Community Impact & Solutions Reporter

Based on-site and working under the direct supervision of the Executive Vice President of Esperanza’s multi-service community campus and the editorial direction of Impacto’s Editor-in-Chief, this role delivers in-depth, hyperlocal journalism by identifying, investigating, and covering issues that directly affect the communities Impacto serves.

About Impacto

Based in Hunting Park, North Philadelphia, Impacto Media is Philadelphia’s Latino newspaper of record. Founded in 2003 by a group of community activists and leaders, it was acquired and relaunched in 2020 with a focus on community journalism. Impacto distributes three print editions per month in Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania, with weekly digital editions and ongoing online content. It is the leading newspaper delivered door-to-door in North Philadelphia and at other drop locations in the city and state, free of charge. By amplifying local voices and expanding access to critical news, Impacto ensures a more informed community that can be engaged in cultural, civic, and community affairs.

Impacto Media Foundation and Impacto Ads, LLC are owned by Nueva Esperanza, Inc. through a structure designed to provide community-based oversight while preserving editorial independence. Esperanza is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening Hispanic communities and all who live within them, and to expanding opportunities for the individuals, families, and neighborhoods it has served for more than 40 years.

Responsibilities

• Research, report, and write community-focused news articles, feature stories, profiles, service journalism, and investigative pieces.
• Adapt stories as needed to a variety of multimedia formats.
• Cultivate and maintain trusted relationships with residents, community leaders, local organizations, public agencies, and other sources.
• Maintain a consistent presence in the communities served by attending neighborhood meetings, community events, public forums, and other relevant activities.
• Identify and investigate hyperlocal issues, trends, inequities, and emerging challenges affecting Latino communities in North Philadelphia and other communities served by Impacto Media.
• Develop in-depth stories that examine inequities, barriers to opportunity, access to public services, and community resources.
• Conduct interviews, review public records and other source materials, verify information, and maintain accurate documentation supporting reported stories.
• Proactively initiate content for recurring columns and community-information features (i.e., “Apoyo lo Local” “Support Local” or “Tu Voz, Tu Voto” “Your Voice, Your Vote”), ensuring that content remains accurate, timely, and responsive to residents’ needs.
• Take ownership to stay informed about programs, services, events, resources, and emerging opportunities throughout Esperanza’s Opportunity Community ecosystem, other non-profits and institutions that impact daily life for Latinos in North Philadelphia and the surrounding neighborhood.
• Translate complex information—including public policies, government programs, services, and community resources—into clear, accessible, and culturally relevant pieces.
• Collaborate with the editorial team and communications advocates to align coverage with community needs and priorities.
• Carry assigned stories through the research, reporting, writing, and revision process and submit completed work for editorial review and final publication approval promptly.
• Support the distribution and visibility of the publication in the community at community events, among local programs, and within designated communities.
• Coordinate with the Special Projects Coordinator who directly works with distribution companies as needed to resolve any challenges.
• Collaborate to monitor community response to published stories, gather audience feedback, and recommend follow-up coverage to the Editor-in-Chief.
• Uphold Impacto Media’s editorial standards, journalistic ethics, policies and procedures, commitment to editorial independence, and community-focused mission.
• Perform other reporting, community engagement, and organizational duties as assigned, including development of new initiatives.

Requirements

• Bilingual in English and Spanish, with strong written and verbal communication skills in both.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience will also be considered.
• Strong skills in multimedia journalism, including quality video production for interviews and social media, and the ability to edit.
• Demonstrated reporting experience, preferably within a hyperlocal, community-based, or culturally specific news environment.
• Experience conducting interviews, developing sources, researching complex issues, fact-checking information, and producing accurate, well-supported stories.
• Ability to monitor local, national, and international news, identify emerging issues, and assess their relevance to Philadelphia’s Latino communities.
• Strong knowledge of Philadelphia’s political, social, cultural, and community landscape, particularly issues affecting underserved and historically marginalized communities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, manage multiple reporting assignments, and meet tight and competing deadlines, ensuring quality.
• Strong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to respond quickly and effectively to breaking news and emerging community concerns.
• Experience in investigative reporting, interviewing, and factchecking.
• Demonstrate ability to build trust, establish authentic relationships, and engage respectfully with community residents, leaders, organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, project-management, and time-management skills, with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with WordPress and Trello.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as required in support of news coverage, community engagement activities, and organizational events.

Benefits

• Editorial training and mentorship
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Comprehensive employee health and wellness benefits package

Pay

The anticipated starting salary range is $50,000–$55,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

The hours for this role include evenings, weekends, and holidays.