Aerial News Photographer/Reporter

Job Description

Our Ideal Candidate (Who we are looking for)

Our ideal candidate is a team player with a high degree of personal responsibility and initiative, who enjoys capturing news video on HD equipment while simultaneously reporting to a live audience. The ideal candidate makes multi-tasking look effortless as they film, report, and communicate with a behind the scenes support team to produce captivating news coverage.  Our ideal candidate thrives in dynamic and demanding environments and enjoys performing in front of an audience.  They are comfortable learning new technologies, familiar with operating camera equipment and they are confident speaking to a live audience in an ad-hoc/unscripted manner with charisma, confidence, and personality. Our ideal candidate captures the full scene of breaking news, compelling television audiences to stay tuned through quality reporting. Our ideal candidate will value collaboration, teamwork, excellence, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities (What you will be doing)

• This position works in a “live” environment. You’ll be stationed at our Los Angeles based hangar working with the news desk and aerial team as you listen for breaking news on police/fire scanners. 

• At the onset of breaking news, you and your pilot will be dispatched into a helicopter, reporting to the scene of the news. 

• You are responsible for reporting to the incident scene as quickly as possible, ready to report. Being ready to report includes having established microwave transmission signals, communication channels with your support team, and having prepared your camera and AV equipment for action.

• This position is responsible for using Aerial navigation and mapping software as points of reference in navigating and reporting. Additionally, you’ll be responsible for using HD camera equipment to capture focused and relevant scenes for news reporting. 

• This position simultaneously offers live reporting and narration of events as they’re unfolding on screen.  Narration is compelling and reporting is factual, professional, and told with personality and purpose.

• This position requires that you work with your pilot to establish ideal aerial views (in a safe manner) so that you can frame incident scenes with focus, offering the most competitive coverage available to our media partners.

• Responsible for masterfully operating camera equipment, microwave transmission equipment, radios and audio equipment. 

• This position masterfully communicates with the news desk, operations, ground support, and a live tv audience simultaneously. 

Job Requirements

Skills (What you need to succeed)

• Camera Operating Skills 

• Live Reporting/Public Speaking Skills

• Listening Skills

• Teamwork

• PhotoJournalism / Good Storytelling Skills 

• Public Speaking Skills

• Multi-Tasking / Prioritization / Organization Skill Sets

• Creativity Skills

• Adaptable to work with various personalities and in different environments / Flexible / Agile

• Quick Decision Making / Judgement Skills

• Excellent Communication Skills and an ability to summarize information into easy-to-understand components

• Curiosity and an ongoing interest in learning and development

• Superb Hand Eye Coordination

• Bi-lingual in English/Spanish is a plus (not required)

Qualifications (What you bring to the table)

• PhotoJournalism experience and/or education

• Technical experience operating camera equipment and/or an ability to learn new equipment

• Experience using Microwave Transmission Equipment and Two Way Radios 

• An understanding of Video Recording Equipment

• Accuracy in reporting with journalistic integrity

• A reputation for excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Knowledge of the southern California area, Los Angeles freeway system, with emphasis on maps, landmarks, and navigation.

• An ability to work in small, confined spaces in an aerial helicopter

• An ability to work in a physical environment requiring a mix of activity: walking, bending, standing, sitting for prolonged periods, lifting 50lbs, and working at computer stations and in front of multiple LED screens for prolonged periods of time.

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