Who We Are: 

Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) is a member-supported public media network whose mission is to strengthen the civic and cultural bonds that unite Southern California's diverse communities by providing the highest quality news and information service on air at LAist 89.3, online at LAist.com and through LAist Live Programming & Events. Since our founding in 1999, SCPR has been a fast growing, innovative, multi-platform public service newsroom. Every day, our staff helps audiences catch up on the latest headlines, solve the complexities of life in Southern California, and connect curious communities to one another.

Position Summary:

We love this place and embrace L.A. as the most dynamic city in the country. We are looking for someone who is deeply committed to making news and information more accessible to everyone.

As the afternoon associate editor, you’ll keep the LAist audience up-to-date on the most important and most interesting stories of the day. The ideal candidate has a passion for daily news, is a strategic thinker who understands digital platforms, audience needs and how to engage readers. You’re a voracious consumer of local news and know how to identify key stories from other outlets that our readers should also know about. You will work closely with other members of the daily news team and your manager to make LAist a daily digital habit for Angelenos seeking to navigate, discover, connect and affect change.

You’ll need excellent news judgment, superior writing skills and the ability to craft a great headline. We appreciate a writer who can entertain and pull out the key takeaways — and most interesting bits — of longer stories. We are invested in both news and information to help Angelenos and beyond understand and participate in their communities, that includes helping them navigate complex topics, explore new places and experiences, connect with others and make changes in their lives.

You should also be comfortable quickly responding to breaking news as needed.

You’ll play a key role in the production of The Brief which requires skill at applying the brevity and crisp writing of popular newsletters to a living, breathing vertical on LAist and a mobile app. (that also feeds into our Top 5 evening newsletter). We’re also excited to experiment with on-air and on-demand audio versions.

This job has noon to 8:30 p.m. hours, with a half hour break for lunch.

Compensation: 

The pay rate for this opportunity will be no less than $32.94 per hour and no more than $40.24 per hour. Exact pay rate determined by experience and education related to the role, organizational compensation structure, budget and internal equity. The grade of this position is IS.

Position Responsibilities:

• Efficiently identify and compile the best of daily Brief content (our short-form news items) into our Top 5 evening newsletter.
• Write and produce daily news stories
• Contribute to our digital team’s work by editing our digital platform including; the homepage, conversational headlines, social share language, web builds and other duties as needed.
• Edit content as needed.
• Use analytics (ie: Chartbeat, Google Analytics) to make data-informed decisions that help grow traffic and engagement.
• Understand and deploy our promise to practice diversity, equity and inclusion in how we assign, report, edit, produce and distribute our journalism.
• Uphold the organization’s editorial standards, voice and style on all digital platforms.
• Play a role in keeping the newsroom on track to meet audience and source diversity growth goals.
• Work with membership, events and marketing teams to further the brand and mission of The Brief.
• Collaborate with producers, reporters, editors and external media partners on coverage.
• Bring fresh ideas to make content easily accessible for audiences on LAist.com and wherever it might appear.
• Uphold the organization’s editorial standards, voice and style on all digital platforms.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree, OR equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years’ experience in digital journalism, social media engagement or content production.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Strong news judgment and interest in local and regional news.
• Outstanding writing skills, particularly for digital platforms. We expect to see writing samples.
• Ability to tell stories in different ways on different platforms.
• Deep understanding of social media (ie: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, TikTok).
• Broad knowledge of digital storytelling tools and trends.
• Experience in audio storytelling or a willingness and aptitude to learn
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with colleagues in multiple departments/divisions.
• Knowledge and fluency with AP style and usage.
• Advanced knowledge of SEO, particularly for headlines.
• Ability to use analytics to drive decision-making.
• Experience working with content management systems.
• Basic familiarity with Photoshop or another photo editing software.
• Ability to work with changing deadlines and in a fast-paced environment.
• Not required, but good to have: Basic knowledge of HTML/CSS.

Reporting to this Position: None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to work shifts of early morning or late evening hours, as necessary.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Physical Demands:
  • Required to move about in an office environment and sit for extended periods of time.
  • Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping.
• Working Conditions:
  • Moderate noise level.

Southern California Public Radio (LAist 89.3/LAist.com/LAist Studios) is diverse in race, ethnicity, language, culture, social class, national origin, religious and political belief, age, ability, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation in addition to other markers protected by law. 

At SCPR, we strive to create an inclusive environment where we all feel pride in who we are and what we do. We are encouraged to show up as we are – always embracing and recognizing that our diversity is what brings us together. Our fundamental commitment to diversity:  

• Enriches SCPR and provides an atmosphere in which all human potential is valued
• Promotes learning through interactions among people of different backgrounds and many perspectives, and 
• Enables the organization to prepare all employees to promote social responsibility, equity, freedom, and productive citizenship in a global society

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage you to apply.