Position Summary:
LAist is looking for a creative and quick-thinking producer for its flagship local program, AirTalk. We serve one of the largest and most diverse public media audiences in the nation, and our goal is to reflect those experiences in the stories we tell and the issues we discuss. The ideal candidate will be clued into the news and issues that affect Southern Californians, with an ear for what makes a great radio segment, a mind for what makes a great digital story, and a vision for bringing the two together. The producer provides primary assistance with the planning, production, and execution of AirTalk, develops signature segments for the show, and identifies guests and conversations that connect to listeners in Southern California and beyond. The successful candidate will have a vision for how to expand those segments beyond radio to the on demand, digital, social media, and live event audiences.
This position sits in the collective bargaining agreement between LAist and Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (“SAG-AFTRA”)
Expected Compensation Range: $36.80 - $42.07 per hour. The exact hourly rate is determined by experience and education related to the role, organizational compensation structure, and internal equity.
Location: On-Site, 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 Responsibility:
- Understands and executes our newsroom’s promise to practice diversity, equity and inclusion in how we assign, report, edit, produce and distribute our journalism That includes working toward a goal of 50% Latinx sourcing
- Coordinates with all AirTalk staff and contributors daily to ensure quality of all productions
- Pitches stories daily. Researches and books newsmakers and guests daily and as assigned by the Senior Producer. Prepares research material for the host
- Ensures that AirTalk’s editorial vision, goals and technical standards are achieved
- Responds quickly to breaking news and developing stories
- Helps to train and mentor News Apprentices, Interns, Associate and Assistant, On-Call and Temp Producers so that everyone follows AirTalk production standards
- Repackages broadcast content for stories beyond air: onto social media, on demand, and LAist.com, thinking creatively about how to use material and audio across platforms
- Writes promos, scripts and edits copy as necessary
- Produces call-in segments; carefully screens callers during broadcast
- Coordinates special projects and series
- Represents AirTalk in maintaining and nurturing relationships both inside the building and out
- Helps facilitate daily & weekly editorial meetings
- Fills in for senior producer when needed and serves as line producer as assigned
- Performs other duties as assigned
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
- 5+ years of journalism, radio, digital and reporting experience
- Demonstrated experience in radio/digital news and feature production, particularly talk shows and special programming
- Demonstrated experience in news gathering, editing and writing
- Experience in personnel supervision and good people skills
Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
- Passion for local, national, and international news
- Ability to manage the program team's calendar and workflow
- Demonstrated ability to work well under daily deadline pressure as well as long-term deadlines
- Ability to work independently
- Team builder and player
- Proven ability to contribute to a positive, diverse, creative, high-performance culture
- Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of a variety of subject areas and people, with an emphasis on the Southern California market
- Excellent news judgment
- Experienced researcher with excellent writing skills
- Ability to evaluate content/quality/sound and act decisively with strong judgment
- Knowledgeable in live broadcast
- Critical reading and listening skills are required
- Become and remain a member in good standing of SAG-AFTRA by the thirtieth (30th) day of employment
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Spanish language skills
- Knowledge of audience research
- Knowledge of public radio is helpful
Reporting To This Position: None
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
- Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
- Physical Demands:
- 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.
- Working Conditions:
LAist (LAist 89.3/LAist.com/LAist Studios) is diverse in race, ethnicity, language, culture, social class, national origin, religious and political belief, age, ability, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation in addition to other markers protected by law.
At LAist, we strive to create an inclusive environment where we all feel pride in who we are and what we do. We are encouraged to show up as we are – always embracing and recognizing that our diversity is what brings us together. Our fundamental commitment to diversity:
- Enriches LAist and provides an atmosphere in which all human potential is valued
- Promotes learning through interactions among people of different backgrounds and many perspectives, and
- Enables the organization to prepare all employees to promote social responsibility, equity, freedom, and productive citizenship in a global society
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage you to apply.
