Fireflies Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About Gray Media:

Today, we are a growing multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 117 full-power television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of US television households. The portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station in average all-day ratings across 116 of such markets that were measured by Nielsen in 2025. We also own the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 47 markets and Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Our additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.

About WIS-TV:

WIS is the #1 local media organization in the capital city market of Columbia, South Carolina. It is the market’s top-rated broadcast television station, a digital publisher reaching tens of millions of users each year, and the home of GDM Columbia, a full-service in-house digital advertising agency with national scale. WIS is also the hub for Palmetto Sports & Entertainment, a statewide broadcast sports network, and an affiliate of Telemundo SC.

Serving South Carolina's Midlands since 1953, WIS offers the opportunity to join an award-winning culture for a popular brand built upon decades of market leadership. Named the South Carolina Broadcasters Association's Station of the Year a record 17 times, WIS has earned the Edward R. Murrow Award for Journalism Excellence, the National Association of Broadcasters' Service to America Award, the George Foster Peabody Award, and is an annual attendee of the Southeast Emmy Awards.

Among the many notable former journalists who helped set our standard, NBC Today Show co-host Craig Melvin began his career with WIS as an intern, photographer, reporter, and then anchor.

WIS produces more than 60 hours of local, original programming per week. The station offers a unique variety of multiplatform advertising solutions, sponsored content, and professional creative services for businesses of any size.

Columbia, South Carolina, is a vibrant and growing capital city with a diverse population. It is home to the U.S. Army's largest installation for Basic Combat Training, Fort Jackson, along with the University of South Carolina and multiple other colleges and universities. WIS is located downtown, just two blocks from the South Carolina State House.

Our community combines affordable quality of living with a variety of entertainment and activities to accommodate your lifestyle, whether it's our 50,000-acre Lake Murray, our Columbia Fireflies minor league baseball team, the Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens, nearby Congaree National Park, and so much more.

Job Summary/Description:

WIS and Palmetto Sports & Entertainment are seeking an experienced sports journalist who lives for storytelling, smart analysis, and deep digital reporting. Our philosophy is simple: local sports are community stories—and we cover them as they matter.

This is not a highlight-reader job. If your idea of sports coverage is standing at a wall and tossing to clips, this role isn’t for you.

What you’ll cover:

You’ll consistently generate enterprise reporting and features around:

• South Carolina Gamecocks
• South Carolina State Bulldogs
• Columbia Fireflies
• The state’s top college and high school programs
• The Midlands’ wide world of sports and active pursuits, from hunting to rowing to kickball, and everything in between

What we’re looking for:

We want a journalist who:
• Finds the story behind the score and connects it to the broader community
• Believes sports stories belong higher in the newscast when warranted
• Isn’t afraid to ask tough questions and lead coverage when teams, coaches, or athletes make news
• Brings original ideas and strong voice to digital platforms (enterprise pieces, explainers, profiles, newsletters/social/video, etc.)
• Thrives on creativity, accountability, and audience growth

Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Produce, write, shoot, and edit daily sports-related stories for our newscasts
• Report and anchor weekends
• Assist in planning daily and long-term promotable coverage for the station and other Gray stations
• Produce and lead effort in production of sports specials throughout the year

How to apply:
Please don’t send a reel.
Send us your best story from 2026 (link or PDF) that shows your reporting, writing, and storytelling

Qualifications/Requirements:

• 3-5 years’ experience
• Refined ability to write for both broadcast & digital presentation
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field
• Understanding of and adherence to AP Style for digital platforms and broadcasting writing for TV
• Ability to operate a field camera, editing, and lighting equipment
• Ability to lift/carry equipment ranging from 35-50 lbs
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record
• Represent WIS professionally/responsibly in the community and newsroom, online and in person
• Must have the desire to win, reflect critically on your work, and apply feedback

If you feel you’re qualified and want to work with a great group of people,  go to https://gray.tv/careers#currentopenings, you may type in the job title, station call letters, or click on "apply now", upload your resume, cover letter, and references

(Current employees who are interested in this position can apply through the Gray-TV UltiPro self-service portal)

WIS-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company

Additional Info:

Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Gray Media expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Gray’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.