The AJC is looking for a new conservative columnist. Could it be you?

The AJC is looking for a new conservative columnist. The deadline has passed for people to submit information to be considered for the position. We’re in the process of looking through candidate information. Thanks for the great response.

We’ll update you as we move along.

Here’s what we’ve posted in the past about the position:

Dear Readers,

Newspapers serve many important roles. We report on the most important stories in our market, we publish the top news from around the region, nation and world, and we present information that helps you make wiser decisions about how to invest your time and money.

Every day, in our @issue opinion pages, we also publish commentary, analysis and opinions from our editorial columnists and your neighbors. Our opinion pages serve as a public forum for differing views and lively debate.

For more than 20 years, one of the most well-read columns on our opinion pages has been written by Jim Wooten, our conservative columnist. After a long and distinguished career, Jim will be leaving the editorial board, effective June 30.

Fortunately, Jim will continue to contribute to the AJC. Beginning July 1, he will write his “Thinking Right” column once a week, and he will continue his blog on ajc.com.

In light of the reduced frequency of Jim’s column, the AJC will select a new full-time conservative columnist. We feel it’s important that we continue to represent a broad spectrum of voices on our opinion pages.

One of the hallmarks of our @issue pages is our commitment to welcoming letters, guest columns and other contributions from the public. Our pages are enriched by the involvement of our readers. In keeping with that spirit, we have decided to broaden the selection pool for this new position by opening it to the general public. We hope this encourages strong voices from the conservative community to join the candidate pool.

Interested candidates may review selection criteria and submit their information below. Candidates will be accepted through Feb. 1. In early February, we expect to review all submissions and select a group of candidates for further rounds of review. We plan to publish the work of the finalists and invite readers to share their comments in late February. We will consider reader feedback when selecting the new columnist, whom we anticipate announcing in mid-March.

So, if you have a conservative perspective on social and fiscal issues, can write persuasively on diverse topics and are eager to develop fresh, thought-provoking columns and blog postings, please see below to learn more.

As the process moves forward, we will provide periodic updates in our editorial pages and at ajc.com/opinion. If you have questions, please feel free to e-mail Matt Kempner, our public editor.

Thank you,

Julia Wallace

Editor

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Are you the right person for this job?

Our new columnist will be responsible for:

• Research and writing to produce an original column for the print AJC three times a week.

• Producing daily postings for an online blog.

• Serving on the AJC’s editorial board, including taking part in discussions about positions the editorial board will take.

Our expectation is that the columnist will begin writing for us as soon as possible after they are chosen for the position.

Compensation will be commensurate with the person’s qualifications.

Selection Criteria:

• Persuasive, engaging conservative voice on both social and fiscal issues.

• Proven experience as a strong writer able to produce clean, clear, persuasive, original copy on deadline.

• Ability to build a loyal following in print and online.

• Ability and commitment to write on diverse topics.

• Knowledge of metro Atlanta, Georgia and national issues (approx. 60 percent of columns will be on metro Atlanta/Georgia issues) and commitment to being deeply informed on the issues in a timely manner.

• Ability to generate fresh, informed, thought-provoking content with a distinctive voice three times a week in a print/online column and daily in an online blog.

• Ability to do original reporting, develop new sources and think critically to support columns that merge opinion with news.

• Respect for, knowledge of and commitment to journalistic ethics, including avoiding conflicts of interest and perceptions of conflicts of interest.

• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate and debate with @issue colleagues who share different opinions.

• Ability to produce work that meets the standards of the AJC.

• Ability to speak to and interact with the public, including speaking before large groups.

• Strong experience with blogging preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

The deadline to submit information for this position has passed. No further submissions are being accepted at this time. Thank you for your interest.

In light of the volume of interest in this position, we will only contact those candidates selected to advance to the next round of consideration.

If a match is found between your qualifications and the position requirements, we anticipate contacting you no later than Feb. 15, 2009.