KPBS Science & Technology Reporter I or II at San Diego State University Research Foundation – San Diego, California

San Diego State University Research Foundation
KPBS Science & Technology Reporter I or II

US-CA-San Diego

Job ID: 2026-20051
Type: Full-Time Contract
# of Openings: 1
Category: Radio/TV/Multimedia
KPBS

Overview

The salary range for this position is depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

Reporter I: $33.02 - $36.31 per hour ($68,681.60 - $75,524.80 per year)
Reporter II: $34.94 - $40.55 per hour ($72,675.20 - $84,344 per year)

This position is scheduled to close on 3/12/26 at 4:00pm (PST)

This position is part of the SAG-AFTRA bargaining unit with KPBS.

Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff perks, weekly farmer's market, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.
• Hybrid schedule/ remote work flexibility options (varies by position)
• 10 vacation days, 1 personal day & 13 holidays off (4+ days off over winter break)
• Enjoy a 'beautiful day in the neighborhood' with local employee discounts
• Opportunity drawings to attend SDSU basketball games, local concerts and events
• Discounts on local attractions (theme parks, entertainment, restaurants, memberships)
• Free wellness classes & programs
• Staff pop-up events
• Full benefits packages that are unmatched (medical, dental, vision, life)
• Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
• On-site childcare at a discounted rate (based on availability)
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development
• Flexible spending account(s)
• Employee assistance program
• Matching and voluntary retirement savings plan

KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining and educational television, radio, and digital programming. KPBS TV/FM is the public television and radio station for San Diego. Licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS supports and furthers the university’s educational and community service mission by informing, enlightening and empowering its audience. It does so not only by presenting national and locally produced programming of value to its San Diego audience, but also by producing programming about San Diego and its people for distribution nationwide.

San Diego has a rich array of research institutions and biotechnology firms that play an important role in the region’s economy and quality of life, and they often make news of both local and global consequence. Reporting on the science and technology beat will involve taking complex concepts and rendering them into accessible and compelling stories. These stories will be grounded in fact, and carefully vetted, moving beyond press releases to interrogate the ethics, funding, and real-world impacts of local innovation but still be playful or moving as the subject matter requires.

Under the direction of the Managing Editor, supervision of the News Editor, and in coordination with other members of the news division, The Science & Technology Reporter will produce news stories that can be distributed on radio, TV, KPBS.org, social media platforms and KPBS mobile. KPBS news beats include arts & culture, border, immigration, education, environment, investigative, and military.

The news stories will be produced in formats such as, but not limited to, social media videos and posts, digital projects/series, radio newscasts, in-depth radio features, TV packages and features, multimedia projects, community engagement events and special reports as assigned.

The reporter may be assigned to help fill in for other newsroom positions, such as anchoring newscasts or web producing, and appear as a guest or host on KPBS TV and radio programs. Cultivating the beat is important, but all KPBS reporters will work outside their beats, or conversely team up on their beats, as the news merits. The reporter will produce local content and prepare final productions that can be distributed on all KPBS platforms.

The reporter is expected to participate in station on-air fundraising activities, and make appearances for KPBS community building events and other public relations activities.

Responsibilities

The following information is intended to be representative of the work performed by incumbents in this position and is not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of position responsibilities. Job descriptions may be changed at any time based on the needs of the department.

News Reporting and Producing (80%)

Provide news content: spot news, feature reports, cut and copy, live debrief, tape talk, field packages, photos, video, audio, social media posts, and newscasts. The primary flow of work will be to start a story online, shoot video on the topic and edit it or work in partnership with a videographer for longer pieces as needed, and move the gathered content across all news platforms.Follow the KPBS Strategic Plan and Editorial Vision at the direction of the News Editor.Research topics, analyze data, develop contacts and interview sources, maintain notes and broadcast recordings, write and edit reports, produce and voice reports for air, and work with a production unit to produce radio, TV and multimedia productions.Report stories in appropriate forms for online and broadcast (live on-air, copy, actuality, cut & copy, voicer, wrap, feature, series, documentary, feature follow, studio two-way, radio, TV, etc.).Create content through excellent storytelling and high journalistic standards.

Planning (15%)

Read and follow major developments on local and national science and technology stories and continue to follow issues covered in the past. Maintain contact lists and files for ongoing continuity of coverage and accumulation of knowledge.Brainstorm beat-specific story ideas with other reporters, supervisors and producers of radio, television, public affairs, and digital platforms.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Attend meetings, represent the station at public events, responsibility for appropriate record keeping, correspondence, phone calls, supplies and equipment, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Abilities: Level I

Basic news judgment and an understanding of journalism ethics.Ability to write broadcast scripts and/or web stories. An understanding of proper news style (including AP style), structure and grammar.Ability to voice for TV/radio. Ability to do TV stand-ups/live shots.Audio and/or video editing skills. Ability to shoot/record/edit audio/video for radio & TV platforms.Ability to build, develop, and maintain sources.Knowledge of institutions/communities throughout San Diego & Imperial counties and/or on their assigned beat.Basic computer skills.Basic photography skills and the ability to capture images for digital story illustration. Ability to use and maintain field cameras and related equipment.Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and students.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Level II

All of those listed in Level I above, plus:

Incumbents at Level II will have ALL the skills of Level I PLUS:Well developed sources in institutions/communities throughout San Diego & Imperial counties and/or on beat.Ability to plan for and determine appropriate visual graphic elements for digital and video news stories. Understanding of social media and digital technology and how to tell stories and reach new and diverse audiences. Strong organizational skills. Trained to fill in for one other position in the newsroom.

Minimum Experience: Level I

Two years of progressively responsible experience as a reporter.

Minimum Experience: Level II

Five years of progressively responsible experience as a reporter.

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent training and work in journalism.

Preferred Qualifications & Special Skills

Advanced degree, preferably in journalism or beat-related field(s).Fluency in a language in addition to English, e.g. Spanish, in order to connect to San Diego’s diverse communities.Expertise in analyzing data to find story trends.Track record of accountability-driven journalism, including filing FOIA’s and/or PRA’s.Experience using engagement tools such as Hearken.Demonstrated skills in using video and audio recording equipment, still cameras, and audio and video editing software.Ability to successfully engage audiences via social media.Experience in digital production, including still photography.Journalistic experience on multiple platforms including digital, video and audio reporting.Journalistic experience in public radio or television.Possess some knowledge of current San Diego and regional issues.Five years or more of journalism experience

Additional Applicant Information:

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
  
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
  
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
  
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.
  
• This position is part of the SAG-AFTRA bargaining unit with KPBS.