Sports Reporter

Date Posted	October 06, 2025
Industry	Newspapers
Specialty	Sports/Outdoors
Required Education	Bachelor's Degree
Remote / Telecommute	Hybrid
Job Status	Full-time
Salary	Negotiable

Description:

The Santa Maria Times is looking for a motivated and talented sports reporter who is eager to engage with our local sports community, including the local roundtable organization, and cover local sports with an emphasis on high school athletics, take pictures, and work with the editor to plan sports coverage for the daily Santa Maria Times, and weekly Lompoc Record and Santa Ynez Valley News. 

Qualifications

The right candidate should have a background in sports and sports coverage, be a self-starter who knows how to organize and prioritize coverage, identify profile stories and bring them to the table, be inquisitive, and be open to assignment-based reporting. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Familiarity with website and social media posting is a plus. Knowledge and use of AP style required. The full-time position will be based at our Santa Maria Times office on the beautiful Central Coast of California. 

Qualified candidates should apply to: mcooley@santamariatimes.com

Key Responsibilities

• Sports coverage representing the region's high schools, community college and youth sports leagues
• Sports profiles
• Developing sources and identifying stories, should have familiarity with MaxPreps.com 
• Work Monday through Friday, some night shifts especially during football season and winter sports, and weekends as needed. 
• Video and photography work as it relates to stories for online, print publication

Required Skills

•             1-2 years sports reporting experience

•             Self-motivated, innovative, and creative.

•             Must be able to manage multiple daily deadlines and multiple priorities while maintaining professionalism in the workplace.

•             Possess a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism or related field. An emphasis in sports in a plus.

Benefits

Excellent medical, dental and 401k options

1 week of vacation after the first year, 2 weeks after year two

3 sick days per year