The Los Angeles Times has an opening for a temporary reporter to cover entertainment and arts.
This general assignment role will have two primary lanes: arts news, features and guides and breaking entertainment news. One day this reporter may focus on a quick-turn obituary, pivoting to a new museum opening the next. All the while, this journalist may be working on an evergreen guide that takes several reporting trips across Los Angeles to finalize over time. This flexible self-starter will also be skilled in and excited by vertical video production and contributing to a weekly newsletter. The workload will include stories conceived by the writer and those assigned by an editor.
Responsibilities:
- Report and write stories across a variety of entertainment and arts subject areas, with an ability to turn around breaking news, step-backs, explainers, news features, analysis, guides and, when appropriate, investigations
- Cultivate sources and contacts to aid in the execution of a range of stories
- Contribute to the Essential Arts newsletter
- Identify unique angles that will advance a story beyond what other outlets have already reported
- Demonstrate an ability and willingness to cover subject matter outside one’s knowledge or comfort zone
- Write engaging headlines and SEO components with a digital, diverse audience in mind
- Work with fellow writers, editors, audience engagement staff and other reporters to achieve department and organizational goals
Requirements:
- A minimum of two and up to five years of reporting experience
- Proven ability to frame stories in fresh and fun ways
- Skilled at turning around breaking news assignments quickly on tight deadlines
- Demonstrated ability to file both formal breaking news coverage and features and guides with detail, texture and voice
- A knack for obtaining compelling art and writing headlines that grab the attention of busy readers
- An adventurous spirit and desire to explore, which translates to some regional travel
- Willingness to maintain a flexible schedule in order to attend night and weekend events
- Core journalism skills such as accuracy, ability to meet deadline and desire to contribute to breaking news coverage
- A demonstrated commitment to high ethical standards
- Comfortable appearing on TV, radio and podcasts on behalf of the L.A. Times
This temporary position is expected to last six months and will be based in El Segundo, Calif. Occasional night and weekend work is expected. Reporters must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle in good working condition, with suitable auto insurance coverage.
Qualified candidates should send a resume, cover letter and applicable clips to Entertainment and Arts Editor Brittany Levine Beckman and Deputy Editor Maane Khatchatourian.
The L.A. Times is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We actively work to create an inclusive environment where all of our employees can thrive. This Privacy Notice for Los Angeles Times sets forth how we will use the information we obtain when you apply for a position with us. Explore our company history, achievement, values, mission and more on our career site.
The pay scale the Company reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of the posting is $32.90 to $40.54 and takes into account a wide range of factors including but not limited to skill set, experience, training, licenses, certifications, and other business or organizational needs. Compensation will be determined based on the above factors along with the requirements of the position. At the L.A. Times, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role. Please visit our career site to view the benefits available to our employees. We recommend adding our applicant tracking system domain (@dayforce.com) as a safe sender or contact, sometimes these emails get filtered to candidates' spam folders.
