Producer

Job Description

CBS News and Stations, brings together the power of CBS News, 28 owned television stations in 17 major US markets, CBSN, CBSN Local platforms, local websites and cbsnews.com, under one umbrella. CBS News and Stations is home to the nation's #1 news program 60 MINUTES, CBSN, the first 24/7 digital streaming news network, the award-winning broadcasts CBS MORNINGS, CBS SATURDAY MORNING, the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O'DONNELL, CBS SUNDAY MORNING, CBS WEEKEND NEWS, 48 HOURS and FACE THE NATION WITH MARGARET BRENNAN. CBS News and Stations also produces the award-winning 60 MINUTES+ for Paramount+. CBS News and Stations provides news and information for the CBS Television Network, CBSNews.com, CBSN, CBS News Radio and podcasts, CBS Mobile, Paramount + and other digital platforms. CBS News and Stations is dedicated to providing the highest quality journalism under standards it pioneered and continues to set in today's digital age. CBS News earns more prestigious journalism awards than any other broadcast network.

CBS News' Southern Region consists of 13 states in the Southeast and Southwest, with bureaus in Miami, Atlanta, Dallas and Houston. The bureaus are the newsgathering arm for CBS News and contribute to CBS Mornings, The CBS Evening News, CBS Weekend News, CBS Mornings Saturday, CBSN, CBS Sunday Morning, CBS Interactive and other Viacom/CBS platforms. The Southern Bureaus, working with the assignment desk, oversees the editorial in these 13 states and responds to news events when they break.

The primary duties of a bureau producer is two-fold. The producer must be able to identify and pitch stories of national interest and be a strong story-teller.

Secondly the producer must be proficient in handling breaking news.

Specifically, the bureau producer is expected to produce the field elements along with the correspondent and crew. The bureau producer is expected to respond to breaking news stories and direct a field team to be in place to report for all platforms. When the situation warrants, the producer can also act as a camera operator and a booking producer. The producer having a unique vantage point on the ground should regularly pitch stories and angles. Bureau producers must have strong writing/reporting/package assembly skills.

REQUIREMENTS:

A strong candidate will be able to effectively juggle communicating information to the Southern Bureau Chief and Deputy Bureau Chief, senior leadership at each news platform, control rooms, assignment desks, and their field team. A bureau producer coordinates transmission windows for live shots and feeds to the bureaus. Additionally, the producer scouts locations to create a dynamic remote shot when possible. As referenced earlier, being on the ground may give you keen insight to something those remotely are missing. It's important to pitch these ideas and contribute to original reporting when possible.

A strong candidate must be willing to work long hours when warranted. On breaking news events and stories that multiple platforms take offers from, a typical day will start before sunrise and go beyond sunset. This position involves a lot of travel, including travel between multiple assignments. The job also places one in situations of social unrest or when populations are desperate following a natural disaster or attack. A bureau producer must also endure being out in the elements during extreme weather events such as hurricanes and tornado outbreaks.

Must have an ability to work well under pressure to make deadlines for the news programs. Includes travelling the day of a story and setting up to go live in time for air. A bureau producer realizes the expediency of driving to a location when the flight schedule isn't convenient.

A strong candidate understands the nature of the news industry in that those who are in the field are subject to unpredictable, last-minute travel. A bureau producer must have a ''go-bag'' ready to leave at a moment's notice and be in the field .

QUALIFICATIONS:

Editorial – At least five years experience working on a news broadcast, assignment desk and/or newsgathering in the field is required.

Technical – A background in using prosumer cameras. Bureau producers regularly gather their own elements for stories and can operate as an additional camera when crew colleagues are present. On occasion or when travelling internationally, the producer is responsible for shooting the live shot. Fluency in transmitting footage via LiveU/FTP/Sony Ci/etc.

Temperament - As the point person of your field team, having a good disposition and keeping your group's morale up is imperative. Fluid logistics, lack of sleep, long hours and less ideal environmental circumstances will certainly challenge your team, but you must keep the unit together to be cohesive and productive as possible.

ViacomCBS is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.

ViacomCBS believes in creating environments that allow our primary focus to remain on providing entertainment, education and information to our millions of viewers around the world. As part of this commitment to health and safety, ViacomCBS requires COVID-19 vaccines for current US employees, including all newly hired employees, subject to applicable law. Union employees are subject to what is outlined in their applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r1evmv-18-221-187-121-42 in your application.