KPBS South Bay/ Imperial Valley Reporter I

Overview

The salary range for this position is $31.45- $36.31 per hour ($65,416 - $75,525 per year) depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable. 

This recruitment will close on 3/24/2025 at 4:00pm (PST) 

This position is part of the SAG-AFTRA bargaining unit with KPBS.

KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining and educational television, radio, and digital programming.  KPBS TV/FM is the public television and radio station for San Diego.  Licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS supports and furthers the university’s educational and community service mission by informing, enlightening and empowering its audience.  It does so not only by presenting national and locally produced programming of value to its San Diego audience, but also by producing programming about San Diego and its people for distribution nationwide.

Communities in the South Bay/Imperial Valley regions have long been news deserts that do not receive the attention they deserve. They are in great need of accountability news coverage on institutions and issues that impact residents’ lives. The people of South Bay/Imperial County also deserve stories that highlight their histories and rich cultural diversity.

The  South Bay/Imperial Valley Reporter will advance coverage of institutions in South Bay and Imperial County, along with the myriad issues facing the two regions. They include: environment/climate change, public safety, politics, homelessness, good governance, industry and development. This reporter will dig deep to hold policymakers and stakeholders accountable for their roles and empower individuals with information to help themselves. The reporter will also produce stories that highlight the history and cultural diversity of the regions. Cultivating the beat is important, but all KPBS reporters will occasionally work outside their beats, or conversely team up on their beats, as the news merits.

At the direction of the News Director, under the supervision of the Investigations/Digital Fellowship Editor and in coordination with other members of the News Division, the South Bay/Imperial Valley reporter will work to build the reporting beat and set achievable goals. By informing and delighting audiences with compelling journalism, this position will work to consistently produce and publish news to serve today’s discerning audiences. 

Additional KPBS news beats include health, arts and culture, border, education, military, racial justice and social equity, along with investigations.  The South Bay/Imperial Valley reporter will produce news stories that may cross beats at the assignment of the News Editor, that can be distributed on KPBS radio, TV, KPBS.org, KPBS social and mobile platforms. The news stories will be produced in formats such as, but not limited to, audio spots, in-depth audio features, video packages, video features, multimedia projects and special reports as assigned. 

The South Bay/Imperial Valley Reporter may be assigned to help fill in for other newsroom positions, such as anchoring newscasts or midday producing, and appear as a guest or host on KPBS TV and radio programs.  The reporter will produce local content and prepare final productions that can be distributed on all KPBS platforms.

The reporter is expected to participate in station on-air fundraising activities, and make appearances for KPBS community building events and other public relations activities.

Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff perks, weekly farmer's market, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.
• Hybrid schedule/ remote work flexibility options (varies by position)
• 10 vacation days, 1 personal day & 13 holidays off (4 days off over winter break)
• Enjoy a 'beautiful day in the neighborhood' with local employee discounts
• Opportunity drawings to attend SDSU basketball games, local concerts and events
• Discounts on local attractions (theme parks, entertainment, restaurants, memberships)
• Free wellness classes & programs
• Staff pop-up events
• Full benefits packages that are unmatched (medical, dental, vision, life)
• Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
• On-site childcare at a discounted rate (based on availability)
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development
• Flexible spending account(s)
• Employee assistance program
• Matching and voluntary retirement savings plan

Responsibilities

The following information is intended to be representative of the work performed by incumbents in this position and is not all-inclusive.  The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of position responsibilities. Job descriptions may be changed at any time based on the needs of the department.

News Reporting and Producing (80%)

• Provide news content: spot news, feature reports, cut and copy, live debrief, tape talk, field packages, photos, video, audio, blog posts, and newscasts.  The primary flow of work will be to start a story online, shoot video on the topic and edit it or work in partnership with a videographer for longer pieces as needed, and move the gathered content across all news platforms.
• Follow the KPBS Strategic Plan and Editorial Vision at the direction of the News Editor.
• Research topics, analyze data, develop contacts and interview sources, maintain notes and broadcast recordings, write and edit reports, produce and voice reports for air, and work with a production unit to produce radio, TV and multimedia productions.
• Report stories in appropriate forms for online and broadcast (live on-air, copy, actuality, cut & copy, voicer, wrap, feature, series, documentary, feature follow, studio two-way, radio, TV, etc.).
• Create content through excellent storytelling and high journalistic standards.

Planning (15%)

• Read and follow major developments on stories, and especially on issues covered in the past.  
• Maintain contact lists and files for on-going continuity of coverage and accumulation of knowledge.
• Brainstorm beat-specific story ideas with other reporters, supervisor and producers of radio, television, public affairs, and digital platforms.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned (5%) 

• Attend meetings, represent the station at public events, responsibility for appropriate record keeping, correspondence, phone calls, supplies and equipment, and other duties as assigned.  

Qualifications

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and work in journalism or related field.

Minimum Experience

• Two years of progressively responsible or related experience as a reporter.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrated excellence in basic news judgment and an understanding of journalism ethics.
• Ability to write broadcast scripts and/or web stories. 
• An understanding of proper news style (including AP style), structure and grammar.
• Ability to voice for TV/radio. 
• Ability to do (and/or ability/willingness to learn how to do) TV stand-ups/live shots. 
• Demonstrated Audio and/or video editing skills. 
• Ability to shoot/record/edit audio/video for radio & TV platforms.
• Ability to build, develop, and maintain sources.
• Knowledge of and/or willingness and ability to obtain knowledge of institutions/communities throughout San Diego & Imperial counties and/or on their assigned beat.
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic computer skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic photography skills and the ability to capture images for digital story illustration. 
• Ability to use and maintain (and/or ability and willingness to learn) field cameras and related equipment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and students.
• Ability to think creatively about topics and story angles and generate engaging story ideas.
• Knowledge of and adherence to high ethical standards.
• Knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and AP Style.
• Ability to meet deadlines, handle multiple stories at once, and shift gears quickly.
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts.
• Proven ability to consistently work well with editors and station colleagues, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at KPBS and within the public broadcasting system.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to work in breaking news situations.
• Ability to commute and visit offsite locations to find and interview sources as well as to attend various events relevant to the pursuit and delivery of stories.

Preferred Qualifications and Special Skills

• Advanced degree, preferably in journalism or beat-related field(s).
• Fluency in a  language in addition to English, e.g. Spanish, in order to connect to San Diego’s diverse communities.
• Expertise in analyzing data to find story trends.
• Track record of accountability-driven journalism, including filing FOIA’s and/or PRA’s.
• Experience using engagement tools such as Hearken.
• Demonstrated skills in using video and audio recording equipment, still cameras, and audio and video editing software.
• Ability to successfully engage audiences via social media.
• Experience in digital production, including still photography.
• Journalistic experience on multiple platforms including digital, video and audio reporting.
• Journalistic experience in public radio or television.
• Possess some knowledge of current San Diego and regional issues.

Additional Applicant Information 

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law. 
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.  

Salary : $65,416 - $75,525