Multimedia Journalist, Community and Culture

Lehigh Valley Public Media•Bethlehem, PA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Multimedia Journalist, Community and Culture covers the lived experiences, cultural identities, and community stories that reflect a changing Lehigh Valley. This beat is anchored in the region's growing Latino community and the broader demographic shifts reshaping Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and surrounding areas -- showing up inside housing, healthcare, education, economic development, and civic life rather than existing as a separate lane. The journalist in this role is bilingual in English and Spanish, produces original content across all platforms, and brings an inside perspective to stories that too often get told from the outside.

Requirements

Strong writer and storyteller in both English and Spanish, able to produce across formats and adapt tone and length for each platform.
Able to shoot and capture photos and video in the field to a publishable standard.
Comfortable recording and editing audio for podcast and digital distribution.
Creates social-native content that engages audiences on the platforms where they are.
Strong source builder who develops genuine, trust-based relationships within Latino and immigrant communities.
Solid grounding in journalism ethics, accuracy, fairness, and editorial standards.
Deep understanding of the Lehigh Valley's Latino community, immigrant populations, and the demographic shifts shaping the region, or a demonstrated ability to develop that knowledge quickly.
Understanding of how content distributes differently across digital, newsletter, audio, video, and social platforms.
Familiarity with the cultural, civic, and community organizations serving Latino and immigrant residents in the Lehigh Valley.
At least two (2) to three (3) years of professional journalism or content experience, including reporting, writing, and multimedia production.
Fluency in English and Spanish required -- ability to report, write, and produce content in both languages.
Demonstrated experience producing content across more than one format -- text, audio, video, or social.
Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Curious
Dependable
Community-minded
Brings genuine connection and cultural fluency to the communities they cover -- this beat requires someone who earns trust from the inside, not the outside.
Approaches the work with a can-do attitude and figures out how to get things done across formats, languages, and deadlines.
Works well independently and as part of a collaborative team and is easy to edit.
May be asked to work longer hours and occasional weekends, particularly for tentpole events, community programming, and breaking coverage.
A valid driver’s license and a good driving record as determined by a driver’s license background check is required for this position.
All team members must successfully pass a background check (7 years), FBI fingerprint clearance and PA child clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience covering Latino communities, immigration, or community and culture beats strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Own the Community and Culture beat, developing deep knowledge of the Lehigh Valley's Latino community, immigrant populations, and the demographic and cultural shifts shaping the region.
Build and maintain a strong, diverse source network rooted in the community -- including residents, community leaders, cultural organizations, faith communities, and advocates.
Report and produce original content consistently across digital, newsletter, audio, and video formats, meeting deadlines and editorial standards.
Pitch story ideas regularly and work with the Content Lead and Director of Content to develop and execute a beat coverage plan that connects community and culture stories to LVPM's broader editorial themes.
Cover stories at the intersection of community and culture with housing, healthcare, education, economic development, and civic life -- following the community into every theme rather than covering culture as a separate topic.
Produce content in both English and Spanish, reaching Spanish-speaking audiences across LVPM's platforms.
Create and capture social-native content -- short-form video, photos, and clips -- from the field and from finished stories, in coordination with the Social Media Coordinator.
Adapt and repackage stories across formats and languages to maximize reach and audience engagement.
Represent LVPM at community events, cultural celebrations, civic meetings, and organizational gatherings relevant to the beat.
Serve as a bridge between LVPM and Spanish-speaking communities, helping to build trust and ensure those communities see themselves reflected in LVPM's content.
Collaborate with the Community Engagement Lead on outreach, correspondent development, and engagement initiatives aimed at Latino and immigrant communities.
Contribute to LVPM's newsletters by providing beat content, story summaries, and updates in both English and Spanish where appropriate.
All other duties as assigned.