Multimedia Journalist, WFTS

Scripps Media - Tampa, FL

Full-time - Entry Level

Tampa, FL

51-100 employees

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

About the position

WFTS, the ABC affiliate in Tampa owned by The E.W. Scripps Company, is seeking a dedicated Multimedia Journalist (MMJ) to join our dynamic newsroom. The MMJ will play a crucial role in researching, capturing visual content, writing, and editing stories for various platforms. This position offers the opportunity to work in a supportive newsroom environment with strong leadership, where creativity and journalistic integrity are highly valued. Tampa, known for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural diversity, and thriving economy, provides an exciting backdrop for this role. As a Multimedia Journalist, you will receive assignments or evaluate news leads and tips to develop compelling story ideas. You will gather and verify factual information through interviews, observations, and research, ensuring that all content is accurate and engaging. The role requires you to organize material, determine the angle or emphasis of your stories, and write them according to prescribed editorial style and format standards. You will also be responsible for shooting video and still photos to illustrate your stories, as well as editing videos for all multimedia platforms. In addition to producing content, you will appear on-air in both live and pre-recorded situations, providing live reports from the site of events or from a mobile broadcast unit. Collaboration is key in this role, as you will work cooperatively with photographers assigned to your stories and assist news producers in preparing newscasts. You will also support online staff in preparing multimedia stories, contributing to the overall success of our news coverage. Other duties may be assigned as needed, making this a versatile and engaging position.

Responsibilities

• Receive assignment or evaluate news leads and news tips to develop story ideas.
• Gather and verify factual information regarding stories through interview, observation, and research.
• Organize material, determine angle or emphasis, and write story according to prescribed editorial style and format standards.
• Shoot video and still photos to illustrate stories.
• Edit, or assist in editing, videos for all multimedia platforms.
• Appear on-air on TV in live and pre-recorded situations.
• Give live reports from site of event or mobile broadcast unit.
• Work cooperatively with photographer assigned to story, if one is assigned.
• Assist news producer in preparing newscast.
• Assist online staff in preparing for multimedia stories.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BS/BA in related discipline or equivalent years of experience preferred.
• Generally, 3+ years of experience in related field preferred.
• Computer literacy required, including newsroom computer systems.
• Videography and non-linear editing experience required.
• Knowledge of broadcast quality camera equipment.
• Edit video on Final Cut Pro editing systems, or similar equipment.
• Strong broadcast and AP style writing skills.
• Proficient at posting content to various websites.
• Self-motivated and able to work in a fast-paced deadline-driven environment.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Valid driver's license, good driving record, and ability to provide proof of insurance with the company required insurance limits.