KPBS Environment Reporter I or II - San Diego State University Research Foundation

Overview

The salary range for this position is RI: $31.45- $36.31per hour ($65,416 - $75,525 per year) / RII: $33.18- $38.87 per hour ($69,014 - $80,850 per year) depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable. 

This recruitment will close on 6/19/24 at 4:00pm (PST) 

Licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS Radio, Television & Digital serves San Diego and Imperial Counties with news, entertainment, educational and lifestyle programming for all ages. A PBS and NPR station, KPBS produces local and national content that is valued and trusted by local, regional, national and international audiences and is worthy of support.

The environment affects every single person. The beat is rich with personal stories and systemic challenges which, when told with people at the center, can offer a powerful glimpse into the differences between how things are and how they should be.

The Environment Reporter will advance coverage of the San Diego and Imperial Valley regions’ environment issues, and create stories with lively, people-centered reporting. The beat includes water, air, beaches, power, weather and other issues impacted by climate change.  This reporter will dig deep to hold policymakers and stakeholders accountable for their roles in existing climate realities and empower individuals with information to help themselves. 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 assigned News Editor and in coordination with other members of the News Division, the Environment 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. 

Other KPBS news beats include health, arts and culture, border, education, military, racial justice and social equity and investigations.  The environment 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 Environment Reporter may be assigned to 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.  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.

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 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

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.).
• Responsible for creating content though excellent storytelling and prioritizing high journalistic standards.

Planning (15%)

• Read and follow major developments on environment 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%) 

• 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 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.

Experience: Level II

• Five  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.

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. 
• Trained to fill in for one other position in the newsroom.

Preferred Qualifications and Special Skills

• Advanced degree, preferably in journalism or beat-related field.
• Fluency in a foreign language, 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 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/Title IX Employer
• This position is part of the SAG-AFTRA bargaining unit with KPBS.