Are you interested in joining one of the largest independent, student-run newspapers in the country? The Alligator is looking for its next team of reporters, editors, photographers and more to move the newspaper forward.
The Alligator’s alumni have positions, fellowships and professional internships at The New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Orlando Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, The Palm Beach Post and more. Our alumni also includes at least four subsequent Pulitzer Prize Winners. The first two New York Times fellowships at UF were given to back-to-back Alligator editor-in-chiefs.
Because of restrictions brought about by COVID-19, The Alligator will operate remotely for most of the Fall. A majority of communications will take place over Zoom, including weekly staff meetings on Sundays. We expect all staff members to social distance and conduct their journalism safely. This means that interviews will be conducted over phone or video conference.
We’re excited to announce several new reporting positions this semester and bring back a regular opinions section. Some of our additions to our staff are a K-12 education reporter, East Gainesville reporter and business reporter. These positions were made to elevate and expand our reporting on the Gainesville and North Florida area.
We have reduced our print production from three times a week in the previous Fall semester to once a week, as of now. This does not mean our staff will work less than in previous Fall semesters. We are a digital-first newsroom and will produce daily engaging online content, especially since the majority of our audience will access The Alligator online.
Alligator reporters regularly cover high-profile, national events. Over the course of 2020, they’ve been instrumental in providing daily, in-depth coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ve covered white supremacist Richard Spencer’s speech at UF and the Women’s March in D.C. They’ve investigated sexual violence on campus, including a story about a university professor who was not fired but allowed to resign after he had been accused of sexual assault and inappropriate relationships with multiple women. Reporters have also completed an ambitious project about the racial and socioeconomic divide in Gainesville. The Alligator’s work has been referenced in national outlets such as CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Being part of The Alligator staff also connects students to a large and diverse distinguished alumni network. Our alumni work at many of the same national, local and regional newsrooms mentioned, study at Harvard Law School and start public relations firms. Hundreds of successful journalists, authors, writers and more have started their careers at The Alligator, and we hope to continue that tradition.
Application tips from the editor-in-chief
-
All applications are due at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 14.
-
Please submit one application per section (for example, you can apply to be an editor, a staff writer and a photographer, but don't do two applications if you want to apply for two reporting positions) and declare your preferences in the Google Form.
-
Submit your Google Form and don’t forget to send over your resume, clips and class schedule to editor-in-chief Kyle Wood (kwood@alligator.org) if you don’t submit via the form.
-
Only submit three to five of your best clips.
-
If you're applying to a multimedia position, submit or send us your portfolio.
-
Pay attention to your grammar and our directions. Read everything twice.
-
Let us know if you have any questions or concerns at kwood@alligator.org.
Editor Applications
Click HERE to apply.
Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 14. We recommend that you apply well before the deadline.
University Editor
The university editor will lead The Alligator’s coverage on all things related to the University of Florida. This editor will manage the general assignment reporter, Student Government reporter, the university administration reporter, a news assistant and edit contributor stories focused on the university. The Alligator is looking for someone who is organized, passionate and committed to watching over the powers of the university administration and Student Government. This editor will edit stories for The Alligator’s weekly print product and daily online content. Stories assigned and edited should range from daily to enterprise stories. Alligator staff writer or editor experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: About $55 a week
Metro Editor
The metro editor will lead The Alligator’s coverage of Gainesville, Alachua County and Santa Fe College. This person will manage and edit the general assignment reporter, criminal justice reporter, city/county commission reporter, education reporter, east Gainesville reporter, a news assistant and metro-related contributor stories. Stories assigned and edited should range from daily to enterprise stories. The Alligator is looking for someone creative, organized and determined to learn about the Gainesville community. This editor should be prepared to look for interesting and nuanced angles in local stories. The metro editor will edit stories for The Alligator’s weekly print schedule and daily online content. Alligator staff writer or editor experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: About $55 a week
Enterprise Editor
The enterprise editor will be responsible for assigning and editing long-form stories and investigations for every week’s Feature Friday. These stories are typically 1,000 words or more and the editor would work with the writer through the reporting and editing process for the story. The enterprise editor would oversee The Alligator’s investigative reporter, politics reporters, health reporter and business reporter. This editor must be ambitious and organized. This editor also talks often to the multimedia editor about incorporating video, photos, graphics and data visualizations into the story. We’re looking for someone with previous long-form writing and investigative experience who is creative about story ideas, working around reporting challenges and is experimental in writing. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: About $55 a week
Multimedia Editor
The multimedia editor is responsible for working with photographers and illustrators to provide multimedia content for the newspaper and The Alligator website. The editor is responsible for producing some media content while assigning daily and enterprise photo and video assignments for staff photographers and videographers. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about multimedia and is willing to collaborate with reporters to create content. Journalism and communications majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: About $55 per week
The Avenue Editor (Entertainment Editor)
The Avenue editor is responsible for maintaining the entertainment section of the Alligator, choosing writers to work for the section as well as editing any work that is sent in. The Alligator is looking for someone with creative ideas who is in tune with local and national entertainment and pop culture. This position is flexible, but the editor must be present in Zoom meetings every Sunday night. Previous Avenue or entertainment writing experience is preferred but not required. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student. All majors are encouraged to apply.
Pay: About $30 per week
Copy Desk Chief
Copy desk chiefs are responsible for running the copy desk and selecting and working with copy editors. Copy desk chiefs are in charge of proofreading every story and print pages with copy editors to check for factual errors, grammar and AP style. This person will work one print night remotely. Prior experience on copy desk preferred but not required. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student. All majors are encouraged to apply.
Pay: About $15 per shift
Opinions Editor
The Alligator is bringing back a regular opinions section for the fall semester. The section editor is responsible for maintaining the opinions section of The Alligator, choosing columnists and cartoonists to work for the section and editing any work that is sent in. The opinions editor is also responsible for consulting with the editor-in-chief and managing editors and writing editorials for the print paper. There will be an emphasis on seeking out diverse opinion pieces from public figures and concerned citizens in and around Gainesville and the UF community. Columnist and editing experience is preferred but not required. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: About $30 per week.
Reporter Applications
Click HERE to apply.
Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 14. We recommend that you apply well before the deadline.
University Administration Reporter
This reporter is responsible for remotely attending the University of Florida Board of Trustees meetings and writing about updates, changes or announcements dealing with the UF administration. This reporter is also encouraged to dig into demographics of UF faculty, staff and students. Some previous stories done by this beat reporter include UF changing graduation procedures, university negotiations with Graduate Assistants United and the fierce debate over blue lights on fraternity row. This reporter will be assigned stories related to this beat by the university editor but should also pitch their own daily and feature story ideas. This reporter will be expected to write an average of three to five stories per week and at least one enterprise or “Feature Friday” story per semester. Previous contributing writing experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
University General Assignment Reporter
These reporters will be the jack-of-all-trades in the newsroom. They’ll cover any UF-related breaking news and stories. They’ll be led by the university editor, who will teach them how to quickly write briefs and breaking news. They’ll also learn the basics of reporting in a multimedia age across digital platforms. These reporters will be expected to write daily briefs, 2-4 stories per week and at least one enterprise or “Feature Friday” story per semester. Previous contributing writing experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
Student Government Reporter
This reporter is the sole watchdog of UF’s Student Government, which has a more than $20 million budget funded by student fees. This reporter will be responsible for remotely attending weekly Tuesday night Senate meetings, so applicants’ class schedule should not overlap. Previously, this reporter has covered national news such as UF’s Student Body President-elect being arrested and the UF Student Body President’s impeachment resolution in addition to impactful enterprise such as reporting on no UF SG legislation being passed by the end of the semester. This reporter will be assigned stories related to this beat by the university editor but will also be encouraged to pitch their own daily and feature story ideas. This reporter will be expected to write an average of three to five stories per week and at least one enterprise or “Feature Friday” story per semester. Previous staff writer and/or contributing writing experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
Metro General Assignment Reporter
These reporters will be the jack-of-all-trades in the newsroom. They’ll cover breaking news alongside any metro and community story. They’ll be led by the metro editor, who will teach them how to quickly write briefs and breaking news. They’ll also learn the basics of reporting in a multimedia age across digital platforms. This reporter will also have a focus on covering Santa Fe College events and news. These reporters will be expected to write daily briefs, 2-4 stories per week and at least one enterprise or “Feature Friday” story per semester. Previous contributing writing experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
City and County Commission Reporter
This reporter will be a watchdog of the Gainesville and Alachua County commissions. This reporter will be responsible for looking at the agenda for commission meetings and pre-reporting stories important to the community prior. The reporter will attend these meetings remotely to hear out the results of such agenda items, talk to local leaders and write on deadline. This reporter will also be in charge of covering local races and writing candidate profiles. Other general stories pertaining to the growth of the area or its needs will be assigned. This reporter is expected to write 3-5 stories per week and at least one enterprise or “Feature Friday” story per semester. This reporter should have a flexible Thursday schedule to be able to attend the remote commission meetings. Previous contributing or staff writing experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
Criminal Justice Reporter
This reporter is responsible for covering breaking news and writing about crime on the UF campus and in the Gainesville community. The reporter is expected to write enterprise stories about criminal justice, public safety, prisons and courts and at least three enterprise or feature stories per semester. This reporter will keep up with local breaking news, including serious car crashes that affect traffic and UF Alerts. The crime reporter will learn how to search court records, request arrest reports and contact law enforcement. The reporter is expected to write beyond an arrest report and become an expert in all things criminal justice. Stories can range from following up with a court case on a UF resident assistant accused of sexual assault to writing about an on-campus scuffle over a “Make America Great Again” hat. Reporters will also be expected to cover at least one court case this semester. This reporter is expected to respond quickly to breaking news, remotely attend law enforcement press conferences and update developing stories. This reporter should have a sharp eye for detail, enterprise and compassion when speaking to victims and their families. Previous contributing or staff writing experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
