News Reporter & Social Video Producer, Santa Barbara News-Press
Report the news that matters
You care about the facts. You’re an ambitious and creative journalist who knows how to make calls, knock on doors, interview face-to-face, read documents, and craft a clear, compelling story on deadline.
At the Santa Barbara News-Press, you’ll be part of a growing start-up newsroom rebuilding local journalism with urgency, credibility and relevance. You’ll cover a wide range of stories across Santa Barbara County contributing original reporting that helps readers understand what’s happening — and why it matters.
This is a general assignment role for a journalist who wants to report frequently, improve quickly and take on increasing responsibility over time. You’ll pursue enterprise reporting, narrative features and investigations.
We are especially interested in candidates who want to innovate in how stories reach audiences, particularly on social platforms. This may include contributing to short-form vertical video, appearing occasionally on camera to explain or contextualize stories, and collaborating with editors on how reporting can be adapted for social-first formats.
The pay scale for this position ranges from $24.51 - $28.84/hour.
Location: Santa Barbara, CA area
You will be a core member of a growing team working to transform the 157-year-old Santa Barbara News-Press into an innovative digital-first local news outlet. This role exists to provide strong foundational reporting on the most important news of Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast via timely, fact-based storytelling that resonates with our local community. You are here to build the news and information infrastructure for a people and a place.
What you’ll do
As a general assignment reporter, your coverage will vary day to day and week to week. You’ll work closely with editors to identify strong story ideas, pursue original reporting and file stories efficiently across topics of:
Local government and public agencies
Courts, immigration and public safety
Education, housing, environment and business
Community profiles, breaking news and developing stories
Report and write
Develop and report original stories through on-the-ground reporting
Write clear, accurate, well-structured stories on deadline
File breaking news quickly while maintaining accuracy and fairness
Follow stories beyond the news cycle for in-depth ‘day two’ coverage
Develop long-form, investigative and explanatory features
Contribute to social & visual storytelling
Create short-form vertical video for social-first stories when appropriate
Appear on camera to help explain or contextualize reporting
Work with editors and colleagues to adapt reporting for different platforms
Maintain high journalistic standards
Uphold strong standards of accuracy, sourcing, ethics and fairness
Attribute information clearly and responsibly
Exercise good news judgment and editorial discretion
Collaborate in a modern newsroom
Work closely with editors, fellow reporters and visual journalists
Participate in story meetings and contribute ideas
Be open to feedback and committed to continuous improvement
Relevant qualifications
A minimum of three years of professional reporting experience (or equivalent)
Strong writing and reporting skills
It’s a plus if you have
Comfort with video or audio reporting
Familiarity with digital publishing workflows
Spanish language speaking and writing skills
Preference for someone living in or near Santa Barbara
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance
401(k) plan with matching employer contribution
22 days of vacation time
11 holidays, including your birthday
Parental leave
Significant tuition reductions
$30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement
How to Apply
Please include:
A written resume
Clips or links to recent written reporting (ideally three-five pieces that together showcase your editorial range across different types of articles, ex. daily news, longform, profile, analysis, etc.
Clips or links to any video or audio news stories you have produced
A note on your journalistic background, professional aspirations in this role, interest in covering the greater Santa Barbara community and why the News-Press would be a good fit (max. 1 written page)
Please assemble these materials into a single document and upload them in a PDF format.