Public Affairs Photojournalist

Minnesota PBS; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota PBS is seeking a highly skilled Public Affairs Photojournalist who can create visually exciting content for broadcast, mobile, and social media. The successful candidate will tell compelling stories solo or with a reporter, in a union role that requires travel and weekend work.

This position reports to field production, emphasizes video and post-production excellence, and demands strong collaboration with reporters, producers and a production team to maintain journalistic standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mass communications, journalism, media arts or related field.
• Experience in a live, broadcast journalism environment is expected.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite or non-linear editing.

Responsibilities

• Video production: capture compelling news, sports and features under daily deadlines.
• Post production: edit video/audio and manage media flow through production.
• Equipment support: maintain gear, test field setups, and coordinate with maintenance.
• Other duties: collaborate with the Production Services Team and mentor staff.

Skills

Strong visual communication

Strong organizational & time mgmt

Social media knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications, Journalism, Media Arts, or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Position Summary

Minnesota PBS is seeking a highly skilled Public Affairs Photojournalist who can create visually exciting content for broadcast, mobile, and social media. Successful candidates will have experience telling compelling stories on their own or as a team. This is a union position that will primarily work with a Public Affairs reporter in the field. The position will require frequent travel including overnight and weekend work.

Union Representation: This position is dually represented by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET). Union membership to both unions is required for this position. Dues will be prorated for each union based on typical hours worked under each bargaining agreement.

Compensation: $36.50 to $41 per hour for all hours worked in addition to company provided benefits.

Hybrid Work Environment: Candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to the Twin Cities Metro area and report to onsite office a minimum of three days per week.

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

VIDEO PRODUCTION (45% of time)

• Demonstrated ability to capture video & audio elements that produce compelling and engaging news, sports, features and documentary-style stories in a daily deadline environment.
• A desire to collaborate with reporters and producers to ensure the highest journalistic standards.
• Function as a member of the field production team, leading in camera-related activities and helping out as appropriate in other areas to ensure a smooth flow of production activity
• Organize, test, and transport gear to and from locations; ensure safe and proper handling of all gear in use.

POST PRODUCTION (40% of time)

• Edit the video and audio to tell the story, collaborating with producer and meeting the specified requirements
• Manage the media to ensure a smooth flow of the material through all steps of the post-production process
• Able to modify settings, correct user‑level problems, and suggest innovative solutions to technical problems
• Color correct video to match settings throughout the project and ensure video is within legal specs.
• Record voiceover and adjust audio to meet required specs for delivery when project does not go through an audio engineer.

EQUIPMENT SUPPORT (10% of time)

• Maintain equipment and vehicles in an orderly fashion; test for suitability for field operations
• Refer equipment and vehicle repairs to maintenance staff
• Maintain familiarity with remote broadcast equipment; recommend equipment to be used, rented and/or purchased
• Complete all necessary paperwork (e.g. work-order sign-offs and notes, credit card transactions, fuel purchases)
• Utilize Minnesota PBS scheduling systems

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED (5% of time)

• Participate as an active member of the Production Services Team; contribute to shared goals and collaborate with colleagues on achievement of priorities
• Advise and/or train other production staff members
• Keep abreast of developments in television technology and storytelling aesthetics
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications, Journalism, Media Arts, or related field
• 2 years experience in a live, broadcast journalism environment
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, or any Non-Linear base editing system
• Strong visual communication skills (composition, lighting, exposure, focus, camera movement)
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to multitask in a fast-paced, time sensitive production environment
• Ability to setup and perform live field shoots, utilizing lights, cameras, LiveU, and similar field equipment.
• Ability to travel to locations in the greater metro area, and communities throughout Minnesota on a frequent basis; occasional travel outside the state
• Knowledge of social media standards and platforms

Preferred Experience

• Experience directing studio based productions is a plus

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Expert ability to operate all Minnesota PBS field cameras, field support equipment, audio and lighting instruments
• Strong focus on audience and end user needs; ability to collaborate with content personnel on project expectations
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Member and active participant in NPPA a plus
• Commitment to advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) priorities within the organization