DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR - WSAW/WEAU

FOX Carolina News • Town of Wausau, WI

29d • Onsite

About The Position

WSAW and WEAU are looking for a driven, digitally savvy journalist and content creator to help us innovate and expand the digital reach of both newsrooms. This is a shared, digital-first position serving the audiences of two of Wisconsin's most trusted local news stations — and it's built for someone who is passionate about creating content that engages audiences on all platforms.

You will function as both a producer and a multimedia journalist, creating content that informs, engages, and grows our audiences. You will produce original content for our digital platforms and social media first, then adapt it for our TV newscasts.

Requirements

• College degree in Marketing, Journalism, Communications, or a related field.
• Previous experience in a professional newsroom environment is preferred, but we are willing to train the right candidate.
• Availability for weekend hours; willingness to work flexible shifts for breaking news, specialized coverage, or covering a colleague's PTO. This position includes Saturday and Sunday hours, and three weekdays.
• A genuine desire to win, the ability to reflect on your work, and a willingness to apply feedback.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with solid knowledge of AP Style and writing conversationally for Broadcast.
• Ability to edit video in digital formats.
• Proficiency with Photoshop or Canva or comparable software to create and edit graphics.
• Ability to work well under pressure and collaborate effectively with a diverse team.
• Strong understanding of journalistic principles and ethics.
• Ability to balance long- and short-term projects while consistently meeting daily deadlines.
• Proven record of digital and social media success; must maintain a responsible and professional social media presence.
• Strong research skills and the ability to employ critical thinking to dig beyond the press release and verify incoming tips.
• Ability to carry 35+ pounds of equipment.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record (Motor Vehicle Records check required).

Responsibilities

• Create original content: Conceptualize, shoot, write, and edit compelling short-form, vertical videos and graphic content specifically designed for WSAW and WEAU’s digital platforms, prioritizing our websites, news and weather apps, and streaming channels.
• Dominate social media: Develop and execute daily content strategies for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, turning local news into shareable, high-impact (and dare we say, viral) stories. Engage authentically and respectfully with those audiences.
• Produce live streams: Identify opportunities with news managers, then plan and execute engaging live streaming events, from breaking news coverage to community spotlights, interacting with our audience in real-time.
• Spot trends: Stay relentlessly curious about emerging digital trends and platform features, being the first to experiment and innovate with new ways to connect.
• Analyze and adapt: Dive into analytics to understand what resonates, using data to inform daily editorial decisions and your next big content idea. Regularly review performance metrics and work with news managers to adjust content strategies accordingly.
• Tell Central & Western Wisconsin's story: Discover and highlight unique local stories, voices, and events that truly matter to our communities, giving them a vibrant digital life.
• Develop a beat system and cultivate sources within the community to generate unique "Only On" stories — timely, impactful reporting that goes beyond the press release.
• Confirm and pursue incoming news tips via email, phone, and social media with strong critical thinking and research skills.
• Write AP-style news stories daily for digital platforms, including weau.com and wsaw.com; publish and update stories as new information develops throughout your shift.
• Plan and build special website sections and features that highlight coverage, link platforms, and encourage user engagement.
• Reformat and optimize news content produced by other team members for maximum reach and engagement across digital platforms.
• Coach and collaborate with reporting staff to maximize the digital presentation of their stories.
• Communicate effectively with producers to incorporate digital elements into newscasts.
• Present content on-camera for delivery in newscasts, live streams, podcasts, and social media videos.
• Work with a sense of immediacy — both independently and as part of a team. That is our culture.
• Ensure factual, grammatical, and legal accuracy across all platforms, upholding the station's established journalistic standards and avoiding editorial bias.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree