Associate Producer

2060 Digital•Friendship Heights Village, MD

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Producer will coordinate and communicate effectively with anchors, writers, reporters, broadcast producers, and the digital team to deliver news with a sense of urgency 24/7. This role ensures anchors have all necessary materials for a flawless broadcast, including reporter scripts and audio files. The Associate Producer continually monitors hourly newscasts, screening all audio and scripts to meet WTOP's quality standards. Responsibilities include writing news stories, editing audio files, and ensuring broadcast news copy is accurate, balanced, clear, compelling, and executed under tight deadlines. The position requires maintaining awareness of local, national, and international news, monitoring various outlets and social media to stay on top of breaking stories. The role also involves answering listener calls and emails with excellent customer service, actively pursuing news tips, and booking interviews with newsmakers and sources for live on-air discussions. Additionally, the Associate Producer will use Adobe Audition to ensure audio quality and edit audio reports for errors, monitor other news sources for story ideas, and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

1-2 years professional experience in the broadcast news industry (radio or television) preferred
In-depth knowledge of local D.C. news market, preferred
Excellent news judgment and knowledge of current events at the local, national and international level
Understanding of the importance of utilizing sound bites, nat sound and other audio in newscasts
Ability to work quickly, multitask and handle stressful situations in a calm manner
Strong leadership and communication skills
Strong writing and interviewing skills
Knowledge of Adobe Audition, Burli, and Wide Orbit, preferred
Report to work on time
Ability to work weekdays, weekends and holidays
Must be able to work early morning, midday, evening and overnight shifts
Project an appropriate and professional appearance and demeanor
Ability to work in compliance with company policies and procedures
Ability to function well in a diverse team environment
Must have reliable form of transportation
Average sitting, standing and office-type movements
Light lifting, moving and pulling abilities
Ability to communicate in English both verbally and in writing
Ability to hear and see clearly
Dexterity to manipulate computer keys and board controls as well as other office equipment
Requires the ability to think critically and tactically and to articulate information in clear, concise manner to others verbally and in writing
Must be able to think quickly and work under tight deadlines and in high pressure situations
Ability to work in a variety of settings including outdoors
The successful candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the job
The Company will make reasonable accommodations to facilitate a person's ability to perform those essential job functions

Nice To Haves

Degree in Journalism, Communications or related field preferred
In-depth knowledge of local D.C. news market, preferred
Knowledge of Adobe Audition, Burli, and Wide Orbit, preferred

Responsibilities

Coordinate and communicate effectively with anchors, writers, reporters, broadcast producers and the digital team to help deliver the news with a sense of urgency 24/7
Ensure anchors have everything needed for a flawless broadcast, including reporter scripts and audio files
Continually monitor producer's hourly newscasts and screen all audio and scripts to ensure WTOP's quality standards are met
Write news stories and edit audio files
Ensure broadcast news copy is accurate and balanced using sound news judgment
Copy must be clear and compelling, and executed under tight broadcast deadlines
Maintain awareness of the latest local news and top national/international stories of the day at all times
Monitor local/national news outlets, social media and email to make sure WTOP is on top of the most relevant and breaking news stories of the day
Answer phone calls and emails from listeners, providing top-notch customer service from WTOP
Actively pursue news tips that come in via email, phone call or other official sources
Book interviews with newsmakers and sources to discuss the top news of the day live on-air
Contact affiliates and news sources for interviews and information
Use Adobe Audition to ensure all audio is adjusted to proper levels and meets WTOP’s quality standards
Ensure each audio report is void of poor audio, grammatical errors and any other errors
Monitor TV newscasts and other sources to look for stories we aren’t already covering