Part-Time Storm Chaser

Part-Time Storm Chaser (Field Weather Coverage)

KOCO-TV is looking for a part-time Storm Chaser to join one of our many two-person severe weather chase teams. This is high-pressure, real-time work supporting on-air meteorologists during rapidly changing conditions. One team member drives. The other monitors radar, data, and communications. Precision, calm judgment, and ethical decision-making are non-negotiable.

Role Overview
Storm Chasers provide critical, ground-level reports during severe weather events. This position may serve as either the driver or the radar/data operator, depending on assignment.

Key Responsibilities

• Safely operate a vehicle or monitor radar, weather data, and communications from the passenger seat during severe weather.
• Capture live and recorded video using station-authorized equipment for on-air and digital platforms.
• Report live on-air observations when directed.
• Relay accurate, timely storm details to station meteorologists, including severity, movement, and real-time conditions from the field.
• Monitor weather conditions before and during deployments to anticipate storm development.
• Adhere strictly to journalistic ethics, safety protocols, and station policies at all times.

Work Schedule

• No fixed schedule. Hours are dictated by weather conditions.
• Availability required on short notice when severe weather is forecast.
• Assignments are made at the direction of station meteorologists or news management.

Important Note
This is not a casual field position. Severe weather coverage is intense, unpredictable, and safety critical. Teamwork, judgment, and professionalism are essential.

Required Qualifications

• Clean driving record (required for all team members).
• Strong situational awareness and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Understanding of and commitment to journalistic ethics and accuracy.
• Ability to follow direction precisely and communicate clearly in fast-moving situations.
• Willingness to work in all weather conditions.

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.

Every career with Hearst Television is like a story. How it develops, where it takes you, the milestones you reach along the way – you’ve got a lot to look forward to as your unique career story unfolds. Hearst Television, a subsidiary of Hearst, owns and operates local television and radio stations serving nearly three dozen U.S. cities, reaching 24 million U.S. television households. Through its partnership with nearly all major networks, Hearst Television distributes national content across more than 120 video channels, including programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, MY Net, MeTV, This TV, Estrella, and more. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry's premier companies. It has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism and industry innovation, including the Walter Cronkite Award for political journalism, the national Edward R. Murrow Award, the DuPont-Columbia Award, and the George Foster Peabody Award.