Community Reporter, Times of San Diego

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About the position

The community reporter is a curious, versatile and digitally savvy journalist who will join the Times of San Diego team. Times of San Diego is a nonprofit news organization based in San Diego, California. This role will require the ability to identify high-interest topics, build trust in diverse communities, and develop original, relevant stories with deep impact. The ideal candidate will have experience cultivating sources and producing accurate, clear, and compelling content under deadline pressure. We need a team player invested in the future of local news — one who embraces experimentation and is enthusiastic about using digital tools and social media to reach and grow audiences across multiple platforms. Times of San Diego launched in 2014, joined NEWSWELL in 2024 and joined forces with the San Diego Community Newspaper Group earlier this year. NEWSWELL helps newsrooms become nonprofit and for community. It provides strategic guidance, innovative solutions, and wrap-around operations so local journalists can focus on local news, and newsrooms can best serve their communities. NEWSWELL partners with Arizona State University, the nation’s most innovative 10 years in a row, to offer game-changing ideas, tools and research. NEWSWELL transforms local news to help communities and democracy thrive. The pay range for this role is \$24.75-\$25/hour

Responsibilities

  • Cover community news and events in San Diego’s unique neighborhoods and regions. This includes covering public meetings, local businesses, and the issues affecting neighborhoods and their residents’ lived experiences.
  • Identify original angles on popular topics before reporting out those ideas into engaging stories that reach a broad audience of curious readers.
  • Engage with community members throughout San Diego County to uncover untold stories and deepen the understanding of the issues affecting the area.
  • Seek to hold local institutions and public agencies and officials accountable while also highlighting possible solutions.
  • Produce breaking news and short‑term enterprise while juggling longer features and community-driven projects.
  • Work collaboratively across teams — including staff in San Diego and at NEWSWELL, along with external partners.
  • Take photos and videos as needed.
  • Utilize analytics tools (such as Parse.ly ) to understand story impact and reader interest.
  • Represent Times of San Diego at public events or outreach efforts.
  • Ensure all content is fact checked and meets ethical journalism standards.
  • Create an inclusive work environment that values diversity, fosters belonging, empowers others and nourishes a culture that pushes for and celebrates wins.
  • Foster a culture of innovation by harnessing fresh ideas and experimenting with new tools, technologies and techniques that enhance digital and social media storytelling.
  • Drive audience engagement through social media, SEO and immersive reporting experiences.

Requirements

  • Strong reporting and writing skills, with a keen eye for detail, a commitment to accuracy and solid news judgment.
  • Ability to multitask and excel under deadline pressure, using time efficiently.
  • Demonstrated passion for local news and a commitment to serving the community.
  • Strong command of Associated Press style and the rules of grammar.
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in journalism or related field related or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • At least one to two years of experience in a newsroom, including reporting and/or assigning stories.
  • Experience managing print calendars to ensure timely coverage that fills set space for weekly or semi-weekly newspapers.

Nice-to-haves

  • One to two years of reporting experience, including some local government coverage.
  • Knowledge of San Diego communities and local issues are a plus.
  • Spanish language skills are a plus but not required.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work schedule. We work from home two days a week!
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution
  • 22 days of vacation time
  • 11 holidays, including your birthday
  • Parental leave
  • Significant tuition reductions
  • Professional development is highly valued at ASU Enterprise Partners, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest
  • \$30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement
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