Education Reporter, CVJC English Language Learner Lab - Central Valley Journalism Collaborative

Duration: Two-Year Position (with potential for extension)

The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative is seeking a dedicated and passionate reporter to cover English Language Learner (EL) communities in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The ideal candidate will be fluent in Spanish and possess a deep understanding of the cultural and educational landscapes that impact EL communities.

The CVJC English Learner Reporting Lab reporter position is an exciting opportunity for a journalist to dive into a number of meaty issues. This reporter will have a knack for telling stories centered on people impacted by these issues as well as those working to address the Valley’s many challenges. This reporter will have a proven ability to develop sources and build community connections, as well as demonstrate curiosity about issues affecting communities and cultures in the Central Valley that are not often seen in mainstream media. This reporter must be deadline-oriented and able to balance quick-hit spot coverage with deeper-dive enterprise reporting projects.

The San Joaquin Valley boasts one of the most diverse student populations in California. A significant number of these students face unique challenges navigating their education as English language learners (EL students). Understanding their experiences and highlighting the barriers impacting their success is foundational to improving the Valley’s educational attainment, which lags the rest of the state.

Key responsibilities:

• Reporting and Writing: Produce in-depth, accurate, and compelling stories about EL communities, focusing on education, community issues, success stories, and policy impacts.

• Multimedia Journalism: Utilize various platforms including text, audio, video, and social media to effectively tell stories and reach diverse audiences.

• Data-driven reporting: The reporter will dive into the data on EL student demographics, academic performance and access to resources, creating compelling narratives that highlight disparities and successes.

• Explanatory storytelling: The reporter will produce in-depth, explanatory stories that spotlight the lived experiences of EL students, their families, and educators. This could involve classroom observations, interviews with stakeholders, and investigations into specific issues like funding gaps or ineffective programs. The EL reporter will work alongside an EL community engagement project manager. The work of the EL community engagement project manager will help the reporter surface story-worth topics and connect the reporter with sources.

• Community engagement: Partnering with the EL community engagement project manager, the project outreach will develop strategies to reach diverse audiences with the reported stories. This could include community forums, social media campaigns, and partnerships with local organizations serving EL families.

• Focus on solutions: While acknowledging the challenges, the reporting will also highlight successful programs, innovative practices, and community initiatives that are supporting EL students' academic success and social integration.

• Collaboration: Work closely with editors, photographers, and other team members to develop story ideas and deliver high-quality content.

• Coverage Area: Focus on EL communities across the San Joaquin Valley, including urban and rural areas, with potential travel within the region.

Qualifications:

• Language Proficiency: Fluency in Spanish and English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills in both languages.

• Journalism Experience: Proven experience in journalism, preferably covering education, community issues, or similar topics.

• Cultural Competence: Strong understanding of the cultural, social, and economic factors affecting ELL communities.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in multimedia journalism tools and platforms, including video production, photography, and social media.

• Research Skills: Ability to conduct thorough research and present complex information in an accessible and engaging manner.

• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent interviewing skills and the ability to build rapport with diverse sources.

• Education: A degree in journalism, communications, or equivalent experience

• Strong understanding about issues related to bilingual communities’ experience in educational or social service systems

• Travel: This hybrid position is based in Fresno, CA. Driving to other Central Valley/San Joaquin Valley locations will be required.

Bonus Points for:

• Multi-platform experience, such as podcasting, photography, video production or data visualization.

• Ability to write in Spanish at native-level fluency and/or translate between English and Spanish.

• Familiarity with the San Joaquin Valley

• Experience using social platforms such as Whatsapp to develop sources and reach coverage communities.

Compensation and Benefits 

• Full-time exempt position with starting salary of $65k-75k annually with excellent benefits (100% medical coverage for employees, 50% coverage for dependents) provided to qualified candidates who meet the minimum requirements 

• Professional development, training, and conferences offered for staff

• Starting at two weeks of vacation with generous sick, holidays and additional personal days to use as needed 

• Retirement with employer contribution

• Relocation assistance available for the right candidate

• Professional development, training, and conferences offered for staff in related professional field 

• Mileage reimbursement will be provided

CVJC is an equal opportunity employer and fosters a workplace without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic. CVJC also follows and adheres to the latest COVID safety measure per federal, state, and local county guidelines.

About the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative
Launched by the James B. McClatchy Foundation (JBMF) in 2021, the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative (CVJC) is a nonprofit infrastructure dedicated to ensuring public service journalism thrives in California’s Central Valley. CVJC publishes The Merced FOCUS and operates a Health Equity Reporting Lab in the northern San Joaquin Valley. It also supports Valley newsrooms through grants and training programs. 

CVJC is funded in partnership with the following supporters:

• James B. McClatchy Foundation
• The James Irvine Foundation
• Microsoft Local Journalism Initiative
• Central Valley Community Foundation
• California Health Care Foundation
• Sobrato Philanthropies

This seed funding is designed to not only launch the CVJC and partner newsrooms, but to provide the support needed to build sustainability for the long term.

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