Anchor Assistant

Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Regular

Reports to: Vice President of Production Operations

JOB OBJECTIVE

The Anchor Assistant is responsible for a wide variety of administrative and research support for the two anchors of the PBS NewsHour nightly national news program. The Anchor Assistant partners with the broadcast support staff to ensure smooth operations and communications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform various administrative tasks for Anchors including; office communications, appointment scheduling, maintaining calendars, arranging travel and schedules, answering phone calls, and preparing expense reports.
• Receive internal and external communications for Anchors and determine urgency, either forwarding or re-directing to the appropriate staff member, or handling directly.
• As directed by Anchors, communicate professionally and discretely with critical stakeholders, high profile news partners and confidential news sources.
• Conduct online research as directed by Anchors and Senior Producers.
• Perform other PBS NewsHour duties as assigned, including (but not limited to) ordering meals for staff for special events, ordering office supplies, maintaining updates to staff phone lists and generally the day to day functions of a busy newsroom and office.
• Accompany Anchors on occasional travel assignments.
• Perform related special projects or other duties as assigned.

SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Ability to work closely with colleagues in a collaborative manner during high stress situations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; demonstrated writing skills for business and personal correspondence.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to interact with a wide variety of people using diplomacy, tact and discretion.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of computer technology to efficiently accomplish work using Microsoft Office programs, email and the Internet.
• Demonstrated interest in daily journalism and/or longer-form journalism and a basic working knowledge of and interest in the news, including major governmental and political institutions, history, arts and foreign affairs.
• Familiarity and facility with internet research.
• Availability to work a non-standard or extended work schedule at times with little or no notice.
• Exceptional organization and administrative skills.
• Strong work ethic and effective time management.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum 2 years of administrative office experience.
• Prior experience in a news setting is strongly preferred.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LOCATION

WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations. We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA. WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible. Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service.

VACCINATION POLICY

WETA and NewsHour Productions prioritizes the safety and security of our community. In accordance with our focus on providing and maintaining a safe workplace, we have adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees working in a WETA and/or NewsHour Productions office and employees who may reasonably or occasionally be called to work onsite, subject to business needs.

In accordance with this policy, all applicants for employment in a WETA and/or NewsHour Productions office are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Requests for exemption from this policy based on a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief will be considered upon a conditional offer of employment. Reasonable accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

WETA and NewsHour Productions is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This policy complies with all applicable laws and is informed by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health authorities, as applicable.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

WETA and NewsHour Productions are equal opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.