News Reporter, De Los (Temporary)

The Los Angeles Times is seeking a temporary reporter to join our growing team of journalists working on De Los, an initiative focused on building relationships with the Latino community.

De Los, through reporting, social media and stunning visual display, brings to life the vibrancy of the U.S. Latino experience with a focus on culture and identity. This treasured space for Latino storytelling builds on the success of the Latinx Files newsletter, digital Día de Muertos altar and packages on the Chicano Moratorium, Fernandomania @ 40 and LA Vanguardia. The initiative is multi-platformed in approach, with rich visual storytelling, provocative commentary and live events. 

The successful candidate will have experience working in Latino or Spanish-language news media or have prior experience writing on topics that focus on the Latino community, with a strong interest in real-time news. They should be willing to adapt to what audiences are engaging with, while being able to identify the topics that will spark engagement within our community. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. 

This essential role requires a journalist who is comfortable juggling multiple stories a day and collaborating with colleagues. Self-starters who take the initiative to identify and move on news without it being assigned are encouraged to apply, as are those who are tirelessly resourceful at gathering information to both tell and advance a story. This reporter will work closely with our breaking news team, focusing on topics of interest to Latino communities in Los Angeles and beyond.

Responsibilities:

• Report and write breaking and trending news stories 
• Identify unique angles that will advance a news story beyond what other outlets have already reported
• Write engaging headlines and SEO components with a digital, diverse audience in mind
• Respect and meet tight deadlines that will include brisk turnarounds on edits for what could be multiple news posts each day
  

Requirements:

• A minimum of two years of experience writing in a professional newsroom setting
• Excellent skills in news writing and reporting, combining strong news judgment, fluency in style and deep knowledge of taste and legal considerations
• Experience writing on Latino topics or working with Latino or Spanish-language media outlets
• Ability to foster excellent communication with peers, supervisors and the newsroom
• Ability to navigate digital platforms and stay on top of current issues and trends, including use of TikTok and Instagram 
• A sense of excitement around developing ideas and experimenting with different ways to tell a story
• Proven ability to work well in a team setting and juggle multiple tasks in a deadline-driven environment
• An ethical and inclusive approach in the workplace that promotes collaboration
• An understanding of audience data and experience using metrics to inform strategy and editorial decisions

This full-time, temporary position is expected to start in January or February and last six months. It will be based in El Segundo, Calif. Occasional night and weekend work is possible. 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 submit a resume, cover letter and applicable clips to Editorial Director Fidel Martinez. Your cover letter should outline, in brief terms, what skills you’d bring to the position and why you want to work for De Los.