1

General Assignment Reporter Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Story selection and assignment of stories to reporters and photographers. Prepare newscast rundown ... general office equipment and computers. Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights ...

General Assignment Reporter information

See Arizona salary details

$14K

$39.5K

$72.2K

How much do general assignment reporter jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for general assignment reporter in Arizona is $39,492.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29,800.00 and $46,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between General Assignment Reporter vs Beat Reporter?

AspectGeneral Assignment ReporterBeat Reporter
Primary FocusCovering a wide range of topics and breaking newsSpecialized coverage of a specific beat or subject
Work EnvironmentVaried, often on short notice, covering different storiesConsistent, in-depth reporting within a specific area
CredentialsJournalism degree, reporting experienceSimilar credentials, often with expertise in the beat

Both roles require journalism skills and reporting experience, but a General Assignment Reporter covers diverse topics, while a Beat Reporter specializes in a particular area. The choice depends on whether you prefer variety or in-depth expertise in a specific field.

What does a General Assignment Reporter do?

A General Assignment Reporter is a journalist who covers a wide range of news stories rather than focusing on a specific beat, such as politics or sports. They are often sent to report on breaking news, community events, crime, human interest stories, and other topics as assigned by their editors. Their day-to-day tasks can vary greatly, requiring flexibility, strong research skills, and the ability to work under tight deadlines. General Assignment Reporters must quickly gather information, conduct interviews, and write clear, accurate articles for print, online, or broadcast media.

What are some common challenges faced by General Assignment Reporters in managing diverse story topics and tight deadlines?

General Assignment Reporters often juggle multiple stories on a variety of topics, which requires quick adaptability and strong organizational skills. They typically work under tight deadlines, making it essential to prioritize tasks and efficiently gather accurate information from different sources. Balancing breaking news coverage with longer-term feature stories can be demanding, but it also offers opportunities to develop a wide-ranging skill set and build relationships across newsroom teams. Collaboration with editors, photographers, and digital teams is key to producing timely, well-rounded stories.

What Is a General Assignment Reporter?

A general assignment reporter writes about and reports on various topics for a newspaper, news website, or television station. As a general assignment reporter, the story types you are reporting on can range from human interest to breaking news. Your assignments change on a regular basis, depending on the most pressing events of the day. Your primary duties revolve around finding content for your report. A general assignment reporter job is a great way to gain experience before becoming an editor, news director, or columnist. Most general assignment reporters earn a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communication, or a related field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a General Assignment Reporter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a General Assignment Reporter, you need excellent writing, research, and interviewing skills, typically supported by a degree in journalism, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), digital publishing tools, and multimedia equipment is often required. Strong soft skills include curiosity, adaptability, time management, and effective interpersonal communication. These abilities are crucial for producing accurate, timely, and engaging news stories in a fast-paced and ever-changing media environment.
What cities in Arizona are hiring for General Assignment Reporter jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most General Assignment Reporter job openings:
What are popular job titles related to General Assignment Reporter jobs in AZ? For General Assignment Reporter jobs in AZ, the most frequently searched job titles are:
BREAKING NEWS REPORTER - KPHO/KTVK

BREAKING NEWS REPORTER - KPHO/KTVK

Gray Television

Phoenix, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Gray Television rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 63 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 65 rated media


Job description

About Gray Media:
Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second-highest-rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 45 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray's 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 KPHO/KTVK:
Home to CBS 5, 3TV, and Arizona's Family Sports, Arizona's Family produces more than 100+ hours of local news and programming every week. CBS 5 is Arizona's Most-Watched Television Station, driven by the power of CBS programming and sports, while 3TV is one of the strongest Independent television stations in the country with its highly-rated morning show, Good Morning Arizona. And the reach of Arizona's Family doesn't stop with linear television. Azfamily.com is the market's top performer in local multi-platform unique users. It is also home to Arizona's Family Originals. Our in-house original content production team works on several long-form programs, documentaries, docuseries, and original podcasts, including True Crime Arizona, which is nearing 2 million downloads.
Arizona's Family Sports is home to the state's premier sports franchises, including the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix Rising, and the Arizona Interscholastic Association high school state championships.
Job Summary/Description:
Are you the kind of person who hears a siren and immediately checks the scanner? Do you thrive when the script goes out the window and the story is unfolding right in front of you? We're looking for the most aggressive, dynamic Breaking News Reporter in the Phoenix metro- someone who doesn't just cover the news but owns the moment. Whether you're live on the scene in the middle of the desert heat or pushing a critical update to the palm of our viewers' hands, you'll lead with urgency, authority, and a digital-first mindset.
Duties/Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
What You'll Do
• Own the breaking news cycle: Be the first on the scene and the first to deliver, turning chaotic situations into clear, compelling stories for our audience.
• Dominate all platforms: Move fast to disseminate information across TV, social media, and our streaming apps-because breaking news doesn't wait for the 6 PM block.
• Build a killer network: Establish and maintain a deep web of local contacts and sources that give us the inside track before the competition even wakes up.
• Drive the "What's Next": Don't just report the "what"; consistently propose and execute initiative concepts for breaking news follow-ups that keep the story moving.
• Narrate with impact: Deliver powerful storytelling on or off camera, bringing the heat and heart of Phoenix to every report.
• Be a newsroom catalyst: Contribute fresh ideas daily and provide general assistance to ensure our newscasts are the most urgent in the market.
What You Bring
• A "Scanner Junkie" mentality: You have an instinct for news-gathering and a relentless drive to be first.
• 2+ years of on-air experience: You've been in the trenches and know how to handle the pressure of a live, breaking environment.
• Multi-platform fluency: You understand that a tweet or a push alert is often just as critical as a live hit.
• Technical versatility: You've got the journalistic skills to match your editing and photography chops (or the equivalent experience to prove it).
• Critical thinking under fire: You can make smart editorial decisions in seconds, even when things get messy.
• Phoenix-ready hustle: You're a self-starter who is ready for local travel and knows how to build a beat from the ground up.
Why You'll Love It Here
• The Phoenix Stage: You'll be reporting in one of the most vibrant, fast-paced news markets in the country.
• Digital Innovation: We don't just talk about "multi-platform"-we live it. You'll have the tools to reach people wherever they are.
• A Team of Pros: Work alongside a scrappy, dedicated crew that values urgency, accuracy, and winning the big story.
• Real Impact: Your reporting will keep the community informed and safe when it matters most.
Ready to become the voice of breaking news in Phoenix? Let's talk.
Qualifications/Requirements:
Education:
• Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, broadcasting, or equivalent work experience
• Local travel required
Experience:
• Two years of general on-air news reporting experience. Journalistic skills, editorial judgment, with knowledge of editing and photography skills, or equivalent work experience
Specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ability to work under pressure, adapt to change, meet deadlines, work well as a team, and work independently.
• Exceptional communication skills and excellent knowledge of current events
• Local travel required.
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)
KPHO/KTVK-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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

What Gray Television employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom