KPBS Social Media Host/ Reporter - San Diego State University Research Foundation

Overview

The salary range for this position is $88,142 - $88,614 per year ($7,345.17- $7,384.50 per month) depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

This position is scheduled to close on 1/17/2025 at 4:00pm (PST).

This position is grant-funded for up to three years. We anticipate continued employment thereafter, dependent on funding.

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.

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

Under the general supervision of the Public Matters Editor, the Social Media Host/Reporter exercises independent judgment and discretion in the majority of their role when covering the San Diego and Imperial County communities, specifically when promoting information about elections, civic engagement and thoughtful conversations among individuals with diverse perspectives. KPBS’ Public Matters initiative centers people and solutions throughout our coverage. This position qualifies as exempt and meets the FLSA salary threshold.

The Social Media Host/Reporter will  create engaging and informative reporting discussing civic engagement, democracy, and community issues. Their reporting  will be delivered and produced primarily for social media but also could air on radio and television. The ideal candidate should bring their own hosting style to our platforms, have a strong presence on social platforms like  Instagram, TikTok and YouTube and be able to engage with new audiences in an authentic way. They should also have an in-depth understanding of digital and social platforms and storytelling tactics for social media. Creativity, and the ability to present information in an engaging and relatable manner are essential.

The news division’s mission is to provide fair, accurate and contextualized reports about the people and issues of import affecting San Diego and Imperial counties, their residents and extended communities. Keeping the mission in mind, this key individual will ensure that KPBS is reaching new audiences on social media platforms and expanding our efforts with audiences where we don’t currently have a strong foothold, to provide representation from the full spectrum of San Diego and Imperial Counties and bring together a diversity of voices and perspectives through our journalism, digital and in-person engagements. 

The Public Matters team includes an editor, investigative reporter and engagement manager and partners closely with other local nonprofit news organizations and prioritizes audience engagement and accountability-driven journalism, via a mix of thought-provoking short-, medium- and feature-length stories with a social media first approach. This position will play a key role on that team through social media outreach and audience engagement. The Social Media Host/Reporter is tasked with teaching the audience something new – all with a digital-first, audience-first orientation in order to illuminate the key roles democracy and civic engagement play in society. The role partners closely with the Public Matters Investigative Reporter and the Public Matters Community Engagement Manager for reporting and engagement events.

The Social Media Host/Reporter is responsible for but not limited to:

Social Media Hosting, Reporting and Producing (80%)

• Provide news content for social media: explainer videos, reels and other social media content that will engage and inform audiences.
• Host and present engaging on-camera videos that explain relevant news events in a clear, relatable, and visually appealing way tailored to social media audiences.
• Host other social media series and/or events (including on YouTube, Reddit and Instagram)
• Produce spot news, feature reports, cut and copy, live debrief, tape talk, field packages, photos, video, audio, web stories, and newscasts. 
• Oversee the workflow of starting a story online, shooting video on the topic and editing it or working in partnership with a videographer for longer pieces as needed.
• Work closely with Public Matters Investigative Reporter and Public Matters Community Engagement Manager on reporting and engagement events.
• Research topics, analyze data, develop contacts and interview sources, maintain notes and broadcast recordings.
• Pitch and develop stories for appropriate platforms based on knowledge of each platform.
• Create content though excellent storytelling and prioritizing high journalistic standards. 
• Pitch social media stories that reflect the mission of KPBS and Public Matters.
• Collaborate with content teams to ensure videos align with KPBS brand voice and strategy.
• Follow the KPBS Strategic Plan and Editorial Vision at the direction of the News Editor.

Planning (15%)

• Read and follow major developments on democracy, civic engagement, local government, and how national events impact our region.
• Maintain contact lists and files for ongoing continuity of coverage and accumulation of knowledge.
• Brainstorm story ideas with other reporters, supervisors and producers of radio, television, public affairs, and digital news teams.
• Document and appropriately store records, correspondence, phone calls, supplies and equipment.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned (5%)

• Attend meetings and represent the station at public events.
• Participate in station on-air fundraising activities.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Abilities 

• Demonstrated knowledge of social media and digital technology, and delivering meaningful stories to reach new and diverse audiences.
• Ability to create engaging and entertaining content.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other social media platforms.
• Demonstrated understanding of social media culture and the ability to distinguish best practices and passing fads.
• Ability to use creativity to enhance, personalize and deliver relevant information in an entertaining and informative manner.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully engage social media audiences via entertaining and educational content.
• Knowledge of trending news and cultural happenings.
• Demonstrated excellence in basic news judgment and an understanding of journalism ethics.
• Ability to develop internal and external engagement throughout the organization and community, with a focus on democracy and civic engagement. 
• Ability to write and fact check broadcast scripts and/or web stories.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the fundamentals of journalism.
• Demonstrated excellence in communication, presentation and organizational skills.
• Ability to plan for and determine appropriate visual graphic elements for digital and video news stories.
• Knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and AP Style.
• Ability to meet deadlines, handle multiple stories at once, and shift gears quickly.
• Ability to think creatively about topics and story angles and generate engaging story ideas.
• Demonstrated knowledge of audio and video editing skills.
• Ability to shoot/record/edit audio/video for social platforms and radio & TV platforms, as needed.
• Ability to build, develop, and maintain sources.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and students.
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic computer skills.
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts and weekends, as needed.
• 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 media system.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to work in breaking news situations.
• Ability to commute to and visit offsite locations to find and interview sources as well as to attend various events relevant to the pursuit and delivery of stories.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field or equivalent combination of education and/or relevant work experience.

Minimum Experience

• Five years of full-time and relevant journalism experience, progressing as a host, reporter or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications and Special Skills

• Advanced degree, preferably in journalism or related fields.
• Fluency in a foreign language, e.g. Spanish, to further connect to San Diego’s diverse communities.
• Knowledge of and/or willingness and ability to obtain knowledge of institutions/communities throughout San Diego & Imperial counties and/or on their assigned beat
• Expertise in analyzing data to find story trends.
• Experience using engagement tools.
• Experience hosting or anchoring a TV and/or radio newscast.
• Experience in digital production, including still photography.
• Journalistic experience in public radio or television.
• Some knowledge of and interest in 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.