Producer, Community Engagement

Job Description

Position Summary:

At its heart, engaged journalism is about removing barriers for participation and creating a welcoming space so that more people can have access to the information they need to be their own best advocates. At LAist, we recognize that deepening our relationship with the communities we serve is critical to our membership-based organization and to the region’s information ecosystem.

The community engagement producer will work closely with the rest of LAist’s award-winning community engagement team to help ensure that communities are not only represented at all levels of the editorial operation but also made to feel welcome through engaged journalism that furthers our commitment to producing journalism that reflects the diverse needs of Southern Californians. They will look for creative approaches to engage the community in coverage and identify the information needs and habits of stakeholders. Working in LAist’s multiplatform newsroom, they will also write and produce news stories, post online stories, write newsletters, use social media and engagement tools, engage sources and listeners/users, and develop engagement projects. They will identify opportunities to connect their work to that of other departments, including Content and Membership.

Ideal candidates will be based in L.A. County and will work across LAist platforms - broadcast, web/mobile, social media, and events. They will collaborate with colleagues on all platforms, offer ideas, and help shape coverage to serve and inform audiences effectively. Through high-quality coverage and engagement, the producer helps amplify issues and memorable stories in Los Angeles, Orange County and across Southern California.

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: $37.02 - 42.79 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:

• Serve as liaison between LAist’s newsroom and various community organizations and build relationships for projects on various beats.
• Work with the community engagement team, editors, and reporters to produce content, including but not limited to digital and broadcast content and live events. 
• Facilitate engagement opportunities with community partners, including but not limited to in-person listening sessions, workshops, distribution of print materials and co-produced reporting projects.
• Write, publish, and promote callouts to collect insights from community members.
• Assist with research projects, interviews, and data insights.
• Collaborate with the audience team to incorporate engagement tactics into social and newsletters.
• Use engagement tools like Hearken, Typeform and text messaging services.
• Responsible for high standards of journalistic integrity, accuracy and timeliness.
• Pitch, report and produce occasional news stories.
• Write and edit copy as required.
• Keep up to date on current events (local, national and international).
• Other duties as assigned.

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. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Job Requirements

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience.
• Five or more years of professional journalism experience.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Experience in social media and content production.
• Interest in social networking, content aggregation and new trends in digital media.
• Familiarity with data analysis.
• Strong news judgment.
• Strong writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with colleagues in multiple departments/divisions.
• Strong interest in local and regional news and general depth of knowledge about issues and current events.
• Ability to work with changing deadlines and in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work simultaneously on short and long-term projects.
• Familiarity with content management systems.
• Proven ability to contribute to a positive, diverse, creative, high-performance culture.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Required to become and remain a member in good standing of SAG-AFTRA by the thirtieth (30) day of employment.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Fluency in Spanish preferred. Fluency in other languages desirable.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• May travel at times.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• 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.
• Moderate noise level.
• Occasional exposure to prevailing weather conditions.

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