Meteorologist at WAND – Decatur, Illinois

WAND-TV News in Decatur, IL is seeking a dynamic and passionate Weekend Evening Meteorologist to join our award-winning team. This is more than just delivering the forecast — we’re looking for someone who thrives in high-impact situations, embraces innovation, and is committed to keeping our viewers informed and safe, especially during severe weather events.

Owned by Block Communications, Inc., a private family-owned company, WAND focuses on our employees, producing high-quality journalism, and serving our viewers on a variety of platforms.

Essential Duties:

• Deliver accurate, engaging, and informative weathercasts across all platforms
• Analyze and interpret data to forecast changing conditions, including severe and hazardous weather
• Provide critical severe weather coverage live on-air, online, and via social media
• Create innovative weather graphics and visual storytelling tools for both TV and digital platforms
• Represent WAND News at public events and through promotional appearances
• Maintain daily updates to our website, weather blog, and social media with relevant content
• Collaborate with a talented team of meteorologists to provide comprehensive weather coverage.

Qualifications:

• Proven ability to interpret and communicate complex meteorological data
• Strong forecasting skills with attention to trends and potential atmospheric hazards
• Exceptional on-air presence and communication skills tailored to TV, web, and social platforms
• Confident and clear in ad-lib situations, especially during long-form severe weather coverage
• Deadline-driven with the ability to multitask under pressure
• A team player with excellent interpersonal skills
• Flexible and dependable—ready to step in when severe weather strikes

Education: Bachelor of Science in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science (required)

Experience: 1–3 years of on-air meteorology experience in a commercial television newsroom

Technical Skills: Proficiency in complex weather production systems (The Weather Company or similar), strong understanding of standard computer software, and social media platforms and tools

WAND is centrally located in the Springfield-Decatur-Champaign market in Decatur, Illinois, and offers an incredible low cost-of-living, a family atmosphere, superior culture, and industry-leading benefits.

Decatur is home to Lake Decatur, an outdoor amphitheater, parks, golf courses, quality restaurants, the Scovill Zoo, Children’s Museum of Illinois, a convention center, and several universities. Decatur is a charitable and giving community with friendly and hard-working neighbors. It’s also home to a great arts scene, antiques, and has several sports and recreational spots.

Decatur has its own airport. Chicago is 3 hours to the north and St. Louis is 2 hours to the southwest.

Some added benefits to working for WAND:

• Low-cost health insurance with free dental and vision
• Company paid HSA
• Company paid life insurance
• 6% company match on 401(k) contributions
• Family first values
• Generous time-off policy
• Regular professional development opportunities

Expected pay range for this position is $45,000 - $50,000 annually.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Use of Company Resources, Equipment and Confidential Information

Company resources, equipment and information are provided to employees to facilitate work. They may not be used for purposes other than work without proper authorization. Any unauthorized use of company resources, equipment or information is strictly prohibited. Any unauthorized use of customer data or any other company information gained via any company resource is a breach of confidentiality and is strictly prohibited. Any unauthorized use of company resources, equipment information and/or breaches of confidentiality may be cause for termination of employment.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required and may be expanded or changed to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.