Description
KCBX has an immediate opening for a 40-hour/week journalist to provide weekday news coverage and contribute to editorial planning for the week ahead.
KCBX News is an award-winning, small-market public radio newsroom based in San Luis Obispo, covering California’s Central Coast from Salinas to Santa Barbara. KCBX is the NPR Network station for the region.
POSITION SUMMARY
You will serve as a full-time reporter, producing breaking news and scheduled coverage for local broadcasts in Morning Edition and All Things Considered, while also providing occasional editorial content for a weekly public affairs program under the news department.
Your stories will cover a wide range of topics including government, education, environment, health, public safety, and culture. You’ll work closely with the News Director and participate in daily editorial meetings to help shape the week’s coverage priorities.
This is a 40-hour/week full-time position, with regular hours Monday through Friday. Some evening and holiday work may be required.
Starting pay is $52,000 annually. Medical benefits are included.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Cover and report daily news, including breaking stories and scheduled events, for broadcast and web.
- File short reports or spots for Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
- Monitor upcoming local government meetings, public notices, and events to help guide coverage planning.
- Produce regular breaking news, in-depth enterprise, and analytical stories.
- Maintain and contribute to the station’s shared planning calendar in coordination with the News Director.
- Participate in weekday editorial meetings and help develop pitches, assignments, and coverage strategies.
- Write scripts and publish content to the KCBX website and social media.
- Represent KCBX with professionalism in the field and with sources.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum one year of professional journalism experience, including daily reporting for broadcast or digital.
- Strong writing, interviewing, and storytelling skills, with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in field audio recording and digital editing tools (e.g., Adobe Audition, Descript, Pro Tools, Izotope RX).
- Comfortable voicing news stories with clear, conversational delivery.
- Familiarity with public radio news values and strict adherence to the NPR Ethics Handbook.
- Ability to work independently on weekends with limited supervision.
- Excellent time management, organizational, and collaboration skills.
- Experience publishing news content to the web and social media platforms.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Fluency in Spanish.
- Experience covering breaking news and government affairs.
- Four-year degree in journalism, broadcasting, or a related field.
- Familiarity with Central Coast communities and regional issues.
- Experience in a public media newsroom.
KCBX is a community-licensed public radio station located in San Luis Obispo, CA, serving San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Monterey Counties. KCBX is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on any characteristic protected by law.
TO APPLY: Send your cover letter, resumé, and samples of your reporting and on-air work to mlopez@kcbx.org with the subject line: Full-Time Reporter.
Position open until filled.
