WAND-TV News in Decatur, IL is seeking a dynamic and passionate 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 $55,000 - $60,000 annually.