Sports Multi-Skilled Journalist

Sarkes Tarzian, Inc.; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

WRCB Local 3 News in Chattanooga, Tennessee is seeking a Sports Multi-Skilled Journalist who can report, shoot, write, edit, live report and anchor across broadcast, digital, streaming and social platforms.

The ideal candidate will cover high school to college and community sports with strong storytelling, editorial judgment and a community-first approach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field; 1+ year reporting preferred.
• Experience in live reporting and sports coverage preferred.
• Strong editorial judgment and storytelling across platforms.

Responsibilities

• Report, write and deliver compelling local sports stories.
• Produce sports packages for broadcasts and digital audiences.
• Cover local high school, college, professional and community sports.
• Develop original sports story ideas daily.
• Anchor sports segments when needed.

Skills

Reporting

Live reporting

Shooting

Editing

Anchoring

Storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, sports media or a related field

Tools

ENPS

EDIUS

Job description

WRCB Local 3 News in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is looking for a driven and community-minded Sports Multi-Skilled Journalist to join our award-winning newsroom.

This is an opportunity for a journalist who is passionate about local sports and the people behind the scores. We are looking for someone who can find and tell engaging, impactful stories from across the Tennessee Valley, from high school fields and gyms to college programs, community sports and major local events. The successful candidate will be an energetic storyteller who can report, shoot, write, edit, live report and anchor while delivering strong content across broadcast, digital, streaming and social platforms.

The ideal candidate is a competitive self-starter and collaborative teammate who brings energy, creativity and strong editorial judgment to the newsroom every day. You should be comfortable working independently in the field, communicating closely with producers and the assignment desk, and adapting quickly as sports news and breaking news develop.

At WRCB Local 3 News, we value accuracy, fairness, urgency and storytelling that puts the community first. Sarkes Tarzian is committed to serving the communities where we operate and to creating a workplace where employees are supported, respected and encouraged to grow.

What You’ll Do

• Report, write and deliver compelling local sports stories for broadcast, digital, streaming and social media platforms.
• Produce memorable sports packages, highlights, VO/SOTs, live shots, anchor content and other material for newscasts and digital audiences.
• Cover local high school, college, professional and community sports, with an emphasis on stories that are relevant and meaningful to viewers in the Tennessee Valley.
• Identify and develop original, audience-focused sports story ideas daily, including features, enterprise stories, profiles, accountability reporting and coverage that goes beyond game results.
• Turn timely game-day coverage, including highlights, interviews, live reports and social content, while meeting tight deadlines.
• Anchor sports segments when needed, and contribute to newscasts through sports reporting, breaking-news coverage and special-event programming.
• Deliver authoritative, compelling and conversational live reports from sporting events, developing stories and breaking-news situations.
• Cover general-assignment, breaking news, and severe weather as newsroom needs require, bringing the same accuracy, urgency and sound editorial judgment expected in all Local 3 reporting.
• Develop and maintain strong contacts with coaches, athletes, athletic directors, schools, colleges, teams, community leaders and other sources throughout the Tennessee Valley.
• Mine the community for story ideas, sources and emerging trends that help Local 3 deliver distinctive sports coverage.
• Follow up on previously reported stories to identify new developments, accountability angles and opportunities for deeper coverage.
• Research thoroughly to ensure facts, context and credibility in every story.
• Shoot, write, edit and publish on-air and online content within deadlines, using strong visual storytelling, compelling natural sound and creative editing.
• Use social media and digital platforms to research, discover, distribute and promote content while engaging audiences responsibly.
• Coordinate interviews, story logistics and evolving coverage with the assignment desk, producers, photographers and digital team.
• Efficiently and respectfully plan with other sports reporter to develop strong, audience-focused sports coverage and story ideas.
• Work effectively with photographers and provide clear editorial direction in the field, while also being prepared to work independently as a multi-skilled journalist.
• Continuously strengthen writing, anchoring, live-reporting, interviewing, social-media and storytelling skills.
• Uphold WRCB Local 3 News’ standards for accuracy, fairness, objectivity, ethics and community trust.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, sports media or a related field preferred; high school diploma or equivalent required. At least one year of professional reporting experience, including live reporting, is preferred, though exceptional entry-level candidates with strong sports reporting, shooting, editing and digital examples will be considered.
• A passion for local sports and an understanding that the best sports stories are about people, competition, community and impact—not simply scores and highlights.
• Strong research, writing, interviewing and storytelling skills, with the ability to produce creative, memorable and well-written content for broadcast, digital, streaming and social platforms.
• Demonstrate ability to shoot, write, edit and deliver engaging stories, including compelling live reports. Experience anchoring sports or news content, or the ability and interest to grow into an anchor role, is preferred.
• Solid news judgment, ethical decision-making, strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm, organized and effective under deadline pressure, including during live breaking-news situations and changing coverage plans.
• Experience using social and digital tools to research, create, publish and tailor content for different audiences. Familiarity with ENPS and EDIUS is preferred, or a willingness to learn.
• A collaborative, self-starting approach; strong organizational skills; and flexibility to work mornings, evenings, late nights, holidays and weekends as sports and news demands require. Knowledge of Chattanooga, the Tennessee Valley and its sports landscape is a plus.

Requirements

This position requires frequent walking and the ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and on uneven terrain. Sports Multi-Media Journalists may be assigned to stadiums, fields, gyms, courts, community events, breaking news scenes, severe weather events and other active locations requiring vigilance, situational awareness and attention to safety.

The ability to carry and transport up to 30 pounds of equipment is required. A current driver’s license and the ability to operate a news-gathering vehicle to and from various locations are required.

This journalist will work independently on many assignments and will be paired with a photojournalist for live shots. Photojournalist support may also be assigned for major, high-impact or more complex stories.