Assignment Desk Editor

CBS News is looking for an Assignment Desk Editor for our Washington, DC Bureau! The Assignment Editor helps facilitate editorial coverage decisions for all shows working directly with Washington Bureau Chief and Deputy Bureau Chief, Washington Senior Producers for CBS Mornings, CBS Evening News, CBS Face the Nation, CBS Streaming, CBS Newspath and CBS News Special Events to ensure we are gathering news elements and deploying coverage teams as needed. They will also work closely with House and Senate galleries, network pool producers, special events teams, technical staff, and clients to ensure proper transmission of pool events to other networks.

Responsibilities:

• Able to quickly gather and disseminate critical information for air, verifying its accuracy while simultaneously getting interviews and video coverage of the news event

• Effectively manage multiple priorities including both the editorial and logistical components of a story, often on tight deadline
• Identify breaking news and stories of national interest originating from Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
• Dependable and timely outreach to media contacts and sources during breaking news.
• During our Pool Chairmanship, the Assignment Desk Editor is responsible for assigning pool events to other networks, consistent with pool rotations and protocols.
• Coordinates with other networks for coverage of pool events; monitors pool bridge; takes part in daily network pool planning calls including participation in the network votes.
• Communicates with Washington Bureau’s Record Room to record pool events and keeps detailed record of daily pool assignments, network monthly tallies, and pool rotations.
• Disseminating comprehensive yet concise notes and updated information to teams in the field, the Washington bureau, and throughout the CBS News Division domestic and international.
• Working with Bureau leadership to assign and launch crews/teams to breaking news events.
• Responsible for pitching stories and content to the bureau and respective shows on a regular basis.

Requirements:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, balance multiple priorities under tight deadlines, especially in breaking news situations

• Strong news judgement and ability to assist and sometimes coordinate logistical story needs
• In depth understanding of newsgathering
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to listen and receive information quickly and accurately.
• Strong logistical and editorial skills with a working knowledge of national and international politics
• Strong understanding of how to gather news LIVE in the Washington, D.C. area and familiarity with Live U technology, satellite trucks, AVOC, and various fiber drops
• A firm understanding of network pool operations at the desk level
• Must be willing to work weekends, early mornings, and late shifts as news dictates within this 24/7 environment, with short notice

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field of study is preferred, or equivalent experience

• 5+ years of editorial experience working in production is preferred
• Familiarity with the various D.C. government agencies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an eye for detail and accuracy
• Ability to work well independently, and as a standout colleague

This position is covered by WGA.

CBS News and Stations, brings together the power of CBS News, 28 owned television stations in 17 major U.S. markets, the CBS News Streaming Network, CBS News Streaming 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, the CBS News Streaming Network, 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 EVENING NEWS, 48 HOURS and FACE THE NATION WITH MARGARET BRENNAN. CBS News and Stations provides news and information for the CBS Television Network,  CBSNews.com, CBS News Radio and podcasts, Paramount +, all digital platforms, and the CBS News Streaming Network, the premier 24/7 anchored streaming news service that is available free to everyone with access to the internet. The CBS News Streaming Network is the destination for breaking news, live events, original reporting and storytelling, and programs from CBS News and Stations’ top anchors and correspondents working locally, nationally and around the globe. CBS News’ streaming services, across national and local, amassed more than 1.01 billion streams in 2021. Launched in November 2014 as CBSN, the CBS News Streaming Network is available on 30 digital platforms and apps, as well as CBSNews.com and Paramount+. The service is available live in 91 countries. 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 news division.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Hiring Salary Range: $70,100.00 - 102,336.00. 

The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.  The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, tuition assistance program and PTO or, if applicable,  as otherwise dictated by the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement.   

https://www.paramount.com/careers/benefits

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

At Paramount, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on-screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Paramount is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access https://www.paramount.com/careers as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by calling 212.846.5500 or by sending an email to paramountaccommodations@paramount.com. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned.