Sports Reporter

Lansing, Michigan is home to Magic Johnson, John Smoltz, and Ryan Miller. It's also home to the next great sports reporter.

WLNS-TV, the CBS affiliate in this sports-crazy Big Ten town, has a rare opening for a job in our sports department.

If all you can do is play-by-play and locker room interviews, don't bother applying. We need a sports reporter. You'll be expected to make contacts, come up with story ideas, and follow and break the "news" of sports. We want a story finder as well as a storyteller.

This is not a 9-to-5 job. There are long days and strange hours. You will work weekends. You will shoot your own stuff. You will get to anchor, but that won’t be the bulk of your job.

For our part - we're committed to sports. When the Spartans go to the Big Dance, we're there. When the football team goes to a bowl game, we're there. We do various sports specials throughout the year, including a Big 10 football preview, a bowl special, and a special each week the Spartans remain in the NCAA basketball tournament. We also have the 5th Quarter - an award-winning high school football/basketball show each Friday night. We also produce the MSU Coaches Show from August until March.

But we don't limit ourselves to football and basketball. We cover a host of high school and Spartan sports - including, but not limited to hockey, baseball, softball, soccer, golf, and track. Our market is also home to a minor league baseball team and the Michigan International Speedway.

Yes, we follow the Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings, but don’t count on spending any time in Detroit. We like to keep the focus local.

Qualifications: a degree in journalism, communications, or a related field. Strong writing, editing, and shooting skills. A passion for sports in all of its forms and deep knowledge of sports history. Newsroom experience of some kind is strongly preferred.

Be sure to include a link to your tape. Examples of reporting on your resume tape (whether it's sports or not) are required. Tapes that only include anchoring, stand ups, and interviews will not be considered.

No phone calls.

Produces and presents sports reports for all platforms
Ensures that all sports content meets company standards for journalistic integrity and production quality
Writes and delivers sports stories in a clear and concise manner
Assists in writing, copy editing, researching and coordinating sports programming and other content
Responds to breaking sports events and other urgent newsrooms situations as required
Works closely with the sports team to develop comprehensive sports coverage
Participates in promotional activities including public appearances
Performs special projects and other duties as assigned
Shoots video for sports reports
Sets up, composes and executes video shots
Maintains video equipment
Edits video clips for television broadcasts and eMedia content
Writes stories for the website and other eMedia platforms
Interacts with viewers and users on social media sites

Requirements & Skills:

Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience
Comprehensive knowledge of sports and sports related activities
Fluency in English
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Superior on-air presence
Experience guiding, directing and motivating others
Ability to identify the developmental needs of others and to coach, mentor or otherwise help others to improve their knowledge or skills
Proficiency with computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, fax machines and other office equipment
Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
Ability to effectively listen to fully understand problems and communicate with a team to shape a solution
Valid driver’s license with a good driving record
Flexibility to work any shift
Examples of reporting on your resume tape (whether it is sports or not) are required. Tapes that only include anchoring, stand ups, and interviews will not be considered.