Associate Producer, Student Reporting Labs

Full-time, Exempt

Reports to:  Editorial Director, Student Reporting Labs

JOB OBJECTIVE

Student Reporting Labs (SRL) is building a stronger future for journalism by empowering the next generation of news creators. We are seeking a talented and hard-working Associate Producer who is passionate about journalism, video production and creating opportunities for middle and high school students to produce meaningful content that inspires, educates and informs. The Associate Producer works with the SRL team and network on the production of original youth-driven news stories. A background in journalism, production and video editing is essential. The Associate Producer will work with the SRL team to identify content opportunities and develop and create journalism and media literacy resources. Candidates must be highly organized with experience in project management. This position is ideal for a talented media professional looking for experience with an innovative team and the confidence and developing skills to contribute in meaningful ways, big and small.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Work with students to pitch and edit youth-driven stories that have both local and national impact and are related to the news cycle. 
• Support production of video production curricula and tutorials.
• Support pre-production, production, and post-production of SRL content, including social stories, news packages, educational resources, and special projects.
• Edit montages of student voices for broadcast and digital platforms.
• Provide editorial feedback on student story pitches and rough cuts.
• Facilitate student internships at local stations and WETA.
• Perform related special projects or other duties as assigned.
• Support tracking in Editorial Calendar and Airtable.

SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Proven ability to shoot and edit broadcast quality video.
• High proficiency in entire Adobe Creative Suite.
• Excellent organizational, project planning, presentation and time management skills with careful attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in an education department that consistently works with leaders and producers in a fast-paced newsroom setting.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, both independently and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully perform in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures while collaborating positively with a small team.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for journalism, youth engagement and public broadcasting media.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 2-3 years professional experience producing journalism or education content.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

About PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)

SRL is an award-winning national youth journalism program that connects classrooms and after school programs to local PBS stations and the PBS NewsHour. Thousands of teachers use SRL’s journalism and video production resources, producing multimedia stories that are regularly featured on local and national news media. The SRL team consists of a small, ambitious and talented team of journalism and education professionals who work closely with a growing network of students, teachers and media partners.

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.