Job Details

Multimedia Journalist - WDBJ

Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second-highest-rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 45 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray's additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.

WDBJ7, WZBJ, and WDBJ7.com are a Gray-owned dominant CBS-affiliated media powerhouse in beautiful Roanoke, Virginia. Known as "Your Hometown Station", WDBJ7 and WZBJ serve 26 counties across the Blue Ridge Mountain region and produce more than 55 hours of award-winning local news coverage, more than any of its competitors in the Roanoke/Lynchburg market.

Headquartered in a state-of-the-art digital broadcast center in Roanoke, Virginia, the station also operates Virginia bureaus in Lynchburg, Blacksburg, Lexington, and Danville. For more than 63 years, WDBJ7 has been the number one station of choice for viewers from Roanoke to Lynchburg and across the New River Valley.

The dominant #1 station in the 71st largest market in the country is looking for a journalist to work as an MMJ news anchor. We are looking for someone with conversational delivery who can write, shoot, edit, and present compelling stories live. The ability to dig up interesting story ideas each day is an absolute MUST for this position. Creativity, a strong work ethic, and a passion for journalism are crucial for this job. If you have a strong desire to not only tell amazing stories but also grow as a journalist and learn from your co-workers, then WDBJ7 could be the place for you. At least two years of experience working in a television newsroom is preferred.

Duties/Responsibilities will include (but not be limited to):

• Arrive at the editorial meeting on time at the start of your shift with at least two story ideas that could be produced for that day's newscasts
• Must assist with the overall content of news stories within newscasts. Expected to bring innovative story ideas to editorial meetings and contribute to the overall goal and direction of the station. Willing to field report stories as directed.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours and possess the ability to work well with co-workers.
• Performs other duties as assigned to a general assignment reporter.
• Develops, investigates, writes, reports, and edits stories of interest
• When assigned a laptop, write and post a Web story in the car on the way back to the station.
• Edit packages using the Edius system
• Follow clothing and appearance guidelines.
• Ability to generate investigative stories using sources to dig deeper
• Responsible for working with producers to ensure story accuracy and to determine the best presentation of reports.
• Capable of enterprising exclusive stories of interest and importance to local viewers and carrying out the overall goals of the station.
• Perform creative and explanatory live shots and stand-ups.
• Writes and posts website stories before airing of the television version
• Work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
• Performs other incidental and related duties as required and assigned
• Research, gather, write, and report news stories for on-air and online in the most accurate, appealing, timely, and creative way using all sources
• Report "live" on the scene, especially during breaking news
• Conduct interviews in the field and on-set
• Develop and maintain sources of information and knowledge about assignments
• Demonstrate sound news judgment, collaborate with others to present the story in the best way
• Enterprise hard-news, research-driven packages under tight deadlines
• Participate in the story selection process through meetings and regularly contribute story ideas
• Attend/host/speak at community service, schools, and community events; meet and greet viewers
• Post and regularly update stories and other material on the web, often remotely while traveling
• Must update social media sites daily, including Facebook, to report stories and interact with viewers
• Possess a broad and working knowledge of the viewing area, including people, places, things, and history
• Enter CG text and times into newsroom software 30 minutes before newscasts
• Use knowledge of appropriate lighting to enhance overall news presentation
• Present TV stories in alternative ways at least twice a week (non-package presentation)
• Produce a daily reporter package and one vo/sot/vo or other contribution on a different story
• Critique, feedback, and training are part of the job
• Communicate with the web staff and other appropriate staff members during breaking news
• Follow clothing and appearance guidelines.
• Must be a visual storyteller; perform creative stand-ups and explanatory live shorts
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications/Requirements:

• At least two years of television reporting is preferred
• Experience with ENPS newsroom software and/or Grass Valley non-linear editing is a plus
• Experience with web writing and social media posts is required
• Excellent broadcasting writing experience is a must
• Experience with digital cameras
• Editorial leadership skills a plus
• Have experience with many platforms, including web, mobile, and social networks
• Must possess a strong understanding of daily newscast content and work in conjunction with producers to develop a dynamic product
• Strong initiative, attention to detail, and advanced ethical decision-making skills required
• Must possess excellent interview and conversational writing skills
• Excellent live reporting skills and strong on-camera presentation skills required
• Basic computer knowledge, including newsroom software (such as ENPS or I-News), Microsoft applications, and Internet use
• Ability to shoot and edit video with digital cameras
• Able to produce and post content to our websites
• Intermediate knowledge of social media
• Must be able to work independently with limited supervision
• Work well in a team environment
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work well under pressure
• Strong initiative and attention to detail are required
• Demonstrate solid news judgment and journalistic ethics
• Maintain professional and ethical conduct at the station and in the community
• Ability to maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving in a manner that will work well with co-workers, supervisors, and viewers
• Strong research skills, including the ability to navigate online search engines
• Must stay current with national and local news/weather
• Ability to enterprise local hard-news stories
• Bachelor's Degree in journalism or related field required
• Must hold a valid driver's license and be insurable