WGA Producer

CBS News 24/7 is seeking a New York-based WGA Producer to join its around-the-clock coverage team. The ideal candidate is proactive, creative and editorially rigorous. They will demonstrate a firm command of journalistic standards, a keen attention to detail, and excellent newsgathering, writing and visual storytelling skills. They must also be calm and efficient during breaking news and, while based in New York, serve as a collaborative member of a global news organization.

The WGA Producer will primarily be responsible for writing conversational, narrative copy for a live, daily newscast across a variety of coverage beats including domestic stories, breaking news, international stories, interview and reporter segments, medical, consumer, tech and cultural reports. This person must have exceptional news writing skills and a talent for telling factual and fair stories on tight deadlines.

As a hardworking journalist, the producer needs to be fluent in all of the major storylines unfolding in the news cycle and have a knack for identifying and conveying important stories that our viewers should know about. The candidate enjoys working in a fast-paced news environment — the CBS News Broadcast Center — writing news copy while channeling the voice of an anchor and rising to the occasion during breaking news events.

Job Responsibilities:

• Identify, pitch, write and edit news copy with speed and accuracy in a deadline-driven environment
• Write and customize copy for anchor and reporter voices for live segments/readers as well as writing for feature and news packages
• Research and produce compelling coverage that includes quality sound, eye-catching video, factually-accurate maps and graphics, and headline-grabbing banners
• Participate in daily staff editorial and production meetings
• Order original graphics
• Source and edit video elements, including from agency partners and social media
• Copy edit scripts for grammar, syntax and substance (including fact checking)
• Writes teases, headlines, segments/readers features and news packages for daily show(s)
• Write banners and quotes during breaking news and live events
• Write intros, readers, teases and top of show as needed
• Supervise writing and graphics development
• Provide guidance & mentor Segment Producers, APs, DAs and other junior team members on writing tone, substance and style
• Work with Management and Line Producers on standards and the editorial direction of language for the anchors, correspondents and on screen graphics
• Pitch & execute special, feature & recurring segments
• Communicate and work in the control room during assigned programs
• Work with and trains Associate Producers and Digital Associates on their writing and producing
• Substitute for line producers, planning and executing content and formatting of show rundowns for a 24-hour streaming news channel
• May also perform the responsibilities of Associate Producers, Associate Video Producers; and Digital Associates
• Work with Digital Line Producers and editors to review and update segments after they air, ensuring any and all fixes are made before the next segment airing

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 5 years working in broadcast journalism
• 3-5 years experience writing copy for network, cable and/or local TV news in a major market
• Experience in writing daily news and feature taped packages
• Must pass comprehensive CBS News Digital writing test
• Ability to work early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays, sometimes on short notice, as coverage and news priorities require, as this is a 24-hour news operation

Additional Qualifications:

• Solid background in journalism and TV, including strong news judgment & critical thinking skills
• Sophisticated knowledge of current events and geopolitics
• Impeccable grammar and spelling with attention to detail
• Command of AP style and broadcast writing
• Calm demeanor in high pressure situations, including live control room environments
• A passion for news
• Deep understanding of news standards, rights and clearances and fact-checking practices
• Strong communication skills and ability to train and advise associate producers, production assistants and junior staff in writing and editing broadcast copy
• Must be very detail oriented with ability to work and write calmly and efficiently in high stress, intense deadline, live TV environment
• Be able to multi-task and manage multiple assignments for regular programming as well as rolling breaking news coverage
• Knowledge of ENPS preferred
• Line producing experience a plus

This is a position covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the WGA-E.

CBS News and Stations, brings together the power of CBS News, 28 owned television stations in 17 major U.S. markets, the CBS News Streaming Network, CBS News Streaming local platforms, local websites and cbsnews.com, under one umbrella. CBS News and Stations is home to the nation’s #1 news program 60 MINUTES, the CBS News Streaming Network, the first 24/7 digital streaming news network, the award-winning broadcasts CBS MORNINGS, CBS SATURDAY MORNING, the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O’DONNELL, CBS SUNDAY MORNING, CBS WEEKEND EVENING NEWS, 48 HOURS and FACE THE NATION WITH MARGARET BRENNAN. CBS News and Stations provides news and information for the CBS Television Network,  CBSNews.com, CBS News Radio and podcasts, Paramount +, all digital platforms, and the CBS News Streaming Network, the premier 24/7 anchored streaming news service that is available free to everyone with access to the internet. The CBS News Streaming Network is the destination for breaking news, live events, original reporting and storytelling, and programs from CBS News and Stations’ top anchors and correspondents working locally, nationally and around the globe. CBS News’ streaming services, across national and local, amassed more than 1.01 billion streams in 2021. Launched in November 2014 as CBSN, the CBS News Streaming Network is available on 30 digital platforms and apps, as well as CBSNews.com and Paramount+. The service is available live in 91 countries. CBS News and Stations is dedicated to providing the highest quality journalism under standards it pioneered and continues to set in today’s digital age. CBS News earns more prestigious journalism awards than any other broadcast news division.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Hiring Salary Range: $88,000.00 - 95,000.00. 

The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.  The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, tuition assistance program and PTO or, if applicable,  as otherwise dictated by the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement.   

https://www.paramount.com/careers/benefits

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.

At Paramount, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on-screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Paramount is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.

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