East Gainesville Reporter (new)
The East Gainesville community has long been underserved in many ways. Distant from the development clusters near I-75 and UF’s campus, East Gainesville does not receive the same coverage that UF communities do. The Alligator has reported on housing, food deserts and community programs as part of special projects in the past. To ensure this reporting remains constant and the community no longer goes undercovered, we created a beat to cover the area.
This reporter is expected to develop and maintain contacts with community leaders and report on development in the area. Coverage may overlap with other beats including education, business and health. Preference may be given to reporters who are from the Gainesville area or who have lived in Gainesville for years. Previous staff writing experience is preferred but not required. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
K-12 Education Reporter (new)
This reporter will cover the Alachua County school district, board and all topics pertaining to education in North Florida. This reporter will cover the reopening of public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, school board decisions and more. Educators, parents and students have expressed great concern about the health and safety of those returning in-person, the quality of education for those online and more. It’s important for this reporter to dive deep into this beat and write in-depth enterprise stories about all angles of Alachua County’s education while covering any workshops, meetings, protests, lawsuits and more. Florida education is one of the forefront topics during the COVID-19 pandemic, and news is constantly breaking. This reporter must have a thorough knowledge of education, be able to pitch and pursue original ideas and be fast, skilled and prepared for any and every story. Previous contributing or staff writing experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
Investigative Reporter
This reporter will work on longer projects that would have an impact on the university community and Gainesville. This reporter will write in-depth stories around 1,000 words or longer. These stories are expected to take longer, but some quick turnaround may be expected. We’re looking for someone with an eye for enterprise stories, filing public records requests and sorting and interpreting data. Last year, staff writers filed investigative stories on sexual violence at UF, including a story on a university professor who was accused of sexual assault and inappropriate relationships with multiple women. Previous staff writer and/or contributing writing experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $15 or more per story that appears in print.
2020 National Election Reporter (new)
This reporter is responsible for reporting on the 2020 presidential election and localizing it to campus, Gainesville and Alachua County. They will look at polling data and trends and synthesize information for readers. This reporter will also cover minority groups on campus and around Gainesville, their thoughts on the election and how they might influence results for the general election in November. This reporter may also occasionally cover local representatives and senators in the U.S. Congress. We’re looking for someone with an eye for enterprise, creativity and preferably some political writing experience. Previous staff writer and/or contributing writing experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
State Politics Reporter (new)
This reporter will be localizing and writing enterprise stories about Florida legislation, politics, executive orders and more. This reporter will localize bills and policy changes that impact campus and Gainesville. This role will require keeping up with all things related to the Florida Capitol and North Florida elected officials. For this new position, we’re looking for someone with an eye for enterprise, creativity and preferably some political writing experience. Previous staff writer and/or contributing writing experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
Health Reporter (new)
Health has been at the forefront of our coverage since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A health reporter would join our team as someone who focuses on how the pandemic affects Alachua County in the fall and the return to college for thousands of students in Gainesville. In this new position, the reporter would cover COVID cases in Alachua County, UF Health Shands Hospital and related university health administrations, trends in cases, the effect the virus has on university communities, health care resources and safety guidance, how medical communities are responding and public health measures being taken. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
Business Reporter (new)
The reporter in this new position would cover news in Alachua County’s business community. Coronavirus-focused business news would include coverage of PPP loans and the return to business with students returning to Gainesville. Coverage would include the local business community, the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, business inspections, tech, real estate tourism and more. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Students with concentrations in business also preferred. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
News Assistant(s)
News assistants will be the first people who our desk editors go to when a breaking news story happens and a staff writer needs backup. These positions allow The Alligator to bring in more people willing to work and learn who may not have the same experience as a staff writer. News assistants will learn how to pitch, write and pursue their own stories. They’ll be expected to write one to three stories per week. Previous contributing writing experience is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $5 for each story that appears in print. $2.50 per online-only stories and briefs.
