Education Reporter, Solutions Journalism (“The Answer Sheet” Initiative)

The Answer Sheet from the Los Angeles Times is a one-year project that rigorously examines California’s education challenges through innovative, solution-focused journalism. Our goal is to go beyond chronicling problems to explore how California can make progress, combining hard-hitting explanatory journalism with deep community engagement.

About the role

This unique opportunity requires a deep interest in education policy and the ability to convene stakeholders, spend time inside classrooms, and moderate discussions about ideas. You will tackle California’s most urgent education challenges—such as literacy and math reform, chronic absenteeism, college readiness, AI in the classroom, and the state’s cradle-to-career educational blueprint—through data-driven, solutions-oriented reporting.

The role centers on producing rigorous, evidence-based stories that are accessible and actionable for educators, parents, and students. You will drive a solutions-focused newsletter, create vertical video content, build community conversations, and collaborate with the award-winning Times education team.

Responsibilities

• Drive the editorial vision of The Answer Sheet with ambitious, solutions-oriented enterprise reporting
• Identify and investigate why proven education solutions often fail to scale
• Report across California’s education landscape, with a focus on historically underserved communities
• Develop and sustain a newsletter that informs and engages stakeholders
• Produce multiplatform content, including vertical video, social media stories, and audience-facing explainers
• Respond to breaking education news as part of a collaborative team effort
• Cultivate deep source networks among educators, administrators, researchers, students, and families
• Appear on behalf of The Times at virtual and in-person events, podcasts, radio, and television

Requirements

• A minimum of five years of journalism experience, with a track record of enterprise and accountability work
• Solid familiarity with the education landscape, including state and local policy, key stakeholders, and communities most affected by inequity
• Fluency in creative multiplatform storytelling—video, social, newsletters—with a willingness to continue developing those skills
• Strong news judgment and the ability to balance a variety of work demands
• A solutions-journalism mindset: the discipline to report critically on what works and why
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to make complex issues clear to a broad audience
• Comfort engaging directly with readers on digital platforms and in community settings
• Commitment to accuracy, ethical reporting, and inclusive journalism practice
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle in good working condition, with suitable auto insurance coverage

Bilingual or multilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Benefits

This role includes the complete array of health and other benefits offered to all full-time Los Angeles Times Guild members.

Pay

The pay scale for this position is $84,328 to $119,293, based on factors including skill set, experience, training, licenses, certifications, and other business or organizational needs.

Schedule

Occasional evening and weekend work is expected.