Assignment Desk Editor, NBC & Telemundo Miami

About the position

NBC6 and Telemundo 51, South Florida’s powerhouse duopoly, are looking for a journalist to join our duopoly Assignment Desk. Our assignment editors play a key role in coordinating and executing our multiplatform content in both English and Spanish. In this role, you will be responsible for finding and confirming information, stories and leads, facilitating newsgathering and providing comprehensive coverage of news stories.

Responsibilities

• Develop and source interesting story ideas, using editorial judgment, coordinating interviews and logistics for field crews.
• Know what stories are being covered, who is covering and what platforms the story will air on.
• Respond aggressively to breaking news to ensure all platforms needs are met.
• Maintain contact with law enforcement, fire and other agencies to determine coverage of spot news.
• Participate in editorial meetings, contribute story ideas and be responsible for developing and cultivating contacts important to news coverage in South Florida.
• Maintain an accurate account of the day’s events in Slack and the newsroom computer systems.
• Aggressively search for user-generated content and social media as a part of newsgathering.
• Maintain responsibility for feed and live signal intake and supervise daily beat checks.
• Update news stories on various platforms including websites and social media.
• Assign photographers to reporters and communicate changes and other needed information to them in the field.
• Monitor bond court, request arrest reports and mugshots and find stories there.
• Actively monitor police scanners to find stories and react to breaking news, seeking confirmation from official sources.
• Knowledge of newsroom automation systems, online storage, and computer languages or equivalent work experience.
• Working knowledge of media acquisition and IP transmission systems.
• Add and update stories in content grid, ensuring video is attached.
• Alert management team as appropriate when action is needed on a story.
• Monitor websites and social media sources for stories.
• Check clerk of courts sites regularly for upcoming trials and hearings.
• Arrange and coordinate news content and interviews for producers, reporters, newscasts and other news programs.
• Coordinate elements and assist reporters, producers and MMJs.
• Request credentials for staff to cover important events.
• Collaborate with producers and crew to establish live shot locations, and other news content as needed.
• Develop and work sources with PIOs in agencies and cities across South Florida.
• Coordinate coverage with NBC News Group/Telemundo networks as well as other owned stations and affiliates.
• Must be willing to work weekends, long hours and a variety of shifts, when necessary.

Requirements

• Minimum of two years of experience as an Assignment Editor preferably in the Miami market.
• Bilingual (Spanish and English).
• Must be technically competent, have the ability to learn and use newsroom systems as they develop, have proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
• General knowledge of television news techniques, including how stories should be covered and assembled.
• Ability to multitask and make quick decisions under pressure.
• Experience with coordinating and pulling in feeds and live signals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong social media and multi-platform knowledge.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant job experience required.
• Demonstrable knowledge of state and federal court procedures.
• Familiarity with web-based research required.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work well with people while under pressure.
• Familiarity with local leaders is a plus.
• Up to date on and interested in current news events.
• Knowledge of laws of libel, slander and applicable FCC rules and regulations.
• Personal initiative and ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Team player who is flexible.
• Displays a positive work ethic and can work under tight deadlines.
• High degree of integrity and professionalism.