News Assistant – Politics

Location: Arlington, Virginia
Job Category: Other
Job ID: 12273
Employment Type: Full time
Salary:
Posted: 03.28.2025

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Occupations:

Job Description:

Job Title: News Assistant – Politics
Reports to: Senior Broadcast Producer
Status: Full - Time, Non-Exempt, 1 Year
Hourly Rate: $22.00
 
Position Overview:
 
The News Assistant program is designed to give recent college graduates practical experience in a broadcast news setting. During their tenure, News Assistants are exposed to many aspects of producing a nightly television news program. The Politics News Assistant will work directly with the politics unit to assist with logging video, gathering footage, research, guest outreach and field shoots. The News Assistant will work with the politics unit for 9 months, during which the News Assistant will also rotate through control room and studio shifts, assisting the anchors and other producers with scripts and other crucial needs of the daily broadcast. The News Assistant will then work with the digital team for another 3 months to assist with online production of the PBS News Hour.
 
Primary Responsibilities:

• Logging video feeds.
• Researching stories and potential interview subjects.
• Assisting producers on field shoots.
• Contributing to digital content and online post-production.
• Perform related special projects or other duties as assigned.

Additional Skills and Qualifications:

• Excellent writing and research skills.
• Demonstrated interest in journalism and/or television production.
• Professional phone manner and solid administrative skills.
• Strong work ethic and effective time management.
• Knowledge of PBS NewsHour‘s journalistic style.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Prior experience in a broadcast news setting preferred.
• 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. Benefits | WETA
 
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
 
WETA/NewsHour Productions is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all.  We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind, for any reason, 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.
 
 
 

Job Requirements: