How to hire a field producer

How to hire a field producer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step field producer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a field producer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new field producer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your field producer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a field producer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A field producer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, field producers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of field producer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Field Producer	Description	Hourly rate
   Field Producer	Producers and directors create motion pictures, television shows, live theater, commercials, and other performing arts productions. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.	$14-38
   Photographer, Editor	A Photographer, Editor selects, edits, and positions photos in print and web publications. They work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other publications.	$17-34
   Freelance Videographer/Editor	A freelance videographer/editor is responsible for processing and editing video contents, usually on a project basis. Freelance videographer/editors create their footage using their shooting equipment, utilize various design and editing software, and finish the project based on the clients' specifications and deliverables... Show more	$16-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Video Production
   • Booking
   • Reality
   • Video Content
   • B-Roll
   • Facebook
   • Camera Operation
   • DSLR
   • Newsgathering
   • News Stories
   • News Coverage
   • Control Room
   • NYC
   • ABC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Hire national and international crews, lead on-site location scouting, conduct on-site interviews and determine b-roll to be shoot.
   • Manage all production activities for fast-pace popular daytime reality series.
   • Manage the QA process including test/debug cycles and platform compliance/compatibility testing.
   • Hire nationally to cover NFL, MLB, NBA and NCAA breaking news.
   • Coordinate with external agencies, including the NHL, NFL, MLB, STX, UMMS, & MSP.
   • Assist in coordinating and booking events for daily entertainment news.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your field producer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A field producer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, field producers' average salary in hawaii is 56% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level field producers earn 63% less than senior-level field producers.
   • Certifications. A field producer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a field producer's salary.

   Average field producer salary

   $49,364yearly

   $23.73 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level field producer salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a field producer job description

   A good field producer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a field producer job description:

   Field producer job description example

   Newport Beach,California,United States
   
   Hardware
   
   + At least 5 years experience producing unscripted content.
   
   + Must be comfortable traveling and have experience field producing domestic and international premium content.
   
   + Problem solver, ability to quickly react to current events and find creative solutions.
   
   + Ability to work well under pressure with tight deadlines and handle last minute changes.
   
   + Functional knowledge of industry terminology, equipment types and production roles deployed in a typical production scenario.
   
   + Team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
   
   + Leadership skills when in the field, managing production and crews.
   
   + Role will require flexibility with production hours, extensive travel, nights and weekends may be required.
   
   **Description**
   
   In this role, you will lead the production of unscripted content. You must be highly organized and able to handle a very rigorous schedule. You will be in charge of production logistics and ensure that all assets are ready before heading into the field. Once on set, you'll lead the crew and manage production. You must be excellent at conveying information and liaising with various departments and teams. This is a traveling position that requires many days on the road and flexible hours.
   
   **Education & Experience**
   
   Bachelors Degree or equivalent experience.
   
   **Additional Requirements**
   
   + - Existing credits as field producer on premium unscripted and/or news programming.
   
   + - Past experience working with local fixers, crews and foreign environments.
   
   + - Past experience working on travel and/or adventure series is a plus.
   
   + - Several languages spoken is a plus.
   
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   Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant (Opens in a new window) .
   
   Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation or that of other applicants. United States Department of Labor. Learn more (Opens in a new window) .
   
   Apple is required to comply with a COVID-19 vaccination mandate issued by the New York City Department of Health. We will verify the vaccination status of all New York City team members who are working at an Apple Store, office, or partner store in New York City. New York City Department of Health Learn more (Opens in a new window) .
   
   Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you're applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines (opens in a new window) applicable in your area.
   
   Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program (Opens in a new window) .
   
   Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more (Opens in a new window) .

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find field producers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your field producer job on Zippia to find and recruit field producer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting field producers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new field producer

   Once you've decided on a perfect field producer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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