Kpbs General Assignment Reporter I Or Ii

Overview
Classification Range: RI: $31.45 - $38.25/hr and RII: $33.19 - $40.16/hr
Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $31.45per hour for Reporter I and $33.19per hour for Reporter II.
Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department's fiscal resources.
KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining and educational television, radio, and web 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
The General Assignment reporter covers news of local relevance and often national significance across all KPBS beats, as directed. The reporter works collaboratively with beat reporters, and at the direction of the News Editor. The reporter also works with videojournalists, senior producers and other members of the News Department and KPBS.
The KPBS General Assignment Reporter takes complex concepts and fashions them into accessible and compelling stories. These stories will be carefully grounded in facts, but can still be playful or moving as the subject matter requires. The successful reporter consistently pitches original, enterprise stories.
KPBS news beats are, but not exclusive to, arts & culture, border, education, environment, health, investigative, metro, military and racial justice & social equity.
The reporter pitches daily and feature news stories, or is assigned stories by the editors, that can be distributed on KPBS radio, TV, KPBS.org, KPBS social networking and KPBS mobile. The news stories will be produced in formats for radio newscasts, in-depth radio features, TV packages, multimedia projects and special reports as pitched or assigned. The reporter works closely with online producers and editors to create original content in support of beat reporting.
The Reporter may be assigned to anchor radio newscasts, and appear as a guest or host on KPBS TV and radio programs. The Reporter is expected to participate in station on-air fundraising activities, and make appearances for KPBS community engagement events and other public relations activities.
This position is within the SAG-AFTRA bargaining unit.
Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff discounts, farmer's market Tuesday's, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment
• Hybrid schedule/ remote work flexibility options (varies by job)
• Casual work attire
• Paid time off on your birthday (can be taken on any day)
• 10 vacation days and 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
• Monthly pop-up events for staff
• Full benefits packages that are unmatched (medical, dental, vision, life)
• Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
• On-site childcare at a discounted rate
• 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%)

• KPBS News Reporters have a bevy of options to employ when providing 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.
• At the direction of the News Director, follow the KPBS Strategic Plan and Editorial Vision.
• 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, studio two-way, radio, TV, etc.)
• Prioritize high journalistic standards through storytelling

Planning (15%)

• Read and follow major developments on general 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 reporters, supervisor and producers of radio, television, public affairs, and digital platforms.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned (5%)

• Fill in for one other position in the newsroom as needed
• 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
Education

• Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field; additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis

Experience: Level I

• Two years of progressively responsible full-time professional experience as a reporter, along with basic news judgment, understanding of journalism ethics and the ability to swiftly and accurately report breaking news on all platforms.

Experience: Level II

• Five years of progressively responsible or related full-time professional experience as a reporter; experience in journalism along with basic news judgment, understanding of journalism ethics and ability to swiftly and accurately report breaking news on all platforms (audio, video and web).

Knowledge and Abilities: Level I

• Demonstrated excellence in basic news judgment and an understanding of journalism ethics.
• Ability to generate engaging story ideas.
• Ability to write broadcast scripts and/or web stories.
• Ability to think creatively about topics and story angles.
• 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
• 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.
• Knowledge 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.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver's license and proof of insurance required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Level II
All of those listed in Level I above, plus:

• Incumbents at Level II will have ALL the skills of Level I PLUS:
• Well developed sources in institutions/communities throughout San Diego & Imperial counties and/or on beat.
• Ability to plan for and determine appropriate visual graphic elements for digital and video news stories.
• Understanding of social media and digital technology and how to tell stories and reach new and diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications and Special Skills

• Advanced degree, preferably in journalism or related field
• Fluency in another language, e.g. Spanish, to further connect to San Diego's diverse communities
• Data-driven journalism expertise in crunching 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 in public radio or television.
• Possess some knowledge of current San Diego and regional issues.
• Ten years or more of journalism experience

Additional Applicant Information:

• Candidates must reside in California, or be willing to relocate, and live within a commutable distance to the SDSU campus at the 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 EEO/AA/Disability/Vets Employer
• This position is part of the SAG-AFTRA bargaining unit with KPBS