Current Available Jobs for WREX

Do you love to tell stories about inspiring athletes and coaches?

Do you want to highlight local high school athletic programs where NBA and NFL players got their start?

Oh… and speaking of professional sports… do you want to go LIVE from the home of the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, and White Sox?

Then, 13 WREX in Rockford, Illinois has an opportunity for you.

We are searching for our next Sports Anchor / Multimedia Journalist.

Just 50 minutes west of Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, Rockford is a city on the rise - and 13 WREX is a sports powerhouse, covering sports stories that appeal to our entire community.

The successful candidate will enterprise and produce feature stories, shoot highlights, assist with the production of the day’s sports segment; and anchor local sports coverage in our evening newscasts.

The Rockford, Illinois market is a great place to live with a great quality of life, low cost of living, ample recreation, and close to Chicago, Madison, and Milwaukee!

Want to join our award-winning team?

Note: Applicants must successfully pass a driving record check and background screening.

WREX, the NBC affiliate in Rockford, IL, is looking for an innovative Meteorologist who is passionate about weather and understands its daily impact on people.  We are looking for a meteorologist who is willing to go above and beyond to provide comprehensive, creative and captivating weather segments for our viewers. 

WREX provides our meteorologists top of the line graphics and equipment to help produce award-winning coverage.  This position includes on-air weather coverage during our 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. broadcasts, Monday through Friday.  This position also has the expectation of extended hours at non-scheduled times for major weather events and station initiatives. 

The ideal candidate will have on-air experience and a degree in meteorology, journalism or a related field.  Social Media is also a big part of the commitment we have to our viewers.  Proficiency on Facebook, X and other networking sites is a must.  You’ll be working with WSI MAX system. Experience in Adobe Creative Suite software, specifically Photoshop and After Effects is a plus. 

The Rockford market is a great place to live with numerous colleges and universities, good quality of life, ample recreation and close proximity (1 hour distance) to Chicago and Madison.

Applicants must successfully pass a background and driving screening.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

• Produce original digital content for all of WREX-TV digital platforms, including but not limited to websites, apps and social media
• Excel in breaking news situations, accurately reporting and updating information as it happens online
• Work closely with assignment editors, broadcast producers and newsroom managers to coordinate three-screen synergy (TV, digital, mobile) around news coverage
• Use various metrics to identify digital content priority and placement decisions to grow digital audiences
• Copy edit content written by others and correct errors, grammar and punctuation following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines.
• Ensure all content meets company standards for journalistic integrity and production quality.

Specialized Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong working knowledge and experience with an online CMS (Knowledge of BLOX is a plus)
• Strong grasp of posting to various social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram
• Excellent reading, writing, spelling, grammar and organizational skills
• Write in a smart, conversational and shareable manner with a creative format and style
• Strong understanding of AP style, SEO best practices, Google Analytics a plus
• Basic Photoshop and video editing skills
• Basic HTML knowledge
• Exceptional ability to multitask
• Ability to shoot video for digital platforms a plus

Education/Experience:

·         Bachelors degree in Communication/Journalism or related degree required.

·         A minimum of 2 years of experience in digital content and journalism

Work Environment/Mental/Physical Requirements:

High stress office environment with deadline pressures. Position will require you to prioritize tasks and multitask daily, and well as manage multiple projects simultaneously with frequent change in direction and priority. You must be able to work outside of normal business hours, including nights and weekends.

NOTE:  This job description contains the basic requirements for the position and is NOT intended to be a complete list of responsibilities; other duties may be assigned.