Chief Politcal Reporter

Job Description

Chief Politcal Reporter - WMTV

CHIEF POLITCAL REPORTER (WISCONSIN STATE CAPITAL) - WMTV

About WMTV:

WMTV is the dominant NBC affiliate, serving southwestern & central Wisconsin. We are an award-winning news operation-most recently receiving multiple Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards (including overall excellence in 2022), Regional Emmy Awards, and dozens of nods from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (including three straight years as News Operation of the Year). We work hard and take pride in getting it right. Madison is regularly ranked one of the best places to live in America. We are just 1.5 hours from Milwaukee, 2.5 hours from Chicago and 5 hours from Minneapolis/St. Paul.

To learn what it's like to work for WMTV, watch our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7KugIlmEWI

Job Summary/Description:

The Wisconsin State Capitol Bureau Chief will be based in Madison at the State Capitol and WMTV offices. Your work will be distributed across Gray through the facilities of WMTV, which also provides newsroom leadership and support for this position. This is a new position, so we are looking for a self-starter and someone with a proven track record covering state politics and a proven track record of developing relationships with lawmakers and key staff. We are looking for a journalist who can dive into the data and tell impactful stories that hold elected officials and state agencies accountable. This journalist must have the ability to show how these stories impact our viewers. Coverage will be on-air, live or taped, and on digital platforms.

This political reporter will serve five Gray Media, LLC, stations with Wisconsin counties in their DMA. Those stations include WMTV in Madison, WEAU in Eau Claire, WSAW in Wausau, WBAY in Green Bay, and KBJR in Duluth, Minnesota.

NOTE: This position is located at the WMTV studios in Madison, WI

Duties/Responsibilities include (but not limited to):
* Works with news directors and assignment desks to determine, plan and staff all important stories of state-wide politics
* Collaborates with all stations daily to communicate coverage plans and newscast goals
* Must be able to develop and maintain a network of sources and experts at all state agencies and with all political parties
* Must have ability, during election years, to travel throughout the state with candidates for races selected in collaboration with the supervising news director
* Understand open records and FOIA laws and the ability to file regular requests (at least weekly), as well as manage and oversee them
* Must have strong research skills, be organized and well-versed in keeping track of legislation and quickly be able to summarize and explain it to viewers in a conversational manner
* Be able to enterprise daily story ideas with statewide interest even when lawmakers aren't in session
* Must have ability to be a digital first MMJ. Be able to stream news conferences for all involved stations, report on breaking news, quickly turn web and social stories daily
* Must have excellent news judgment and journalism ethics
* Must have strong writing, storytelling and reporting skills
* Must have ability to shoot and edit your own stories and ability to go live
* Excellent live reporting skills required, ability to ad-lib during breaking news
* While primarily a dayside Monday-Friday position, must be willing to work longer hours and different days based on legislative sessions and breaking news

Qualifications/Requirements:
• Bachelor's or master's degree in journalism or related field
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in on-air television news reporting, including in-depth long-form reporting, investigations and/or political reporting
• Basic experience with newsroom computer systems is preferred (ENPS)
• Understanding of and adherence to AP Style (for digital platforms) and broadcast writing (for television).
• Responsible for maintaining assigned gear and driving a company vehicle
• Ability to operate a field camera, editing and lighting equipment
• Proficient in TVU technology & other mobile news gathering, including use of GoPros, TVU Anywhere App, editing and sending back video/packages from the field
• Ability to lift/carry equipment ranging from 35-50 lbs.
• Must have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record
• Ability to represent all stations professionally/responsibly in the community and newsroom, and on social media
• Must have a desire to win, the ability to reflect on your work and apply feedback

Interested applicants may go to https://gray.tv/careers#currentopenings, you may type in the job title, station call letters, or click on ''apply now'', upload your resume, cover letter and references

(Current employees that are interested in this position can apply through the Gray-TV UltiPro employee portal)

WMTV-TV/Gray Television Group, Inc. is a drug-free company

Gray Television encourages all new employees to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus virus prior to or by the first workday.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gmjznm-18-218-70-93-42 in your application.