Assignment Coordinator (NJ PBS)

Assignment Coordinator

Reporting to the News Director, the Assignment Coordinator is the real-time nerve center of the NJ PBS newsroom, managing the daily assignment workflow. The Assignment Coordinator coordinates crew and equipment assignments, monitors police/fire scanners and social media for breaking news, and maintains journalist and photographer scheduling. In addition, this position develops and maintains news relationships, contacts and sources, gathers editorial information on breaking news and developing stories, books interviews and guests for programs and platforms, manages planning for future story and events coverage, and serves as a central communication hub between the News Director, anchor, reporters, producers, photojournalists, and editors.

Principal Duties And Responsibilities:

• Monitor social media and wire services for breaking news and developing stories.
• Assign reporters and photojournalists to stories based on availability, location, and editorial priorities.
• Manage crew scheduling and equipment deployment, ensuring adequate coverage for all assigned stories.
• Maintain the assignment log and daily story list, updating it throughout the day as stories develop.
• Ensure that all platforms are considered when making story assignments, shooting news coverage, and producing content to maximize the value of the material gathered for all platforms.
• Communicate with field crews via phone and two-way radio, relaying updates and coordinating logistics.
• Coordinate live shot logistics, including satellite truck positioning, microwave paths, and IP-based live connections.
• Assist producers with rundown planning by providing real-time updates on story status and crew availability.
• Maintain contact databases for emergency services, government offices, and community organizations.
• Contribute ideas and story pitches to editorial meetings.
• Develop and maintain news contacts and sources.
• Manage planning for future story and events coverage.
• Monitor competitor content and flag gaps in coverage.

• Adhere to NJ PBS editorial standards and public media ethics guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

Qualifications:

Required:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a related field.
• At least three years of demonstrated assignment desk experience in broadcast or digital daily newsroom operations, including managing breaking news. including crew scheduling and assignment coordination.
• Strong news judgment.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent field assignments in a live news environment.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
• Prior assignment desk experience at a television or digital daily news organization.
• Knowledge of New Jersey geography, government, and public safety agencies.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Procedure For Candidacy: Applicants should include a resume and cover letter describing how their background, skills and education match the needs of the University. When applying, please take a moment to carefully read and follow the steps in the application instructions.

Salary Range $75,000.00-$85,000.00 Annually

The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance. For further details, please visit:

Montclair State University considers factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's relevant work experience, education, skills, and internal equity, when extending an offer.

Salary offers for internal employees who are part of a collective bargaining unit (CBU) and are applying to a position that is within a CBU will be determined in accordance with contractual provisions.

Department NJ PBS

Position Type Administrative

For questions or concerns, please contact Human Resources' Workday Recruiting Support at View phone number on click.appcast.io (Option 2), or email View email address on click.appcast.io.

Inclusion Statement Montclair State University values access and educational excellence. We are committed to an environment of diverse perspectives which ensures that graduates will be civically engaged, committed to democracy, and prepared to thrive as global citizens. We foster a community that promotes varied experiences and voices. We seek applicants who will contribute diverse ideas and perspectives and who value an environment that promotes educational growth and advancement for all.

EEO/AA Statement Montclair State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution with a strong commitment to diversity.

Additional information can be found on the website at

Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 Policy Montclair State is required by Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex or gender, and does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities. The requirement to not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities extends to admission and employment. For further details, please visit:

Montclair State University