Reporter I - General Assignment - Temporary

Position Summary:

We’re looking for a daily news reporter with an emphasis on weather and disaster coverage who is excited to embrace the mission of LAist - helping Southern Californians stay informed by providing information they need to navigate, connect, discover and help affect change.

The reporter will backfill a staff absence for one year (April 2026 to March 2027).

The successful candidate will be able to develop strong day-of story ideas off the news and be adept at reporting and filing stories on a daily deadline. The General Assignment reporter needs a track record of strong news judgment, excellent writing skills and experience in breaking news environments.

The ideal candidate understands digital platforms, including audience needs and how to engage readers. The reporter will champion our mission to explain Southern California across platforms that include broadcast, social and on-demand audio. Top candidates will be keen to experiment on coverage of weather and the environment – but also enjoy variety and covering a wide-range of topics. The role is designed to be flexible to audience needs, and subject-area focuses will shift on an as-needed basis.

We love this place and embrace L.A. and O.C. as some of the most dynamic areas to live in the country. We are looking for people who are deeply committed to shining a light on the region’s challenges and opportunities and connecting diverse communities in meaningful conversations.

This position sits in the collective bargaining agreement between LAist and Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (“SAG-AFTRA”)

Expected Compensation Range: $39.00 - $44.50 per hour. The exact hourly rate is determined by experience and education related to the role, organizational compensation structure, and internal equity.

Location: Hybrid, Pasadena, CA

Application Process: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Position Responsibilities:

• Provide coverage of Southern California issues across a broad spectrum with an emphasis on weather and environment coverage
• Report and produce daily and breaking news stories and feature stories on deadline for radio, web and social media
• Develop expertise and source lists
• On a weekly basis, monitor local government agendas and attend meetings remotely and in person
• Regularly file public record requests
• Report complex stories quickly, producing at least three stories per week
• Bring complicated ideas to our readers and listeners with moderate direction from editor
• Provide live newscast reports and talk show and host 2-ways
• Participate in special projects including editorial projects and live events
• Propose ideas and topics for on-air programs
• Operate production and studio equipment
• Use audience engagement as a reporting tool
• Other duties as assigned

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Two or more years of reporting or professional journalism or applicable experience

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Demonstrated radio reporting, digital news and production skills
• Proven ability to identify and originate stories, report accurately and quickly and meet deadlines
• Ability to develop areas of expertise and establish beat priorities and goals
• Demonstrated capacity to use public documents, internet research and other reporting methods to provide independent material to inform stories
• Strong writing, reporting and interviewing skills
• Ability to provide live reports and two-ways
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively
• General and developing knowledge of beat
• Ability to tackle difficult projects
• Ability to work simultaneously on short- and long-term projects
• Ability to produce compelling storytelling with originality in writing
• Ability to develop stories with multiple interviews, scene changes, and strong knowledge of subject matter
• Become and remain a member in good standing of SAG-AFTRA by the thirtieth (30th) day of employment

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Fluency in Spanish
• Fluency in other languages used by significant portions of Southern California communities
• Experience covering climate, weather, science or environmental issues

Reporting To This Position: None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Ability to travel when needed
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to manage some work outside of standard office hours as needed.
• Physical Demands:
  • Required to move about in an office environment and sit for extended periods of time
  • Required to move about in the community
  • Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping
• Working Conditions:
  • Moderate noise level

LAist (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 LAist, 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 LAist 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.