JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION: News Producer
DIVISION: News & Content
CLASSIFICATION: Full time, exempt
REPORTS TO: Executive Producer
PAY: $60,000 – 85,000 commensurate with experience
(SCHEDULE: Early morning shift; start time 5:30 a.m. (or earlier as needed), ending around 1:30 p.m.)
Summary: The News Producer plays a key editorial role in WXXI News' daily broadcast and digital operations, helping shape coverage for Morning Edition, Connections, and WXXI's digital news products. Working independently and in close collaboration with newsroom leaders, this position identifies compelling stories, coordinates breaking news coverage, books guests, prepares interviews, and ensures timely communication between reporters, editors, and hosts.
The News Producer also oversees the production and publication of key digital products, including the daily newsletter and news podcasts, and serves as an on-air host when needed. This role requires strong news judgment, sound editorial decision-making, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven newsroom while helping ensure WXXI delivers accurate, engaging journalism across broadcast, digital, and on-demand platforms.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Morning and Talk Show Support (65%)
· Assist morning host with essential news gathering, including breaking news response, during early morning hours. Edit audio clips as needed.
· Identify stories that are strong editorial fits for Morning Edition/Daily News podcasts and Connections and assist with guest booking, research, and prep as needed.
· Line up reporter “two‑ways” and interviews for host(s); schedule and coordinate participation with reporters, editors, and hosts.
· Monitor host interviews and conversations on talk show for engaging pull-outs for social clips and to repurpose across WXXI platforms.
· Coordinate breaking news response during early morning hours, including making initial calls, checking tips and inboxes while Morning Host is on air.
· Participate in daily editorial meetings and work with reporters, editors and hosts to plan coverage that is essential and timely for our audience.
Digital Distribution Support (25%)
· Finalize and publish WXXI’s daily newsletter
· Produce and publish WXXI’s daily news podcasts
· Act as the primary point person for early morning digital publishing across web and social and clearly hand off responsibilities to later‑day teams.
Collaboration, Communication & Coverage Support (10%)
· Serve as a consistent communication bridge between newsroom editors/reporters and show hosts/producers.
· Proactively share information to reduce friction and miscommunication.
· Fill in as host for either show when needed.
Who you are:
- A strong journalist with excellent news judgment and a clear, engaging on‑air presence. Strong writing and verbal skills are essential.
- Versatile, collaborative, and energized by working across multiple platforms.
- Curious about Rochester, the Finger Lakes, and the issues shaping life here, and eager to help audiences understand them.
- Minimum of five years of journalism experience, preferably in a public broadcasting setting.
- Knowledge of production techniques for on-air and digital platforms.
- Ability to work independently on multiple projects under deadline pressure
QUALIFICATIONS
· A 4-year degree in Journalism or Mass Communications or equal experience.
· Experience in journalism and live news programming.
· Must be a voracious consumer of news, a self-starter who is able to work collaboratively with a fast-paced, nimble staff.
· Ability to work calmly and decisively under deadline pressure.
· Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines; ability to be flexible as news breaks or show rundowns change.
· Digital fluency and comfort working across multiple platforms.
· Experience in editing audio for broadcast and online distribution.
· On‑air sensibility; ability to fill in as host when needed.
· Ability to think about big-picture approaches to covering issues and ideas, while also executing the many small details and tasks involved in producing two daily shows.
· Team‑oriented mindset.
SALARY/BENEFITS
$60,000-$85,000 commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package, including medical insurance and vacation/sick pay.
WXXI is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. This policy expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic predisposition, gender identity or expression, carrier status, domestic violence victim status, veteran status or status as a member of any other protected group or activity.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $60,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
