Associate Producer, Student Reporting Labs
Full-time, Exempt
Reports to: Editorial Director, Student Reporting Labs
JOB OBJECTIVE
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.
About the Role
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/audio 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 early-career 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 produce youth-driven stories with local and national impact.
- Support production of video tutorials and educational resources.
- Support pre-production, production, and post-production of SRL content, including social media 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.
- Support tracking in Editorial Calendar and Airtable.
- Co-lead educational workshops for students and/or educators.
- Perform related special projects or other duties as assigned.
SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED
- Proven ability to shoot and edit broadcast quality video.
- High proficiency in 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 in tandem with a fast-paced newsroom.
- 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.
- Experience mentoring students (ages 13-19) preferred.
- Proven ability to produce and edit audio content preferred.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism or related field preferred.
- Minimum 1-2 years professional experience producing journalism or education content.
- 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.