Broadcast Desk Assistant Broadcast Desk Assistant duration: six-month term (July 15, 2013 to January 17, 2014)
The Desk Assistant (DA) position is part of a six-month entry-level program aimed at providing practical experience in a broadcast news setting. The DAs are exposed to all aspects involved in producing a nightly television news program. Desk Assistant duties are rotational among the different units that compose the NewsHour.
Over the course of the program, each of the 8 Desk Assistants hired will work in 3 different units for a period of two months each. They also act as support staff for Senior Producers, Associate Producers, Reporters and Production Assistants, by answering phones, sorting mail, distributing paper and other administrative tasks. Finally, Desk Assistants will attend a series of breakfasts with various members of our organization including correspondents, producers, and reporters.
Each DA will work in three of the following rotations for a period of two months each.
DESK ASSISTANT ROTATIONS DUTIES
| FOREIGN AFFAIRS / NATIONAL AFFAIRS / POLITICS |
The Beat DAs perform a variety of duties, including providing basic research, finding, and pre-interviewing guests, logging feeds, and aiding reporters, producers and correspondents with whatever they need. In the evening, the National Affairs and Politics DAs work on script production and in the control room during the taping of the show.
(The script production and control room duties switch after one month.)
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| FORWARD PLANNING |
The Forward Planning DA is attached to a unit that focuses on future NewsHour stories on the broadcast and web. He or she will be responsible for generating story ideas, conducting pre-interviews, assisting on shoots, and logging, transcribing and searching for archival footage.
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| LOGGING |
The Logging DA watches, logs and manages incoming feeds from the Associated Press Television Network (APTN). They also log press conferences and hearings as needed. Along with the Newsdesk DA, they also answer phones and provide support in the newsroom.
(This is done for one month and then switches with Newsdesk.) |
| NEWSDESK |
The Newsdesk DA is primarily responsible for providing general coverage in the newsroom, logging news feeds, answering phones, tracking tape stock, distributing faxes, photocopying and fact-checking all script and tape information before air.
(This is done for one month and then switches with Logging.) |
| PRODUCTION |
The Production DA is responsible for maintaining our tape library, accompanying crew on local shoots; and providing additional assistance in the edit and tape rooms. During the evening, this person assists with script production and sits in the studio to assist the anchors.
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| RESEARCH/COMMUNICATIONS |
The Research/Communications DA plays two roles: assisting the research librarians with long-term projects by compiling dossiers for anchors, producers and reporters. and writing press releases, compiling press lists, editing DVDs for awards submissions, and performing other duties for the Communications offices. |
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications for the July 2013 - January 2014 Program will be due by April 30th, 2013.
QUALIFICATIONS
-Bachelor's Degree.
-Good writing and research skills.
-Demonstrated interest in journalism and/or television production.
-Pleasant phone manner and good administrative skills.
-Strong work ethic and effective time management.
-Knowledge of The PBS NewsHour's journalistic style.
-Prior experience in a broadcast news setting is strongly preferred. MINIMUM STARTING SALARY
The Desk Assistant position pays $9 an hour with overtime eligibility. As it is a temporary position, we are unable to provide health benefits. CONTACT
To apply, please send the following to the Desk Assistant Coordinator via email (preferred) or ground mail.
(1) Application (downloadable here as a Microsoft Word document)
(2) Cover letter
(3) Resume
Sarah McHaney
Desk Assistant Coordinator
smchaney(at)newshour.org
The PBS NewsHour
3620 S. 27th Street
Arlington, VA 22206
Candidates must have valid authorization per DHS form I-9 regulations to work for any employer within the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available. EOE
Posted: Sept. 14, 2012 |
