard at it. We proudly consider ourselves a startup like the ones we cover.

If you or someone you know comes to mind for this position, please follow the instructions below or forward this on to that individual. We’ll be taking applications beginning today and we’ll make the hire as soon as we find the best candidate.

Here are the full details of the opportunity:

Editor – Full-time

Silicon Prairie News interviews the region’s leading entrepreneurs and creatives, reports on startups and established companies, announces events and produces its own events, such as Big Omaha each May.

The Editor will be responsible for writing 15 posts each week and working daily with the managing editor on the content schedule. This individual should be ready to cover a fast-paced industry and be willing to work at odd hours in order to write a story, cover an event, or attend a party (we occasionally throw our own parties, too).

While at work, you’ll have access to our fridge for free lunches and unlimited soda and juice (tell us what you like and we’ll pick it up). There’s also shelves stocked with snacks and a foosball table and dart board that are great for breaks. We don’t operate out of your traditional newsroom, but then again we’re not your traditional news outlet.

Note: Individual need not currently reside in Omaha but must be willing to relocate to Omaha (moving expenses not covered).

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in journalism or three years experience as a journalist
• Excellent writing and communication skills as well as a respect for AP style
• Interest in entrepreneurship, tech industry and future of journalism
• Quick learner (background in tech industry or business not mandatory, but ability to quickly pick up on jargon is a must)
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit
• Stellar community engagement skills
• Familiarity with photography, video, and editing software of both is a plus

Responsibilities

• Content leads and schedule
• Profile pieces on entrepreneurs, creatives, startups and established companies
• Features and special series
• Event announcements and recaps
• Product announcements and updates
• Data entry

Compensation & Perks

• Full-time salary with monthly benefit stipend
• Use of MacBook Pro
• Use of Magic Mouse (it really is magical)
• Lunch
• Company Outings, such as our First Friday Lunches

If interested, contact Danny Schreiber at danny@siliconprairienews.com with an email no longer than 350 words indicating why you feel you would be a good fit, the reasons you want to be involved, and links or attachments to the three best pieces of your past professional or personal work. Also, list the three blogs you read the most. Please attach your resume.