Multimedia Applications
Click HERE to apply.
Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 14. We recommend that you apply well before the deadline.
Photographers
Photographers capture the details stories cannot tell on their own. Through speeches, protests, features, sports and daily events on campus, photographers are on the front lines to preserve the history of the community. Photographers are expected to take three to four photos a week that would accompany daily stories and also take photos for the “Feature Friday.” Photographers are also required to complete at least one photo story per month. Although a photographer’s priority is to shoot photos, knowing how to shoot and edit video is also recommended. Photographers will also be required to produce at least one enterprise feature photo story and accompanying video per semester. This could stand alone or complement an ongoing “Feature Friday.” Previous contributing experience is preferred but not required. Photojournalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: About $5 per assignment.
Podcast Producer and Host
This producer will be in charge of planning and producing at least one bi-weekly episode of an Alligator news podcast and interviewing reporters, editors, sources and more to give students an in-depth look at how stories are produced. This would provide a different way for students to consume The Alligator’s news on-the-go and contribute to the expansion of our digital products. This producer should be creative, have skills in recording and editing audio and working with a Spotify or Apple system. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: About $10 per episode.
Visualization Producer
The graphic designer will be a visual communicator to make it easy and fun for readers to interpret hard-hitting stories. This position is aimed at pushing our digital and online content further. Flexible applicants are preferred, but the graphic designer and data visualizer can work at their leisure. The Alligator is looking for someone who would seize the opportunity to get creative and have their work published. Knowledge of data visualizations, graphics, Adobe programs, coding and an eye for great design are pluses. We’d love someone who can also code unique story packages. Journalism and communications majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply, especially those with a computer science background. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: About $10 per assignment.
Graphic Designer/Illustrator
The illustrator will be tasked with producing drawings that will be used on social media, in print and online when accompanying stories or current events. The illustrator will be relied on to produce content at least three times a week, and will submit all their work to the multimedia editor. Preference will be given to those with prior experience using Adobe Illustrator. Applicants must submit two to five examples of their work to kwood@alligator.org by 11:59 p.m. on April 28. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $5 per assignment
El Caimán Applications
Click HERE to apply.
Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 14. We recommend that you apply well before the deadline.
El Caimán Editor
The editor of El Caimán will be responsible for The Alligator’s Spanish section. They will oversee the translation of stories and assign stories aimed to cover the issues that matter to the Spanish-speaking community. The editor of El Caimán will choose which articles from The Alligator’s coverage should be translated to best fit the interests of the Spanish-speaking community. We’re looking for someone with previous experience reporting news in Spanish and someone who is familiar with the Spanish-speaking community in Gainesville. This editor will track stories being translated and original content for the section. This editor must be organized and passionate about covering news for the Spanish-speaking community and delivering it in creative ways. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: About $55 a week
Translator
This translator will be responsible for translating stories and visual content from The Alligator’s coverage to El Caimán. Experience in covering news in Spanish is preferred but not required. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $5 per story that appears in print. $2.50 per online-only stories and briefs.
Reporter
This reporter will work on original stories for El Caimán and serve the Spanish-speaking community of Gainesville. This reporter should be familiar with the community and the issues that members of the community care about. We’re looking for someone with experience covering news for the spanish-speaking community in Gainesville. Journalism majors are preferred, but all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a current UF or Santa Fe College student.
Pay: $10 per story that appears in print. $5 per online-only stories and briefs.
