CHIEF METEOROLOGIST - WSAW/WZAW

About Gray Media:

Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formally known as Gray Television, Inc. 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 WSAW/WZAW:

WSAW is Wausau's first TV station, debuting 71 years ago in 1954. Together, WSAW/WZAW produce more than 30 hours of news each week. We work hard and celebrate our wins. In 2025, the news team was recognized as the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association “News Operation of the Year” and also small market “Station of the Year” (for coverage airing in 2024). Also in 2025, WSAW’s podcast— Forgotten: Wisconsin Cold Cases—was honored with a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for the second-straight year.

North central Wisconsin is known as the "Crossroads of Commerce.” Wausau is centrally located within 3 hours or less of Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Green Bay; and is just a two-hour drive from Madison, the state’s capital city. In Wausau, you will live and work where thousands of people come to vacation each year. Whether you're skiing down the slopes of Granite Peak, boating on Lake Du Bay, or enjoying Concerts on the Square or a show at The Grand Theater in downtown Wausau, there's something for everyone, and you will enjoy the community we serve.

Job Summary/Description:

WSAW is looking for a passionate meteorologist to lead our First Alert Weather team as our next Chief Meteorologist. This is your opportunity to be the trusted voice of evening weather in North Central Wisconsin. If you can turn complex science into compelling television and genuinely believe great forecasting saves lives, let's talk.

Our next Chief Meteorologist will have the drive and talent to be number one in the market by informing and preparing our viewers, and providing timely and life-saving information. The successful candidate must be able to produce and deliver dynamic, compelling, and understandable forecasts and "explainers" for our newscasts and digital platforms. You must be able to identify the "weather story of the day" and support our "First Alert" philosophy. You will cover severe weather with urgency, while also being reassuring.

Our meteorologists work in a multi-platform environment and contribute daily to our digital platforms, including our streaming studio, weather app, and wsaw.com.

Responsibilities also include working directly with news producers and anchors to build out our coverage and make it meaningful and relatable to our viewers. Our meteorologists will work in the studio and in the field, bringing our viewers the weather story wherever it unfolds. Strong, consistent leadership and teamwork are a must.

Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

- Build and deliver accurate, easy-to-understand, and engaging weather forecasts on-air and on our streaming and digital platforms.
- Create original weather content for all platforms supporting our "First Alert" philosophy.
- A strong candidate will also have an established and responsible presence and show proficiency with generating content on all digital platforms, including the station website, social media, and CTV.
- Exhibit a desire to win, show initiative, and have the ability to reflect on your work and apply feedback. Expect, coach, and hold the First Alert Weather Team to do the same.
- Proactively plan for short and long-range weather. Collaborate with the News Director and other news managers on coverage plans, including any needed resources, staffing & schedule changes.
- Flexibility to work long hours/overtime, weekends, and overnights as needed for First Alert Weather Days, breaking and severe weather, and other specialized coverage.
- Our weather team is involved in the newsroom and the community. The person we hire must have a positive attitude and be an ambassador for the station by participating in station campaigns and making personal appearances at community events.
- Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

- A BA or BS degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or an equivalent background is required. Seals from the National Weather Association and/or American Meteorological Society are a plus, but not mandatory.
- At least two years of prior experience as a broadcast meteorologist
- Strong on-air communication skills
- Ability to work as part of an on-air team and part of a weather team
- Command of WSI Max and their various platforms
- Ability to be creative with graphic design and presentation
- Demonstrated ability to accurately forecast weather
- Understanding of and adherence to AP Style (on digital platforms) and broadcast writing for television.
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), proven news judgement, ethics, and integrity.
- Strong work ethic, organizational, and leadership skills. Must be able to work quickly, meet deadlines, multi-task and show composure, especially during active and severe weather.
- Clean driving record, the ability to drive safely in various weather conditions, and a valid driver's license are mandatory for this position.

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)

WSAW/WZAW-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.