Job Title: Production Assistant, News
Reports to: Senior Producer, News
Status: Full - Time, Non -Exempt
Salary Rate: $25.50/Hour
Position Overview:
The Production Assistant (‘PA’) is responsible for providing a diverse range of writing, research, editing, production, and tracking services to support the work of the PBS NewsHour. The PA exercises independent judgment and collaborates with the Senior Producer(s), Producer(s), Editor(s), and other members of the PBS NewsHour organization, in the coordination of the many production elements involved with broadcasting a daily news program television and online broadcast.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Prepare news material and news feeds for compilation and to produce compilations exercising independent judgment.
- Research and fulfill video requests for PBS NewsHour producers. Acquire footage and create footage logs for Correspondents, Producers, and Associate Producer. Back up Assignment Editor on a rotating basis.
- Assist in covering breaking news and in writing for broadcast news summary.
- Field produces interviews or shoot video on site, outside the office, with various cameras and edit video of news stories, interviews, and news summaries.
- Write scripts and gather video for day-of-air segments. Edit and duplicate video for clients, guests, and others, as necessary, using editing programs, such as Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. Provide production assistance.
- Log video recordings, maintain video log tracking system, and manage on-site and off-site video storage. Aid in maintenance of video library.
- Represent company and interact with NHP clients, taking and fulfilling orders for video. Assist the news desk to route video.
- Monitor and log incoming video offerings from sources including APTN, Reuters, ITN and ABC NewsOne. Source and timecode video material for daily stories.
- Contribute to online Rundown blog and/or online video projects as assigned.
- Assist producers/production team to ensure stories ready for air, including editing stories for the show’s rundown for time and order, overseeing graphics and video cues, and producing and distributing the show’s script.
- Assist Senior Producer in variety of tasks as assigned.
- Operate computer graphics system, such as Chyron.
- Perform related special projects or other duties as assigned.
Additional Skills and Qualifications:
- 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, editing, and shooting preferred.
- Experience with nonlinear editing programs desirable.
- Or equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced newsroom setting and to adjust smoothly to changing assignments under deadline pressure.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, excellent spelling, and grammar, and demonstrated writing skills with careful attention to detail.
- Excellent organizational, project planning and follow-through, presentation, and time management skills. Flexible and able to handle multiple tasks.
- Ability to work closely with colleagues in a collaborative manner during high stress situations.
- 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.
- Demonstrated interest in daily journalism and/or longer-form journalism and a basic working knowledge of and interest in current events, major governmental and political institutions, history, and foreign affairs.
- Availability to work a non-standard or extended work schedule at times with little or no notice.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.
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.