Executive Reporter, KERO

23ABC (KERO-TV); Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision benefits

Retirement plan with company match

Disability accident insurance

Hospital indemnity

Critical illness

Life insurance

AD&D

ID protection

Pet discount program

Employee assistance program

Job summary

KERO-TV Bakersfield is seeking an experienced Executive Reporter to lead our newsroom into the next chapter of local news. This newly created role blends strong reporting with digital innovation, audience-focused storytelling, and cross-platform leadership, coaching reporters and MMJs, and guiding daily coverage.

You will help shape content strategy, oversee workflows for multiple channels, ensure ethical standards, and build trust with staff while delivering timely, enterprise journalism for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• Seven or more years of newsroom, reporting, content leadership, or related experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and elevate storytelling across the newsroom, helping reporters and MMJs produce impactful, memorable journalism.
• Serve as a central newsroom leader, helping coordinate daily coverage and content priorities.
• Help maintain a constant flow of relevant, timely content across streaming, digital, social, and broadcast platforms.
• Collaborate with newsroom leadership to execute a content strategy focused on audience engagement and community impact.
• Review, edit, and coach story writing for multiple platforms, providing timely and constructive feedback.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen stories through enterprise reporting, visual storytelling, and innovative presentation techniques.
• Develop and oversee workflows that support multiple news programs and content channels.
• Ensure all content meets the highest standards of journalistic ethics, accuracy, fairness, and legal compliance.
• Build trust and credibility with reporters, photographers, producers, and other newsroom staff.
• Contribute to breaking news coverage and provide multi-platform reporting, including on-air coverage when needed.

Skills

Storytelling

Editorial judgment

Audience-focused content

Breaking news experience

Mentoring journalists

Team leadership

Organizational skills

Flexibility with shifts

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism/Communications or related field

Job description

KERO is looking for an experienced journalist to help lead our newsroom into the next chapter of local news. This is a newly created role designed for someone who lives at the intersection of great reporting, digital innovation, and audience-focused storytelling. As Executive Reporter, you'll help drive our daily coverage, keep our streaming and digital platforms fresh and informative, and serve as a key connector across the newsroom. You'll coach reporters and MMJs, strengthen storytelling at every level, and help ensure we're delivering the stories that matter most to California's Central Valley. If you're passionate about journalism's future and believe strong reporting should reach audiences wherever they are, we'd love to meet you.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Lead and elevate storytelling across the newsroom, helping reporters and MMJs produce impactful, memorable journalism.
• Serve as a central newsroom leader, helping coordinate daily coverage and content priorities.
• Help maintain a constant flow of relevant, timely content across streaming, digital, social, and broadcast platforms.
• Collaborate with newsroom leadership to execute a content strategy focused on audience engagement and community impact.
• Review, edit, and coach story writing for multiple platforms, providing timely and constructive feedback.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen stories through enterprise reporting, visual storytelling, and innovative presentation techniques.
• Develop and oversee workflows that support multiple news programs and content channels.
• Ensure all content meets the highest standards of journalistic ethics, accuracy, fairness, and legal compliance.
• Build trust and credibility with reporters, photographers, producers, and other newsroom staff.
• Contribute to breaking news coverage and provide multi-platform reporting, including on-air coverage when needed.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven or more years of newsroom, reporting, content leadership, or related experience preferred.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING:

• Exceptional reporting, writing, and storytelling skills across digital, streaming, social, and broadcast platforms.
• Strong editorial judgment and knowledge of journalistic ethics, media law, and libel standards.
• Deep understanding of audience-focused content strategy and modern news consumption habits.
• Experience operating in fast-moving breaking news environments while maintaining accuracy and fairness.
• A passion for mentoring journalists and helping colleagues grow their skills and confidence.
• Curiosity about the communities, people, and issues that shape California's Central Valley and the stories we cover every day.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends, early mornings, and holidays when news demands it.

OUR TEAM:

KERO is home to journalists who care deeply about serving Bakersfield and the communities of California's Central Valley. We're reporters, storytellers, photographers, producers, and digital content creators who believe local journalism has the power to inform, connect, and make a difference. We value collaboration, curiosity, accountability, and a willingness to embrace new ideas as the industry evolves. Whether we're breaking news, uncovering issues that impact our neighbors, or telling stories that celebrate our community, we're committed to journalism that matters.

WHERE YOU'LL LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY:

Bakersfield offers an authentic California lifestyle with a strong sense of community and room to grow both professionally and personally. As one of California's fastest-growing regions, Bakersfield combines economic opportunity with a cost of living that is more affordable than many of the state's larger metro areas.

Located between Los Angeles, the Central Coast, and the Sierra Nevada mountains, Bakersfield provides easy access to outdoor adventure, weekend getaways, and some of California's most iconic destinations. From hiking and camping to live music, local festivals, and a thriving food scene, Bakersfield offers a unique blend of opportunity, culture, and quality of life for journalists looking to make a meaningful impact.

COMPENSATION RANGE:

Annual Salary: $90,000.00 - 95000

Pursuant to state and local salary transparency laws, the salary range posted is specific to candidates who will perform this work in California.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

• A career path to grow your professional experiences
• Full medical, dental and vision benefits, as well as certain other health and wellness benefits
• Retirement savings plan with company match
• Other key company benefits include disability accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, life insurance, AD&D, ID protection, pet discount program, and employee assistance program. More details about timing and conditions of benefits eligibility and other plan terms and conditions will be provided upon hire.

If you are a current Scripps employee, please do not apply on this site. Please access our internal career site at Worklife > My Info > View Open Positions at Scripps.

SCRIPPS’ COMMITMENT TO A CULTURE THAT CREATES CONNECTION:

AtScripps, we are committed to a culture that reflects the audiences and communities we serve.We are intentional about creating anenvironmentwhereemployees, our audiences and other stakeholders feel valued and inspiredto reach their full potential and create connections. To successfully deliver on this commitment, we must understand and reflect the values and perspectives those around us embody. That process begins by looking inward to build and celebrate a respectful workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging and connection. By continuing to cultivate an environment where all employees have a fair chance to succeed, are included, valued, and seen, we will strengthen the connections that drive positive business impact and align with our core purpose.

ABOUT SCRIPPS:

The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating connection. As one of the nation’s largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in 40+ markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlet Scripps News and popular entertainment brands ION, ION Plus, ION Mystery, Bounce, Grit and Laff. Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach of up to 100% of TV households. Founded in 1878, Scripps is the steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee and its longtime motto is: “Give light and the people will find their own way.”

As an equal employment opportunity employer, The E.W. Scripps Company and its affiliates do not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, color, religion, age, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, citizenship or national origin, and military membership or veteran status, or on any other basis which would be in violation of any applicable federal, state or local law. Furthermore, the company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for the company.