Freelance Production Assistant

Paramount is hiring a Freelance Production Assistant for its CBS News station in San Francisco, CA. This role sits inside the broadcast news production team, where you’ll operate teleprompter during live newscasts, manage archival video materials, and keep the daily newsroom workflow moving. It’s a strong entry point for someone who wants real floor experience in live broadcast television and is serious about building a career in news production.

About the Role

You’ll be embedded in a working newsroom that feeds into one of the largest broadcast news operations in the country, supporting producers and technical staff across live and recorded programming. A typical day combines hands-on production floor work with behind-the-scenes logistics, from pulling archival footage to relaying information across departments. For Freelance Production Assistants who consistently show initiative, cross-training in areas like video editing, social media, and assignment desk coordination may become available over time.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate the teleprompter during live newscasts and recorded broadcast segments, staying in close communication with the anchor and director.
• Locate, catalogue, and retrieve file video and archival material to support producers building packages and rundowns.
• Answer phones, relay time-sensitive information, and handle general newsroom office tasks that keep production on schedule.
• Run set logistics and newsroom errands during active broadcast days, including mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• Support cross-training opportunities in broadcast and digital production, including video editing, news copy writing, and social media content management.
• Assist technical production staff with equipment setup and operations as needed across live television workflows.

What You Bring

• Entry-level candidates are welcome, though some exposure to broadcast news production or live television is a plus.
• Genuine curiosity about journalism, local news, and the mechanics of live broadcast television.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks inside a newsroom that operates on tight deadlines.
• Availability to work flexible hours across mornings, nights, and weekends as required by live broadcast scheduling.
• Reliability and professionalism in a production environment where missed cues have real on-air consequences.

Why This Role

Paramount’s CBS News operation is the home of 60 Minutes, CBS Mornings, and the CBS News Streaming Network, which logged over one billion streams in 2021 across national and local platforms. As a Freelance Production Assistant, you’re working inside a newsroom with direct ties to that national infrastructure, which matters when you’re looking to grow. The hiring rate for this position in California is $18.67 per hour.

Apply now for the Freelance Production Assistant role at Paramount and get your start in live broadcast news production.