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Form of workProducer, PBS NewsHour – America at a Crossroads
Full-time, Regular, Exempt
Reports to: Senior Coordinating Producer
JOB OBJECTIVE
The Producer will do editorial research, story development, production in the field and in the studio, and see stories to air with precision and the highest of journalistic standards. This position will focus on a series of in-depth tape reports as well as segment interviews, focusing on politics, culture and democracy leading up to the 2024 elections, as well as other topics as assigned. The main focus of this work will be the project “Judy Woodruff Reports: America at a Crossroads.”
The Producer will work closely with the Senior Coordinating Producer for the Crossroads project and the dedicated series team, sometimes as the sole producer on a story and other times in collaboration with other producers and staff. The Producer will collaborate and communicate clearly with senior management for both broadcast and digital in story development, series goals and resources, and the timely delivery of segments.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Research, plan, budget and produce packages in the field, often with more than one location and with minimal oversight. Coordinate editorial planning, travel, and work of freelance and staff camera crews, editors and others.
- Additionally, plan and produce interview segments in the field and in the studio, and supervise editing, graphics, production to air.
- Manage segments with both long and short lead times, as the stories and resources require.
- Proactively pitch topics for both short and longform tape reports and interview segments based on editorial series goals and news of the day, in collaboration with correspondent and senior management.
- At times work independently as the sole producer on stories and at other times, collaborate with other producers and staff.
- Write script outlines and early drafts, for coordination with correspondent and other producers as assigned, for stories of varying lengths under tight deadlines.
- Work with correspondent, senior management, camera crews and video editors and graphic artists on all elements of short and longform packages.
- Contribute to other special projects and stories as assigned, including breaking news and major political events, as assigned.
- Collaborate with digital leadership to ensure multi-platform reach of the overall series and individual stories.
SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED
- Experience producing stories in the field and in the studio for national broadcast or digital outlet, with a special focus on national political coverage and feature story telling.
- Keen appreciation for the journalistic standards of the PBS NewsHour and the industry in general.
- Significant understanding of broadcast video production and field producing.
- Shooting and non-linear editing experience are a plus.
- Ability to communicate with colleagues in various positions and levels with timeliness, accuracy, professionalism, tact and discretion.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced newsroom setting and adjust smoothly to changing assignments under deadline pressure.
- Excellent oral and demonstrated writing skills with careful attention to detail, especially in coordinating communication with colleagues and external stake holders.
- Excellent organizational, teamwork, project planning and time management skills.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- At least 5 years of experience in a daily newsroom, the majority of that with a national broadcast news outlet.
- Bachelor’s Degree.
- Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
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.
This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internships. WETA and NewsHour Productions make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
