Nexstar Media

KGET, the legacy No. 1 station in Bakersfield, is looking for a leader for our top-rated morning show.

We are the NBC station in Market 125, a hundred miles north of Los Angeles. Our news has been top-rated in every daypart for a quarter century. We got that market position by fronting our newscasts with smart, witty, relatable anchors.

That's who we're looking for.

Our anchors aren’t just talking heads. We expect them to earn their chairs by being the best reporters in town. It is essential viewers know he or she is a serious journalist, not just some pretty face who reads what someone else wrote.

Whoever holds this prestigious position will have the full support of a driven and talented news team. He or she will be encouraged to chase their passions, creating special reports on issues that move them. He or she will do live reports from breaking news scenes.

Our anchors are key to KGET’s commitment to community service. They are emcees at all the important local events – State of the City, University Hall of Fame, cancer walk, heart walk, etc. They are moderators at debates, hosts at town halls and grand marshals at parades.

They are community leaders.

There are two anchors on 17News@Sunrise. There is a producer, meteorologist, reporter, associate producer, editor and director.

This 5 – 7 a.m. newscast is aimed at moms, but it’s a real newscast, not a female-oriented chat show. We do our share of water cooler stories and cute-pet videos, but we’re aiming for stories that tell fathers and mothers how to keep their families safe or how to run a more efficient household.

It’s a formula that has paid off. Not only does our 6 a.m. newscast have more viewers than our closest competitor’s 5 p.m., but our team has been showered with awards. Our Sunrise newscast has won multiple Emmys. In a three-state, 50-station category, we have won the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence six times in the last 10 years.

This position will come open in late March.

Pay for this job starts at $65,000.

Additional job description:

The News Anchor serves as the primary presenter of news stories and other content for all platforms in a manner that is clear, engaging and meaningful to news consumers. Presents news stories and other content for all platforms.

He or she:

• Ensures that all news content meets company standards for journalistic integrity and production quality.
• Writes and delivers news stories in a clear and concise manner.
• Produces newscasts and communicates clear direction with team members.
• Assists in writing, copy editing, researching and coordinating news programming and other content.
• Acts as a field reporter as assigned.
• Conducts interviews with news personnel and others.
• Responds to breaking news and other urgent newsrooms situations as required.
• Participates in promotional activities including public appearances.
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Edits video clips as assigned.
• Writes content for the website and other eMedia platforms.
• Interacts with viewers/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.
• Fluency in English.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with the ability to ad lib when required.
• Superior on-air presence.
• Excellent news judgment with an expansive knowledge of local and national current events, history, newsmakers and issues.
• 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.