Anchor Assistant

Job Title: Anchor Assistant

Reports To: Senior Broadcast Producer

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Onsite

Hourly Rate: $25.00/Hour

The Anchor Assistant is responsible for a wide variety of administrative and research support for the two anchors of the PBS News Hour nightly national news program. The Anchor Assistant partners with the broadcast support staff to ensure smooth operations and communications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Perform various administrative tasks for Anchors including office communications, appointment scheduling, maintaining calendars, arranging travel and schedules, answering phone calls, and preparing expense reports.
  • Receive internal and external communications for Anchors and determine urgency, either forwarding or re-directing to the appropriate staff member, or handling directly.
  • As directed by Anchors, communicate professionally and discretely with critical stakeholders, high profile news partners and confidential news sources.
  • Conduct online research as directed by Anchors and Senior Producers.
  • Perform other PBS News Hour duties as assigned, including (but not limited to) ordering meals for staff for special events, ordering office supplies, maintaining updates to staff phone lists and the day-to-day functions of a busy newsroom and office.
  • Accompany Anchors on occasional travel assignments.
  • Perform related special projects or other duties as assigned.

SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

  • Ability to work closely with colleagues in a collaborative manner during high stress situations.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills; demonstrated writing skills for business and personal correspondence.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to interact with a wide variety of people using diplomacy, tact, and discretion.
  • Demonstrated understanding and application of computer technology to efficiently accomplish work using Microsoft Office programs, email, and the Internet.
  • Demonstrated interest in daily journalism and/or longer-form journalism and a basic working knowledge of and interest in the news, including major governmental and political institutions, history, arts, and foreign affairs.
  • Familiarity and facility with internet research.
  • Availability to work a non-standard or extended work schedule at times with little or no notice.
  • Exceptional organization and administrative skills.
  • Strong work ethic and effective time management.
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Minimum 2 years of administrative office experience.
  • Prior experience in a news setting is strongly preferred.
  • 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. Benefits | WETA

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.

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