Research Producer: PBS NewsHour – America at a Crossroads

Full-time, Regular, Exempt

Reports to: Senior Coordinating Producer      

Term: Ends 12/31/24

JOB OBJECTIVE

The Research Producer will conduct editorial research, develop story ideas, pre-interview potential characters, and be encouraged to pitch and produce stories for America at a Crossroads, a two-year reporting by award-winning broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff as she examines divisions across the country and their impacts on our relationships, communities, government, and democratic institutions. 

The Research Producer will be an integral part of this team, scouting ahead for stories, helping to find events and voices to illustrate ideas, and preparing Judy Woodruff with in-depth research needed ahead of interviews, field shoots, and specials. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of research methods and broadcast news and field production, and a desire to pitch and produce stories for the series. This is a SAG-AFTRA  covered position.

The Producer will work closely with the Senior Coordinating Producer for the Crossroads project and the dedicated series team, 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

• Provide research to correspondent Judy Woodruff and the Crossroads team; scout stories for future airdates; pre-interview potential voices for inclusion in segments; help find archival video and images for broadcast and digital stories. 
• Proactively pitch topics for both short and long form tape reports and interview segments based on editorial series goals and news of the day, in collaboration with correspondent and senior management.
•  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 researching broadcast television stories for a national broadcast or digital outlet, with a special focus on national political coverage and feature storytelling.
• Keen appreciation for the journalistic standards of the PBS NewsHour and the industry in general.
• Significant understanding of broadcast video production and field producing. 
• Field producing, shooting and non-linear editing experience are a plus but not required. 
• 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 3 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. 

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.