Title : Producer, National Affairs

Status  : Full Time Exempt

Reports to:  Senior Producer, National Affairs

JOB OBJECTIVE :

The Producer, National Affairs, is an integral member of the PBS NewsHour national affairs unit, overseeing production of video and studio interview segments for use on-air.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

• Find guests under deadline pressure for same day interviews or for longer-term projects.
• Oversee scripting, production and editing of video packages for broadcast from start to finish.
• Proactively pitch story ideas for studio discussions and tape pieces.
• Manage, plan and produce content on all manner of domestic stories for nightly broadcast and digital associated platforms.
• Research and arrange interviews.
• Coordinate and field produce shoots.
• Acquire, screen, and log footage.
• Assist other producers when needed, mentor junior producers as needed.
• Fill in for Senior producer when necessary.

SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Journalism experience covering government and policy, preferably at a state or national level.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced newsroom setting and to adjust smoothly to changing assignments under deadline pressure.
• Impeccable written communication 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.
• Availability to work a non-standard or extended work schedule at times with little or no notice

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• College degree in journalism, political science, or related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of producing original news content, preferably for a national news outlet. Preference for experience covering domestic stories, such as health, education, climate, environment, business, racial justice and tech.
• 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 EMPLOYER

WETA/NewsHour Productions is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. Fostering a culture of mutual respect is a top priority and something we take very seriously. 

Employment at WETA/NewsHour Productions is based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, age, ethnicity or ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex (including pregnancy), physical, mental or sensory ability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are also committed to demonstrating fair and equitable systems, practices, and processes related to how we recruit, develop, retain, promote, reward, compensate, and terminate talent.

We know that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is fundamental to the success of our business and our people, and we will continue to recognize it as part of our guiding principles.