Executive Reporter, KERO

Media Networks, Inc.; 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 and life insurance

Job summary

KERO seeks an Executive Reporter in Bakersfield to lead our newsroom into a new era of local journalism. You will drive daily coverage, oversee streaming and digital platforms, and mentor reporters and MMJs while upholding ethical and legal standards.

This role connects newsroom leadership with content strategy to deliver impactful California Central Valley stories. The position requires strong journalism fundamentals, newsroom leadership experience, and a passion for innovative storytelling

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven+ years of newsroom, reporting, content leadership, or related experience preferred.
• Experience across digital, streaming, social, and broadcast platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead and elevate storytelling across the newsroom and coach reporters and MMJs.
• Coordinate daily coverage and content priorities across platforms.
• Review, edit, and coach story writing for multiple platforms with timely feedback.
• Develop workflows and content strategies focused on audience engagement and community impact.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Mentoring reporters

Storytelling across platforms

Audience-focused content strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism or Communications

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 timi

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