Department: News
Status: Full-Time
End Date: May 31, 2025

About CapRadio

CapRadio is a mission-driven public media organization that exists to create more informed, involved and educated communities. It is the only nonprofit broadcaster in the region that operates a 20-person local newsroom and develops locally-produced news, classical music and jazz shows. It connects with communities through 32 radio broadcast towers, live streaming, newsletters, on-demand audio, live experiences and more. CapRadio is recognized for its fact-based, nonpartisan news coverage, state politics and government accountability reporting that is aired daily by NPR stations throughout California, hyperlocal community-engaged journalism and locally-hosted classical music and jazz programs. Each week, nearly 500,000 people in the greater Sacramento region choose CapRadio as a valued source of news, storytelling, music and events. It is an auxiliary organization of Sacramento State University.

About The Position

CapRadio is hiring two reporters to help us do what we do best: Create more informed, involved and educated communities across Sacramento and Central Valley. CapRadio reporters are responsible for producing in-depth, context-driven journalism across multiple platforms, including audio, text, and digital formats. They cover daily news, features, and enterprise projects, ensuring high-quality reporting that meets the editorial standards of the newsroom. Reporters demonstrate proficiency in daily and breaking news coverage, spot news writing, feature writing, cut-and-copy scripts, voicers, and live on-air debriefs. They also produce compelling digital content, including web stories, and newsletters. In addition to reporting, journalists in this role contribute to daily news planning, staying informed on local and national developments through multiple sources. They work collaboratively across newsroom roles, engaging with colleagues of varying experience levels. Reporters must be able to adapt to different assignments and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Most of your output will be short-form daily news, but you’ll also have the space to produce a monthly long-form piece that dives deeper into the stories that shape life in Sacramento and the Central Valley. Experience in broadcast reporting — whether audio or video — is essential.

Essential Functions

Content Creation:

• Research, write, record audio, edit, and produce high-quality news content for multiple platforms (broadcast, digital, newsletter and social media).
• Generate original story ideas and enterprise content.

Field Reporting:

• Conduct on-the-ground reporting, including interviews, live coverage, and real-time updates.
• Gather audio content to enhance storytelling and occasional photographic content as assigned by news leadership.

Story Development:

• Identify and pitch compelling stories aligned with audience interests and newsroom priorities.
• Develop stories from inception to publication, ensuring accuracy and fairness.

Live Broadcasting:

• Deliver live reports and breaking news coverage, providing clear and concise information.

Editing and Production:

• Use editing software to finalize stories with strong sound.
• Produce multi-platform content tailored to specific audiences.

Digital Engagement:

• Write web and newsletter articles, occasionally contributing to the creation of social media posts.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with producers, editors, and hosts/anchors to create cohesive stories.  Communicate effectively with newsroom teams for seamless workflow.

Ethics and Accuracy:

• Adhere to journalistic standards, including fact-checking and ethical reporting.
• Stay updated on newsroom policies and legal guidelines. 

Essential Responsibilities

CapRadio reporters are key contributors to the station’s broadcast, digital, and newsletter platforms, producing high-quality journalism that informs and engages the audience.

Within 90 days of employment, reporters will meet the below standards.

Participation in Newsroom Activities:

• Attend and actively contribute to daily editorial meetings.
• Participate in weekly check-in meetings with their supervisor.
• Engage in monthly newsletter and digital pitch meetings.
• Contribute to monthly CapRadio Network pitch meetings.
• Contribute to monthly Insight pitch meetings for feature storytelling opportunities.
• Assist with live and recorded coverage of breaking news, special events, or severe weather, as needed and at the discretion of news leadership

Content Production:

• Pitch and create content for newscast and website

Additional Duties:

• Ensure all content adheres to CapRadio’s Content Policy, including established guidelines for articles, photos, and broadcasts.
• Collaborate across teams to meet the station's journalistic standards and deliver consistent, high-quality storytelling.
• Adapt to newsroom priorities by producing timely and accurate reports in fast-paced situations.
• Stay informed on current events and engage in ongoing professional development to maintain excellence in reporting.

Required Knowledge/Experience/Qualifications

• Professional experience as broadcast, print and/or online journalist, including news reporting, editing and production.
• Excellent reporting skills.
• Excellent news writing skills; the ability to write quickly and accurately, with an understanding of tone and style across platforms; proficiency using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and pronunciation
• Ability to accurately communicate facts and verify information.
• Excellent news judgment.
• Good editing skills.
• Strong time management skills.
• Thorough command of journalistic principles, ethics and standards.
• Strong command of sound editing and radio production techniques.
• High proficiency of on-air voicing skills.
• Ability to interview and communicate with a variety of individuals.
• Ability to research and communicate through a variety of mobile and digital tools.  Ability to meet deadlines and goals while working under pressure
• Proven collaboration skills — which are essential in working with fellow CapRadio staffers across departments and with partner organizations
• Ability to stay organized and prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects at once.  California driver’s license and evidence of insurability.

Background Check

CapRadio will require employment and education verification for each new hire.

You must be able to commute to our Sacramento, CA office on a regular basis.

Salary

The reporter’s role is an hourly, non-exempt position. The annual salary for this role is $66,650.

CapRadio also offers:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Retirement plan with employer matching
• Paid holidays
• Flexible Vacation
• Paid sick leave
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending plan for health and dependent care