Full-time, Regular, Exempt

Reports to: Senior Coordinating Broadcast Producer

JOB OBJECTIVE

The Broadcast Production Assistant is primarily responsible for helping to format the daily rundown for the PBS NewsHour, checking graphics and assisting with the News Assistant program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Write/edit copy and coordinate with graphics and digital for lower thirds and show interstitials.
• Work with the Tape Producer to ensure all video elements are ready for playback.
• Assist and fill in for the Tape Producer as needed.
• Help coordinate the day to day work of the News Assistants and assist with recruiting News Assistants.
• Assist the Senior Coordinating Broadcast Producer as needed.
• Make editorial recommendations, including what segments to air during pledge breaks.
• Pitch and help produce stories for broadcast and digital.
  • Generate story ideas.
  • Research and arrange interviews.
  • Acquire, screen and log footage.
• Perform related special projects or other duties as assigned.

SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Exceptional creative, verbal and writing skills.
• Excellent news judgement.
• Knowledge of broadcast video production.
• Ability to work closely with colleagues in a collaborative manner under deadline pressure.
• Excellent organizational, project planning, presentation and time management skills with careful attention to detail.
• Prior experience managing junior staff preferred.
• Proven leadership abilities.
• Shooting and non-linear editing experience a plus.
• iNews skills preferred.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• College degree in journalism, communications, political science, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Introductory experience with broadcast and online journalism, including writing and video editing.

LOCATION

WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations. We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA. WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible. Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service.

VACCINATION POLICY

WETA and NewsHour Productions prioritizes the safety and security of our community. In accordance with our focus on providing and maintaining a safe workplace, we have adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees working in a WETA and/or NewsHour Productions office and employees who may reasonably or occasionally be called to work onsite, subject to business needs.

In accordance with this policy, all applicants for employment in a WETA and/or NewsHour Productions office are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Requests for exemption from this policy based on a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief will be considered upon a conditional offer of employment. Reasonable accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

WETA and NewsHour Productions is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This policy complies with all applicable laws and is informed by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health authorities, as applicable.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

WETA and NewsHour Productions are equal opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.