KPBS Public Matters Reporter I, II or III at San Diego State University Research Foundation – San Diego, California

San Diego State University Research Foundation
KPBS Public Matters Reporter I, II or III

US-CA-San Diego

Job ID: 2026-20063
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)
Reporter III: $36.40 - $42.01 per hour ($75,712 - $87,380.80 per year)

This position is scheduled to close on 3/17/26 at 4:00pm (PST)

This position is grant-funded for the next two years. We anticipate continued employment thereafter, dependent on funding.

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.

Under the supervision of the Public Matters Editor and the direction of the Managing Editor, the Public Matters Reporter is responsible for covering issues related to democracy, governance, civic engagement, and elections. This position reports on the essential elements of a functioning democracy, examining both its impact on communities and the threats it faces, with a strong emphasis on people-centered storytelling.

The Public Matters Reporter produces journalism that explores why people participate in civic life, as well as barriers that prevent or discourage engagement. Coverage areas may include, but are not limited to, censorship, political extremism, polarization and its effects on civic participation, race and racism, socioeconomic inequities, threats to elected officials and election workers, the role of journalism in a democracy, voter access and registration laws, freedom of speech, and the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

Stories are distributed across digital, mobile, social media, and broadcast platforms. Content may be produced in a variety of formats, including daily news spots, enterprise reporting, in-depth features, video packages, and multimedia projects, as assigned.

The successful candidate is driven to inform and engage audiences through compelling, accurate, and impactful journalism. The reporter collaborates closely with the Public Matters team, other newsroom staff, and KPBS departments, and may partner with journalists from external news organizations.

The Public Matters Reporter may also be assigned to support other newsroom functions, including anchoring, hosting, reporting, or producing. This role may include appearing as a guest or host on KPBS digital and broadcast programs. The reporter produces local content for distribution across all KPBS platforms and may be expected to participate in on-air fundraising activities and represent KPBS at community events.

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%)

Produce spot news, feature reports, enterprise stories, cut and copy, field packages, photos, video and audio. Under the direction of the Public Matters Editor, align reporting with the KPBS Strategic Plan, Editorial Vision and Public Matters initiative. Research topics, analyze data, develop contacts and interview sources, write and edit stories, and produce and voice reports for radio, television and digital platforms.Apply a digital-first approach while producing content in formats appropriate for online and broadcast distribution, including live on-air reports, copy, actuality, cut & copy, voicers, wraps, features, series, and studio two-ways.Maintain the highest standards of journalistic integrity, accuracy, fairness and storytelling excellence.

Planning (15%)

Monitor developments and emerging trends on the Public Matters beat, with particular attention to ongoing and previously covered issues. Maintain contact lists and files to ensure continuity and depth of knowledge and coverage.Collaborate with editors, reporters, producers and digital and broadcast teams to develop story ideas and play coverage across platforms.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned (5%)

Attend meetings and represent the station at public events.Maintain appropriate records, correspondence and documentation, and ensure proper care and use of assigned equipment and supplies.Perform other duties as assigned in support of newsroom and organizational operations.

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
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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Level II
Incumbents at Level III will have all the skills of Level I and II plus:

Demonstrated ability in writing broadcast scripts and web stories. Demonstrated ability in voicing for TV/radio and doing TV stand-ups/live shots.Demonstrated ability in shooting/recording/editing audio/video for radio & TV platforms.Regularly (3-5 times monthly) shoots and edits daily packages and features for TV.Strong, diverse sourcing in institutions/communities throughout San Diego & Imperial counties and/or on beat.Ability to quickly research and incorporate subject matter expertise into news coverage.Ability to authoritatively conduct live news coverage for both radio and TV during breaking news.Ability to do in-depth research/reporting and develop innovative solutions to complex news stories.Broad knowledge of resources and techniques on how to deliver news through digital platforms.Ability to act as a substitute editor during vacations or other editor absences.Ability to mentor young reporters and students in the newsroom.

Minimum Experience

Level I: Two years of progressively responsible experience as a reporter.Level II: Five years of progressively responsible experience as a reporter.Level III: 10 years of progressively responsible experience as a reporter.

Minimum Education: Level I, II or III

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent training and work in journalism.

Preferred Qualifications & Special Skills

Five years as a reporter with experience in enterprise reporting. Previous public media experience.Experience with digital audio and video editing software, content management system and social media.Broad knowledge of San Diego, regional and California news.Ability to write for digital audiences, and produce audio and video.Strong knowledge of journalistic standards and practices and the editorial, technical, logistical processes required to create content.Ability to collaborate across-departments on special projects or organization initiatives.Ability to work in an often fast-paced newsroom environment with changing deadlines and priorities. 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.Ability to successfully engage audiences via social media.Journalistic experience on multiple platforms including digital, video and audio reporting.Journalistic experience in public radio or television.

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.