About Gray Media:
Today, we are a growing multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 117 full-power television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of US television households. The portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first- and/or second-highest-rated television station in average all-day ratings across 116 such markets measured by Nielsen in 2025. We also own the largest Telemundo Affiliate group, with 46 markets, and Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies and the most advanced digital products and services. Our 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 WLBT:
WLBT is Mississippi's flagship television station and the clear #1 local TV and digital media brand in Central Mississippi. As an NBC affiliate, WLBT consistently delivers award-winning local news coverage, and we keep our viewers safe and informed with the most accurate First Alert Weather team. Located in the state's largest TV market and capital city, our area features top-tier museums, multiple universities, and the state's leading medical facilities, including the renowned University of Mississippi Medical Center. With Mississippi's mild climate, outdoor recreation is a way of life, supported by an extensive network of walking, running, and cycling trails throughout the metro. And for quick getaways, Jackson is just a short drive from beautiful Gulf Coast beaches and all the fun you can handle in New Orleans.
Sports fans will feel right at home here. Our DMA includes two SWAC programs, Jackson State and Alcorn State, and fans of SEC athletics are near four powerhouse schools: Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama, and LSU. Pro sports are close by as well, with Saints and Pelicans action in New Orleans and Grizzlies games in Memphis.
Job Summary/Description:
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic Chief Meteorologist to lead our award-winning First Alert Weather team in one of the nation's most active and consequential severe-weather markets. This role requires exceptional forecasting skill, calm and commanding communication during breaking weather, and an unwavering commitment to protecting and serving our community. The Chief Meteorologist will build on a strong legacy of viewer trust while leading our weather coverage across broadcast, digital, social, and community platforms.
Duties/responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
- Lead the First Alert Weather team and set a high standard for accurate, urgent, clear, and viewer-focused weather coverage.
- Deliver compelling, reliable on-air forecasts, including extended live coverage during severe weather, tornado threats, hurricanes, flooding, winter weather, and other high-impact events.
- Serve as a trusted, consistent on-air voice before, during, and after major weather events, helping viewers understand risks and make informed safety decisions.
- Direct weather strategy across all platforms, including newscasts, streaming, website, mobile, social media, and breaking-news coverage.
- Work closely with newsroom leadership, producers, anchors, reporters, and digital teams to ensure weather information is timely, accurate, easy to understand, and prominent when it matters most.
- Mentor, coach, and develop members of the weather team while fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
- Represent the station and First Alert Weather brand in the community through school visits, public events, severe-weather preparedness outreach, and partnerships with local organizations.
- Maintain strong working knowledge of emerging forecasting tools, radar technology, weather data, and audience-engagement platforms.
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or a closely related field required.
- Significant on-air meteorology experience, including demonstrated leadership in a severe-weather market; prior chief meteorologist or weather-team leadership experience preferred.
- Proven ability to lead extended, live severe-weather coverage with sound editorial judgment, composure, urgency, and accuracy.
- Strong understanding of severe-weather forecasting, radar interpretation, warning operations, and the communication of weather risk to a broad audience.
- Exceptional on-camera presence and the ability to translate complex weather information into clear, conversational, actionable forecasts.
- A demonstrated commitment to community service, audience trust, and building meaningful relationships throughout the market.
- Strong leadership, coaching, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during severe weather and breaking news.
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 " and upload your resume, cover letter, and references.
WLBT-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 at every location where 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 Gray’s employees' ability to perform their job duties may result in discipline, up to and including discharge.
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or a closely related field
- Significant on-air meteorology experience
- Demonstrated leadership in a severe-weather market
- Prior chief meteorologist or weather-team leadership experience
- Ability to lead extended live severe-weather coverage with sound editorial judgment, composure, urgency, and accuracy
- Strong understanding of severe-weather forecasting, radar interpretation, warning operations, and weather-risk communication
- Exceptional on-camera presence and ability to explain complex weather information clearly
- Commitment to community service, audience trust, and market relationships
- Strong leadership, coaching, communication, and collaboration skills
- Availability for flexible scheduling, including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended severe-weather hours
Gray Media Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Gray Media and has not been reviewed or approved by Gray Media.
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Affordable Benefits — A no‑premium employee‑only medical option and heavily subsidized alternatives reduce premium costs, with added features like virtual care, infertility/adoption support, and travel reimbursement. Company‑paid life and disability insurance further bolster overall value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, paid parental leave, and company holidays are presented as standard elements of the package. These are complemented by wellbeing resources such as a 24/7 EAP and substance‑reduction programs.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) Savings Plan is offered, with company materials and listings referencing employer contributions or matching. This provides structured retirement planning within the broader rewards mix.
Gray Media Insights
What We Do
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 43 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. Gray owns a majority interest in Swirl Films. For more information, please visit www.graymedia.com.
