Community Engagement Producer

This is a Full Time Job

Position Summary:

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”)

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.

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.
• 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.