Staff Writer - Smoke Signals **UPDATED**

Job Summary:

Provides reporting and general news writing and occasional photography for the bi-monthly Tribal newspaper, Smoke Signals. Covers a variety of Tribal and community events, meetings and activities for the Publications Office. Provides support for the Publications Office to ensure the efficient, timely and accurate delivery of program services.

Essential Functions:

• Covers and reports on assigned local and state stories for Tribal newspaper.
• Writes and takes occasional photos for general news articles on issues affecting the Tribal community and Indian Country as it relates to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
• Establishes and maintains contacts with Tribal government, staff and others concerning current news.
• Conducts interviews for assigned news and general stories.
• Writes photo captions.
• Types occasional submissions to Smoke Signals.
• Submits travel forms, requisition forms, reimbursement requests and timesheets.
• Greets customers, answers telephones, and responds to requests.
• Proofreads documents and verifies accuracy.
• Operates a variety of office equipment: computer, printer, fax, copier, camera, tape recorder, etc.
• Schedules and processes work requests and maintenance service issues, equipment malfunctions and other needs.
• Enters, tracks and retrieves data.
• Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education, Experience, and Licenses:

• Requires an associate degree in journalism, communications or related field of work and two (2) years of consistent journalistic work experience, preferably in a college or professional newsroom; or a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or related field.
• Submission of a portfolio of work is required.
• OR equivalent combination of training and experience.

Driving Requirements:

• Must maintain a valid Oregon driver's license or obtain one upon hire, qualify for the Tribe's vehicle insurance, and provide proof of personal vehicle insurance.

Qualifications, Registrations, and Certifications:

• Demonstrated experience in maintaining confidentiality required.
• Working knowledge of photography equipment, scanner, word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software required.
• Excellent communication skills, listening, verbal & written skills and excellent interaction and interpersonal skills required.
• Strong commitment to task, accuracy, problem solving, initiative, organizational skills, attention to detail, and integrity required.
• Requires discretion, courtesy and tact, involving contacts with employees, clients, and other visitors.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to Native American culture is required.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Continually requires the ability to express or receive detailed information or important instructions through oral communication.
• Continually requires working with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm. Requires repetitive movement of wrists, hands and/or fingers. Often requires walking or moving about to accomplish tasks.
• Requires standing and/or sitting for sustained periods of time, raising objects from a lower to a higher position and/or moving objects horizontally.
• Occasionally requires lifting of up to 40 pounds.
• Due to the nature of the interactions with other employees and the public we serve, employees may be required to provide documentation of, or receive, certain health vaccinations.
• This position is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions which provide protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is occasionally subject to outside environmental conditions.
• May be called upon to serve as a Disaster Reservist during emergencies.
• Local travel within our six-county service area on a regular basis is required. Travel outside of the state is infrequently required.
• Must be able to work a flexible work schedule in order to meet department deadlines and attend Tribal/Community events.

Background Check:

• Candidates for this position will be subject to criminal and character background checks and may be subject to fingerprinting.

Disclaimer:

The individual must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately without causing a significant safety threat to self or others. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified.

All positions are located in the greater Grand Ronde area unless specifically noted otherwise.

If you have questions or need more info, please call: 1-800-422-0232 x-2109

Application materials must be received in Human Resources by 5pm on the closing date.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS ARE DEFINED AS:

• Grand Ronde Tribal members
• Spouse of a Grand Ronde Tribal member
• Parent or legal guardian of Grand Ronde Tribal member children.
• Current Regular Employee, past their six-month introductory period, receiving at least a "meets expectations" on most recent performance evaluation and not under disciplinary action or performance improvement within the previous six months.

For individuals that meet the minimum qualifications:

AN INTERVIEW WILL BE GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING RANKING ORDER:

1. Grand Ronde Tribal members.
   a. (Qualified Grand Ronde Tribal members who show they meet the minimum qualifications of the position during the course of the interview process will be given first consideration for hire and the recruitment process will end)
2. Tribal member spouses, parents and/or legal guardians of Grand Ronde Tribal member children and current regular employees.