Latino and Puerto Rican Communities Reporter II

Location: Hartford, Connecticut
Job Category: Online | New Media,Radio
Job ID: 12152
Employment Type: Full time
Salary: per year
Posted: 02.11.2025

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Occupations:

Job Description:

Are you a passionate journalist with a deep connection to Latino and Puerto Rican communities? Do you thrive on uncovering untold stories that span generations and borders? Connecticut Public is looking for a Reporter II to be at the forefront of an innovative collaboration with GFR Media, bringing the rich narratives of Connecticut and Puerto Rico to life.

 General Summary

This unique role, a 15-month grant-funded position, is a key part of a groundbreaking collaboration with Connecticut Public and GFR Media, a Puerto Rico-based media company. The reporter, based in Connecticut, will explore ties between both locations—ties that go back generations.  

With the largest percentage of Puerto Ricans of any U.S. state, Connecticut is uniquely positioned to tell the stories that bridge the diaspora and the island. Nearly 20% of Connecticut residents identify as Latino or Hispanic, and almost half of those Latinos are of Puerto Rican descent.   

Essential Functions

Our Reporter provides a wide range of services. Applicants must have the ability to complete the following essential functions: 

• Be a key collaborator with Connecticut Public's Latino Initiative, called Somos Connecticut, an organization-wide effort to expand our reporting, programming and engagement with Latino communities.   
  Build sources, develop ideas and work with editors and colleagues on daily broadcast and digital stories, as well as longer-term stories.   
  Collaborate with Connecticut Public colleagues on initiatives to connect with and attract Latino audiences, such as community engagement events and listening sessions.  
  Engage Latinos in our storytelling and for reporting news in clear and accessible ways, including through short-form video and platforms such as Instagram in collaboration with our social media team.  
  Focus on stories that cover critical news, as well as cultural topics such as food, music, and shared traditions, to provide deeper context and connection for audiences across Connecticut and Puerto Rico.  
  Interview sources and communicate fluently in both English and Spanish.  
  Report on Connecticut’s growing Latino population and tell memorable stories that inspire deeper connection within Connecticut.  
  Research, write, report, edit and voice a wide variety of stories and series for radio and online, as well as social media.   
  Tell stories in both English and Spanish to widen the net of impact and audience reach. 
  Work collaboratively with a GFR reporter and editor based in Puerto Rico, as well as journalists at Connecticut Public.   
  Work regularly with news editors, our Latino Communities reporter and with the editor of our Latino Initiative. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. 

Responsibilities 
This position has many responsibilities.  Duties include, but are not limited to: 

• Additional duties may, at times, be assigned and required.  
• Build a network of sources across all walks of life and deliver compelling, people-centered storytelling on digital, social and radio broadcast.  
• Collaborate with visual journalists every step of the way – as an assignment emerges and at the scene of a story. 
• Edit audio, focusing on compelling soundbites and sound-rich scenes.   
• Explore the countless connections between the state and the island and help to strengthen ties between Puerto Rican communities in both places. 
• Record audio in person in the field and on assignment; record audio in virtual settings; record audio from livestreams.  
• Serve as a resource for talk shows and appear occasionally on the air as a guest.    
• Serve as fill-in host and on-air fundraiser as needed.   
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Knowledge of: 

• AP and NPR style.   
• Editing and news tools that support reporting, including Word, Excel, Audition, and digital editing apps.   
• Microsoft Office applications, including O365suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, Smartsheets and Outlook). 
• Mission and purpose of CT Public.   
• News judgement and an understanding of how to write for radio and broadcast about Connecticut and Puerto Rico issues.      

Skill in:

• Attention to detail, scheduling and strong organizational skills.   
• Audio editing. 
• Collaborating across the newsroom using strong interpersonal skills.   
• Diverse storytelling in words, audio and video.   
• Embracing and encouraging the use of new techniques and technologies.   
• News judgment and outstanding writing and editing skills.    
• Reporting and writing for a digital audience to expand and grow our digital presence.   
• Spanish language fluency, both speaking and writing.    
• Telling journalism with impact and possessing the courage to take on difficult subjects

Ability to:

• Adjust on the fly during interviews.   
• Be a self-starter who takes initiative and brings story ideas to editors on a regular basis.   
• Maintain high journalistic standards under deadline pressure, including standards of objectivity, balance and fairness that meet CT Public, GFR Media, NPR and PBS standards in order to produce local and national-quality broadcasting.   
• Possess a visceral distaste for office politics and gossip. 
• Possess initiative and self-motivation, and work with minimal supervision.   
• Take creative direction, feedback and constructive criticism with grace.   
• Work Environment 

Job functions are typically performed in a combination of those found in general office and field work. The reporter will often be in the field and conducting in-person interviews. This position may be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, specifically during field work. Other job functions are performed under conditions such as those found in general office work.  Travel within the state, to Puerto Rico, and also to our geographically-separated offices will be required.

Physical Demands 
The physical activities of this position may include frequent in-person interactions.  It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods, perform computer-related tasks, and create/maintain filing systems.  Must have close visual acuity to perform an activity, such as preparing and analyzing reports and information, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal or extensive reading.  The typical physical requirements are: light work — exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion.  Must have the ability to travel independently throughout the state and take occasional trips to Puerto Rico.  

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work 
This is a full-time non-exempt position which may include frequent in-person or virtual interactions.   It is the nature of the position to experience non-standard working hours and be on-call when needed for story development or breaking news. Reporters traditionally perform work Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., although weekend shifts or early-morning or evening shifts maywill be required on occasion. 

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications from an accredited university or a similar field AND at least three to five (3-5) years of direct and sustained professional journalism experience AND/OR a satisfactory equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Strong record of achievement in reporting is preferred.    

 

 

 

Job Requirements: