Job Description

Reporter -- crime and public safety

The Southern California News Group is seeking a talented and aggressive journalist to cover crime and public safety in Southern California. Part of a team that covers LA, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the ideal candidate is tenacious and able to write gracefully and quickly in response to breaking news for online and mobile platforms, writing through for print. We’re looking for someone who is flexible, can cultivate sources in person and via social media, and is comfortable mining public records. This job focuses on covering public safety and spot news, but also includes opportunities (and expectations) for enterprise and investigative journalism. The reporter may work nights and weekends as needed.

Essential Functions

• Versatility is a must, as stories will cover a variety of topics.

• Write on deadline in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to take own photos is a plus.

• Along with producing stories that are assigned, the reporter should also be able to pitch story ideas on a regular basis.

• The candidate must be able to research and develop stories to the utmost accuracy.

• Cultivate sources both in person and via social media.

• Maintain communication with a supervising editor.

• Understand and use company-provided hardware, software and cloud-based equipment and systems for company business and tasks.

• Contribute to a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration.

Competencies and skills

• Strong news judgment and a drive to compete

• Ability to write clean concise copy that draws readers in, including nut graphs and online headlines for SEO

• The skill to mine human sources, documents and data, including a facility for mining public records

• The ability to juggle multiple stories of varying complexity, from quick news posts under intense deadline pressure to daily news stories and longer-term enterprise

• Proficiency at using the web and social media to report stories and to share them

• Facility with multiple languages is a plus.

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required

Required Experience

• At least two years of professional journalism experience

Travel

• 50% - Must have reliable transportation

Work Environment

• Remote with the possibility of going back to in-person work

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; document; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms and requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies up to 20 pounds.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job and may change at any time with or without notice.