Education Reporter

Job Description

The salary range for this position is RI: $33.02 - $36.31 per hour ($68,675 - $75,525 per year) depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable. 

This recruitment will close on November 5, 2024 at 4:00pm (PST) 
First round interviews are anticipated to occur the first week of December 

This position is within the SAG-AFTRA bargaining unit.
 

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.

Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff perks, farmer's market Tuesday's, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.
• Hybrid schedule/ remote work flexibility options (varies by job)
• 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
• Monthly 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

With a focus on people­ centered reporting, the Education Reporter will tell the small stories that reveal the big challenges and joys impacting students and teachers in and outside the classroom. . Engage the KPBS audience with your curiosity about how children and adults teach and learn by creating stories that have personal meaning for our audiences. With an equity focus, find the people affected by changes in education policy and technology – children, adults, lifelong learners and in diverse communities. The Education Reporter will dig deep to reveal problems and solutions within our schools and prioritize: 

1. Accountability — from student reading and math comprehension to chronic absenteeism and suspension rates . Are our schools doing what they are supposed to be doing?
2. Readiness for Life —  Critical thinking has become paramount in an age of disinformation. How do our schools make sure students are capable of critical thinking while also getting them ready for the day-in, day-out realities wherever their lives take them?
3. Mental/Social/Emotional Education — Skills and scores are not the whole package. How are our schools meeting the various needs for support, for students, families and teachers?

At the direction of the News Director and under the supervision of the assigned News Editor, this position is part of a team. The Education 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. 

Cultivating the education beat is important, but all KPBS reporters will work outside their beats, or conversely team up on their beats, as the news merits. The Education 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, social media videos and special reports as assigned. 

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.  Shoot and edit video on the topic or work in partnership with a videographer; and also record audio ambient sound and distribute your work across all news platforms.
• Follow the KPBS editing process, 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.).
• Responsible for creating content through excellent storytelling and prioritizing high journalistic standards.

• Collaborate with other reporters and video journalists to ensure that stories contain necessary context and depth.
   

Planning (15%)

• Read and follow major developments on education 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 as Assigned (5%) 

• Help fill in for other newsroom positions, such as anchoring newscasts or web producing, and appear as a guest or host on KPBS TV and radio programs, as needed.
• Participate in station on-air fundraising activities, and make appearances for KPBS community building events and other public relations activities.
• Attend meetings, represent the station at public events, responsibility for appropriate record keeping, correspondence, phone calls, supplies and equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and work 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 or related experience as a reporter.

 Knowledge and Abilities: Level I

• 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.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver's license and proof of insurance required.

Preferred Qualifications and Special Skills

• Previous education reporting experience.
• Fluency in a foreign language, e.g. Spanish or Tagalog, in order to connect with 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.
• Experience successfully engaging 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.

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/Title IX Employer
• This position is part of the SAG-AFTRA bargaining unit with KPBS.

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