Assignment Editor - WSB TV

Position Overview

WSB-TV Channel 2 is looking for a creative, and enthusiastic Assignment Editor to join our team in Atlanta, Georgia. We are looking for a candidate who loves a quest for knowledge, who can put together a complex puzzle even when one piece is missing, and who wants to make the newsroom operations an important part of their career.  

The ideal candidate must be able to own breaking news logistics in a highly competitive market while having excellent news judgement. In addition, successful candidates must have an understanding of coverage on all platforms and are expected to help generate story ideas. Our Assignment Editors work in collaboration with our Digital Producers and are trained to distribute content on all our platforms. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to multi-task, possess exceptional communication skills and thrive under deadline pressure. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day news coverage, including assigning stories to reporters and photographers, coordinating response to breaking news and severe weather, and future planning for upcoming events.
• Maintain contact with various police, business, and government agencies.
• Answer phones, dispatch crews, listen to scanners, and follow social media to develop stories for use on-air and digital.
• Manage daybook/daily planner by inputting information on upcoming events with background and contact information. 
• Monitor scanners, social media, station email and other news outlets stations for stories not on our radar.
• Quickly work to confirm information that is breaking. 
• Participate in news editorial and planning meetings. 
• Communicate information on news updates and breaking news to managers and digital staff. 
• Manage logistics of assigning crews, vehicles and live gear.
• Coordinate and fulfill requests from other CMG and ABC affiliates, as well as the network.
• Ensure daily content generation goals are met.
• Write breaking news updates for web and social media digital content.
• Ability to work varying shifts, including nights, overnights, and weekends.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong news judgment, ethics and knowledge of legal standards are a must
• Must be extremely aggressive in pursuit of breaking news and verification of unconfirmed information
• Familiarity with use of social media as news gathering tools
• Excellent writing, grammar and copy-editing skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic understanding of iNews is preferred
• A minimum of 4 years’ experience working on a local TV news assignment desk is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) from four-year College or University in Journalism or Communications preferred.