POSITION: Beat Reporter, South Kern Sol (http://www.southkernsol.org/)
LOCATION: Bakersfield, CA
HOURS: Part-time at 20 hours per week
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: South Kern Sol was launched in 2011 to train young people living in South Kern County in media production skills, and to provide a distribution outlet to share their stories with a wider audience. South Kern Sol writers, who range in age from 15 to 24, are provided an opportunity to report on and discuss the issues closest to them and their communities, while also developing communication and leadership skills. These components are essential to building a base of knowledge that can empower and grow the capacity of youth in South Kern to impact change in their community.
South Kern Sol operates under the umbrella of Pacific News Service dba New America Media (NAM), a non-profit news organization founded in 1970 that has since evolved to become a multimedia organization dedicated to inclusive journalism and communications in a global society, through growing the capacity of the ethnic media and youth media sectors.
THE POSITION: New America Media seeks a local resident of South Kern County who can take the part-time role Beat Reporter for South Kern Sol. The Beat Reporter will work collaboratively with and report to the Program Manager/Editor currently on staff.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:
Media/Journalism Production:
File at least three stories a month (print articles or multimedia pieces) for publication on South Kern Sol.
Be available for field assignments from the South Kern Sol Program Manager/Editor on short notice — a “rapid responder” to cover breaking news or other time-sensitive content needs, as needed.
Be in regular communication with South Kern Sol Program Manager/Editor to develop story ideas, and edit articles, using South Kern Sol’s office space – located within the Lamont Boys and Girls Club – as a base of operations.
Explore platforms and strategies to promote distribution of media content, including social media.
Content produced by Beat Reporter should focus on issues broadly defined under the scope of “community health” in South Kern County as indicated by Program Manager, NAM and local Building Healthy Community (BHC) campaigns.
Youth Training/Development:
Support Program Manager in implementing a youth media curriculum that emphasizes community reporting and journalism, story research, development of individual voice / opinion, and critical thinking skills.
Support Program Manager in sourcing additional stories (print articles or multimedia) from like-minded community contributors not in the core youth cohort.
Support Program Manager to ensure youth receive adequate writing/editorial, technical and mentoring support to complete assignments.
Honor the principles of youth development, including emotional/physical safety, healthy relationship building, leadership development, community involvement and skills building.
Support Program Manager to ensure the program provides a safe space for youth reporters and staff.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Excellent writing and editing skills a must
Journalism experience highly desired
Familiarity with Final Cut Pro, and/or other digital editing tools
Adeptness with social media tools (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc)
Able to work independently, a self-starter, complete deliverables without constant supervision
Familiarity with and connection to communities in and around South Kern County and the general Central Valley
Bilingual English / Spanish a plus
Bachelor’s Degree and/or equivalent professional experience a plus but not required
In possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to travel within California and the Central Valley occasionally
COMPENSATION: Dependent on Experience. This is a part-time position.
How to apply
TO APPLY: Email a cover letter and resume to NAM Human Resources at humanresources@newamericamedia.org. Please include South Kern Sol Beat Reporter in the subject line of your email.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Aug. 10, 2015