ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

News Assignment Desk Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hearst

WGAL News Intern - 2026 Fall

Lancaster, PA · On-site

Assignment Desk: * Assist team members in gathering news and information. This includes taking and placing telephone calls from reporters, sources, governments agencies and general public. * May also ...

Hearst

WGAL News Intern - 2026 Fall

Lancaster, PA

Assignment Desk: * Assist team members in gathering news and information. This includes taking and placing telephone calls from reporters, sources, governments agencies and general public. * May also ...

KTVN 2 News Nevada

News Producer

Reno, NV

Minimum one year as a producer in a competitive news environment; reporting or assignment desk ... experience is a plus. * Skills : Strong editorial judgment, scriptwriting, and ability to manage ...

Cox Media Group

Assignment Editor - WSB TV

Atlanta, GA · On-site

Experience working on a local TV news assignment desk. * Basic understanding of iNews About Cox Media Group CMG Media Corporation (d/b/a Cox Media Group) is an industry-leading media company with ...

WRCB Local 3 News

News Producer

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

Minimum one year as a producer in a competitive news environment; reporting or assignment desk ... experience is a plus. * Skills : Strong editorial judgment, scriptwriting, and ability to manage ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsNews Assignment Desk Jobs

News Assignment Desk information

See salary details

$12

$23

$33

How much do news assignment desk jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for news assignment desk in the United States is $23.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $25.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a News Assignment Desk professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a News Assignment Desk professional, you need strong news judgment, organizational skills, and experience in journalism or communications, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with newsroom management systems, broadcast software, and newsgathering tools is typically required. Outstanding multitasking abilities, clear communication, and the ability to work under tight deadlines are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills ensure effective coordination of news coverage, timely dissemination of information, and smooth newsroom operations.

What is a News Assignment Desk?

A News Assignment Desk is the central hub in a newsroom responsible for coordinating news coverage. Assignment desk staff manage incoming information, assign stories to reporters and camera crews, and keep track of breaking news events. They play a key role in ensuring the newsroom operates efficiently by prioritizing stories and providing logistical support for field teams. The desk is often the first point of contact for tips, press releases, and emergency updates, making it essential for a well-run news operation.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working on a News Assignment Desk, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals on a News Assignment Desk often face the challenge of rapidly prioritizing breaking news while coordinating multiple stories and reporters simultaneously. Balancing urgent assignments with ongoing coverage requires strong organizational skills and the ability to make quick editorial decisions under pressure. Regular communication with field crews, producers, and newsroom leadership helps maintain clarity and prevent overlaps or missed stories. Embracing newsroom management software and staying adaptable to shifting news cycles can further streamline workflow and reduce stress.

What is the difference between News Assignment Desk vs News Reporter?

AspectNews Assignment DeskNews Reporter
CredentialsTypically requires a journalism degree or related experienceRequires a journalism degree or equivalent experience
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, coordinating news coverage and assignmentsField-based, reporting from the scene of news events
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in newsrooms to organize coverageUsed by media outlets for on-the-ground reporting

The News Assignment Desk primarily manages news coverage logistics and assigns stories, working behind the scenes. In contrast, News Reporters are responsible for gathering news firsthand and delivering reports. Both roles require journalism credentials and are integral to news production, but they differ in daily responsibilities and work settings.

More about News Assignment Desk jobs
What cities are hiring for News Assignment Desk jobs? Cities with the most News Assignment Desk job openings:
What job categories do people searching News Assignment Desk jobs look for? The top searched job categories for News Assignment Desk jobs are:
News Assignment Desk jobs near you
Infographic showing various News Assignment Desk job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 57% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,154 per year, or $23.2 per hour.

WGAL News Intern - 2026 Fall

Hearst Newspapers

Lancaster, PA

Part-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

WGAL-TV offers paid internships in the News department. In order to apply for an internship at WGAL, please provide a cover letter with your application; along with any applicable attachments, including writing samples, reels, etc. of your work.

The cover letter should include:

Department preference (for example, News Producing, Reporting, Photography, Sports or Meteorology)

Available start and end dates

Days and hours available to intern

Briefly state your main objectives for participating in WGAL-TV internship (please be specific)

What are your strongest areas of interest

Application Deadlines 

  • Fall:  June 30, 2026

NEWSROOM:

Newsroom interns will spend 10-12 weeks shadowing and gaining experience in the following departments:

Assignment Desk:

  • Assist team members in gathering news and information. This includes taking and placing telephone calls from reporters, sources, governments agencies and general public.
  • May also assist in research and other tasks.

TV News Production:

  • Practice writing and formatting scripts for broadcast.
  • Time in the field shadowing reporters or anchors at a live report is possible but not guaranteed.

Digital News Production:

  • Help research and write content for WGAL digital platforms including the WGAL app, WGAL.com and various social media platforms.
  • When appropriate, the opportunity to help with photo and video production for digital platforms may be available

Photographers and Logistics:

  • Assist team members with field work and news gathering

Internships are scheduled based on mutual availability and academic schedule and requirements, but may consist of 16-hours per week

SPORTS:

Interns should be well versed in both the local and national sports scenes (college and professional). The ability to converse about the hot sports topics of the day is a MUST. Interns should have working knowledge of the local sports scene (i.e., aware of managers, head coaches and star players of the local professional teams) and be conversational on major national sports stories and events.

Interns will learn to:

  • Write scripts for daily sportscast.
  • Research team and player statistics.
  • Pitch story ideas to sports department
  • May accompany reporters on location shoots but not guaranteed

Internships are scheduled based on mutual availability and academic schedule and requirements, but may consist of 16-hours per week

WEATHER:

***Please note: All candidates for internships with WGAL's Weather department MUST be enrolled in a meteorology curriculum or closely related program of study.

In an internship at WGAL we stress analyzing and forecasting first, followed by storytelling and graphics production.

Interns will learn to:

  • Analyze weather charts and models
  • Prepare daily forecasts
  • Produce weather graphics
  • Assist meteorologists in gathering critical & breaking weather information and data
  • Relay important information to/from News, Assignment Desk, and Web
  • Research statistical data
  • Practice forecast delivery in-studio
  • Assist with social media efforts and email communication

Internships are scheduled based on mutual availability and academic schedule and requirements, but may consist of 16-hours per week

Values in Action

At Hearst Television we tell stories every day. Stories about people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities. That's why, behind the scenes, we believe in being an organization that fosters collaboration and open communication, ensuring that the content we create is authentic, accurate, and connected to the communities we serve.

Hearst Television (HTV) owns and/or operates 35 television and two radio stations serving 27 media markets across 39 states reaching over 22 million U.S. television households. HTV is recognized as one of the industry's premier broadcasting companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. we do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, creed, national, origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Apply