Media Center South LA Coach

The Annenberg School of Journalism at the University of Southern California seeks a highly qualified adjunct instructor to be one of our Media Center South LA Coaches.

Description:

Work in a fast-paced news environment with journalism students in the Media Center at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism who are producing feature news stories for the Annenberg Media website and social media platforms. This position is primarily working with undergraduate students reporting and writing feature stories about the South LA community for classes that are based in the Media Center. The person also likely would work with students on the Dímelo vertical producing multiplatform, bilingual Spanish content for a youth audience. This position requires someone who is patient and nurturing to students who are still learning the basics. The ideal applicant has experience with writing and editing for digital, a familiarity with the South LA area and Spanish language skills. The job begins with a Jan. 5 training session and then would be a set schedule of 10 hours per week on campus through the end of April when the Spring semester concludes. Shift could be done in a combination of two or three days. 

Job tasks:

• Work one-on-one with student reporters on story development, interviewing, writing, gathering research and b-matter and during the editing process which is handled by other students who serve as the newsroom's editors.

• Offer first reads on digital stories and provide tips on how to make improvements.

• Act as a liaison between the student journalists and student producers or editors who will be responsible for publishing content through Annenberg Media’s platforms.

• Assess student work and interactions with an eye toward ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion in the newsroom at all times.

• Guide students in distributing content through social media and other means.

• Provide consultation on legal, ethical and usage questions. 

• Conduct workshops for students.

Qualifications:

• Degree required: BA or BS

• At least five years of journalism experience. 

• Experience producing high-quality multiplatform stories.

• Digital, social and multimedia experience preferred.

• Spanish speaker or multilingual a plus.

• Familiarity with South Los Angeles a plus.

• Familiarity with AP Stylebook.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, addressed to Professor Christina Bellantoni, Director of the Annenberg Media Center, describing their background, interests and areas of expertise, and an up-to-date resume or curriculum vitae through USC’s job site.

The hourly range for this position is $36.37 – $45.46. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC reserves the “Adjunct” appointment for faculty teaching less than full-time at USC, who are employed full-time in a primary profession or career elsewhere. Adjunct faculty typically teach only one course per year, but in exceptional cases, may teach one course per semester, if approved by the dean.

The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is among the nation’s leading institutions devoted to the study of communication, journalism and public relations.  With an enrollment of 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students, USC Annenberg scholars, both students and faculty, are defining these fields for the 21st century and beyond.