As Pulitzer Prize-winning Lookout Santa Cruz enters its sixth year, we’re looking for an energetic, skilled reporter and storyteller enthused and able to cover this wide-ranging in the small cultural mecca, Santa Cruz. Though a community of only 250,000, Santa Cruz is home to many creatives in all lines of performance and wider culture. We’ve told these stories well for half a decade and now as our moves to “emeritus” status, we look for a proven culture writer and reporter to join our expanding team of 12 in the newsroom.
We prize being on top of high and low culture and everything between, and increasingly tell those stories using video and audio as well as text. We are a collegial, in-person newsroom seeking a new colleague who will immerse themselves in all things Santa Cruz, while knowingly understanding national trends and context.
We want a reporter who will go beyond just telling readers what is happening, but tells the stories behind the events and productions. We want a reporter who shines a light on the organizations and culture of Santa Cruz County. You know these people because you talk with them and attend their events. We don’t want a critic, but someone who looks at the community with a critical eye. You will help readers find the best things they’ll want to do and know about, writing guides, profiles and breaking news on this very newsy beat.
You are a storyteller who has or will build a robust database of diverse source. You are passionate about art galleries, dance, classical music and theater as well as the offbeat or non-traditional activities that keep people busy at night and on weekends.
About Lookout Local: We’ve just launched our second site with Lookout Eugene-Springfield, to great immediate reception and success. Key in that is the work of Annie Aguiar, who has hit the ground running and provides a template of what we will produce in Santa Cruz in 2026. We are building a modern company of journalists and friends in a collaborative, in-office, community-centric environment. And as we plan Lookouts 3-5, we are building a pipeline of ambitious talent.
Our mission is to repopulate news deserts, not by protesting financially driven chains, but by creating better local news and local news products, ones that earn both membership and advertising dollars every day. We are building robust local news companies — meant to serve their communities and last. We stand for trustworthy, local, independent journalism. Apply today to join the team.
Position Overview
Our reporters will provide timely, useful, and connect-the-dots reporting that distinguishes the Lookout model. Readers know our reporters through the bylines and photos and look to them for reliable news and information. This role involves working deeply into the Arts, Entertainment and Culture community, collaborating with colleagues on both breaking news and in-depth pieces, and excelling at narrative storytelling. The ideal candidates will provide fair, accurate, and non-partisan news, work at the cadence of digital publishing, and be enthusiastic about the responsible use of newer technologies. We’re looking for journalists who see the power of revived local journalism and have the skills and enthusiasm to be part of a new team doing it. Responsibilities
Reporting and Storytelling: Provide timely, useful, and connect-the-dots reporting on assigned beats. Create narrative stories that give readers a fair, accurate, and non-partisan sense of the news that matters most to them. Collaborate with colleagues on breaking news and in-depth pieces. Conduct thorough research and investigations, verify facts and cross-check information to ensure reliability. Write clear, concise, and compelling stories in various styles, from breaking news to in-depth features. Look for ways to help readers participate in their communities and to be of service to them. Work at the cadence of digital publishing, ensuring timely updates and responsiveness to breaking news. Collaboration and Teamwork: Collaborate with fellow journalists and editors to share insights, story ideas, resources, and expertise. Community Engagement: Engage with the community to understand their needs and interests, reflecting this in reporting. Build and maintain a network of sources and contacts. Develop relationships with key community members, officials, and experts. Represent Lookout Santa Cruz at community events and forums. Qualifications
Proven, relevant experience as a journalist with a track record of timely and impactful reporting. Strong narrative storytelling skills with a commitment to fair, accurate, and non-partisan journalism. Proficiency with digital publishing tools and a keen interest in emerging technologies. Deep understanding of beat reporting and the ability to develop and maintain a network of sources. Demonstrated ability to serve readers’ news and information needs. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Passion for Lookout’s mission and a deep understanding of the local community. Qualifications
At least five years experience at a daily newspaper, magazine or digital outlet as an editor or reporter Experience as a story editor, capable of spotting red flags, reporting holes, buried leads, structural problems and missed opportunities in stories Must be more than a copy editor, with excellent news judgment and great writing skills Excited about – and experienced with – editing younger journalists. Patient and collegial Ability to be flexible in a fast-paced digital news environment Highly collaborative with reporters, editors, photographers and able to work cross-functionally with business and community teams Application Process
Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@lookoutlocal.com and put Santa Cruz, Arts, Culture & Entertainment Reporter in the subject line.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Our reporters will provide timely, useful, and connect-the-dots reporting that distinguishes the Lookout model. Readers know our reporters through the bylines and photos and look to them for reliable news and information. This role involves working deeply into the Arts, Entertainment and Culture community, collaborating with colleagues on both breaking news and in-depth pieces, and excelling at narrative storytelling. The ideal candidates will provide fair, accurate, and non-partisan news, work at the cadence of digital publishing, and be enthusiastic about the responsible use of newer technologies. We’re looking for journalists who see the power of revived local journalism and have the skills and enthusiasm to be part of a new team doing it. Responsibilities
Reporting and Storytelling: Provide timely, useful, and connect-the-dots reporting on assigned beats. Create narrative stories that give readers a fair, accurate, and non-partisan sense of the news that matters most to them. Collaborate with colleagues on breaking news and in-depth pieces. Conduct thorough research and investigations, verify facts and cross-check information to ensure reliability. Write clear, concise, and compelling stories in various styles, from breaking news to in-depth features. Look for ways to help readers participate in their communities and to be of service to them. Work at the cadence of digital publishing, ensuring timely updates and responsiveness to breaking news. Collaboration and Teamwork: Collaborate with fellow journalists and editors to share insights, story ideas, resources, and expertise. Community Engagement: Engage with the community to understand their needs and interests, reflecting this in reporting. Build and maintain a network of sources and contacts. Develop relationships with key community members, officials, and experts. Represent Lookout Santa Cruz at community events and forums. Qualifications
Proven, relevant experience as a journalist with a track record of timely and impactful reporting. Strong narrative storytelling skills with a commitment to fair, accurate, and non-partisan journalism. Proficiency with digital publishing tools and a keen interest in emerging technologies. Deep understanding of beat reporting and the ability to develop and maintain a network of sources. Demonstrated ability to serve readers’ news and information needs. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Passion for Lookout’s mission and a deep understanding of the local community. Qualifications
At least five years experience at a daily newspaper, magazine or digital outlet as an editor or reporter Experience as a story editor, capable of spotting red flags, reporting holes, buried leads, structural problems and missed opportunities in stories Must be more than a copy editor, with excellent news judgment and great writing skills Excited about – and experienced with – editing younger journalists. Patient and collegial Ability to be flexible in a fast-paced digital news environment Highly collaborative with reporters, editors, photographers and able to work cross-functionally with business and community teams Application Process
Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@lookoutlocal.com and put Santa Cruz, Arts, Culture & Entertainment Reporter in the subject line.
#J-18808-Ljbffr