LA County Beat Writer

Want to be a part of an exciting local news startup in West Los Angeles and the cities that make it up?

We're looking for eager political and local government watchers and/or those with local city beat experience who can cover the politics and government surrounding specifically the following for this position:

City of Inglewood
Mayor, Four Councilmembers
The “players” in town
Stadium politics and business
School District
City of Los Angeles
Mayor, City Attorney, City Controller
Councilmember Katy Young Yaroslavsky, Council District 5
Councilmember Traci Park, Council District 11
To a lesser Extent:
Councilmember Heather Hutt, Council District 10
Councilmember Nithya Raman, Council District 4
Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, Council District 13
LADWP
LAPD
LAUSD
Los Angeles Political Dynamics
Racially erased neighborhoods of the 1950s and 60s
LBTQIA+ issues
Housing/homelessness
County of Los Angeles
Supervisor Holly Mitchell, District 2
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, District 3
LA County Sheriff
County agencies and departments, e.g. Metro
Our reporters (hiring for 2) can also pitch/propose articles that:
Cover subject matter of cultural significance or growing social movements
Non-elected persons of significance we should know about
Exciting businesses or business people on the Westside

Until greater funding can be secured, we will PAY PER ARTICLE (W-9/1099):

$50 -- Cover and write up important council meetings, city department big news, major announcements, or issues facing LADWP, Metro, LAPD, LAUSD
$75 – Features (1,200-1,800 words) on a unique subject, political profile on an elected leader, and features on work by the Mayor, City Atty, City Controller, LAPD/METRO/LADWP/LAUSD, Supervisors or Sheriff/LASD
$100 – Exclusives/Scoops that fit our subject guidelines
$100 – Collaboration on an Editorial written by you, the reporter, with guidance from the Publisher

Points of Note for Applicants:

Westside Voice is seeking two writers/reporters matching the above interests and subject areas. Each individual's monthly cap will be $1,000 to start
Candidates from diverse backgrounds, differing abilities, and women are strongly encouraged to apply.
To Apply:
Email a resume (as attachment) or link to a LinkedIn profile, 3 writing samples (as attachment/s) that show journalism training, and 2-3 references that can speak to your work, character, and reliability
In your letter, let us also know where your interests and/or experience may lie in any of the subjects above
Although it is Pay-Per-Article, candidates will still be expected to interview if contacted by Westside Voice’s Publisher
For your own political comfort, applicants should know that our articles are to be straight news, considering all important viewpoints. But our Editorial is politically progressive.
Must live in the L.A. area

All articles must be pitched/discussed with the Publisher. Westside Voice will try to create as much of a newsroom environment as possible through regular Zoom meetings and occasional in-person workshops.

If we are happy with your work and enthusiasm toward our effort and vision, we are happy to serve as a reference for you when seeking full-time opportunities with other employers, be they writing endeavors or something else entirely.