Senior Community Engagement Producer

This is a Full Time Job

DESCRIPTION:

Your Role:

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 senior producer of community engagement implements engaged journalism strategies by managing the day-to-day work of LAist’s award-winning community engagement team and working closely with the organization’s managers, editors, and producers. They 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 help senior leaders explore new membership models, look for novel, effective ways to enlarge and diversify the LAist community, and support a community-centered approach throughout the newsroom. This role also supports the LAist internship program.

Work Location: Pasadena, CA | Hybrid
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.

---

Your Responsibilities:

• Increase transparency and visibility of LAist reporting efforts in order to deepen the audience relationships.
• Champion LAist audience modes and work with content staff to implement engagement opportunities across platforms.
• Help reporters and editors identify specific communities to engage with across a range of beats and on special projects.
• Grow and diversify LAist sourcing including, but not limited to, expansion and implementation of engaged source database.
• Work closely with newsroom leaders and staff to execute best practices for community engagement across platforms.
• Assist in editing digital stories, newsletters, and social media.
• Produce, facilitate, participate in, and/or support community engagement events and tabling opportunities as needed.
• Cultivate relationships with community organizations.
• Oversee use of LAist engagement tools, including but not limited to Hearken, Reach, and Typeform.
• Oversee LAist internship program.
• Communicate the vision for the engagement team in collaboration with senior newsroom leaders and collaborate with other teams to advance vision.
• Support fundraising needs as appropriate.
• Assist in managing engagement-related grant deliverables.

---

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 5 years or more of relevant work experience and/or news or journalism work (preferably in daily newsroom) with some editing experience.
• Published print, radio, video, or web stories.

---

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Ability to establish relationships with the public in various ways (meetings, phone, online, etc.).
• Demonstrated skill in effective writing and public speaking.
• Ability to synthesize data and find trends.
• Passion for news and knowledge of current events from following the news daily.
• Ability to work independently and manage projects.
• Team approach and diplomatic sensibility.
• Sharp editing skills.

---

Reporting To This Position:

• Producer, Community Engagement
• Engagement Producer, Early Childhood
• Engagement Producer, Partnerships

---

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Must be available to work evenings and weekends.
• Some national and regional travel is required.
• Must be able to work a flexible work schedule.