Show Host

KUOW has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic journalist and on-air storyteller to join the station as Show Host [Host (E S SAG-AFTRA)], for its midday program Soundside This role serves as one of the two primary voices of a daily Monday–Thursday newsmagazine, helping shape conversations that inform, engage, and connect communities across the Puget Sound region.

This position requires a is a skilled interviewer, writer, and live broadcaster with strong editorial judgment and a deep commitment to public service journalism. The host will work closely with a production team to research, write, and deliver compelling live and recorded content across formats — including two-way interviews, field reporting, breaking news coverage, and special live events. This position plays a central role in producing thoughtful, relevant programming that reflects the issues, voices, and experiences of our region.

Working closely with the Director of New Content and Innovation, Supervising Producer, and newsroom colleagues, the Show Host will contribute to program development, long-range editorial planning, and continuous improvement of the midday show. The host will help identify story ideas, shape interview strategy, and ensure high-quality guests and conversations that meet KUOW’s journalistic standards. The role also collaborates with Community Engagement to incorporate audience feedback and strengthen connections between the station and the communities it serves.

The Show Host represents KUOW publicly — on air, online, at community events, and through social media — and serves as an ambassador for the station’s mission to create and serve a more informed public. This position also participates in breaking news coverage as needed and may contribute to additional on-air programming, including special broadcasts and fundraising efforts

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Editorial Leadership and On-Air Hosting (Primary Focus)

• Serve as one of two primary hosts of a daily Monday–Thursday Soundside newsmagazine program
• Research, write, and deliver live and recorded segments
• Propose, prepare, and conduct interviews
• Originate story ideas and produce field-based reports
• Maintain strong knowledge of local, national, and international news
• Cultivate and sustain sources in coordination with newsroom leadership
• Contribute to editorial planning and program development with producers and directors
• Provide input on guest selection to ensure quality, relevance, and balance
• Participate in ongoing program performance review and improvement processes

Breaking News and News Coverage

• Serve as a “first responder” in breaking news situations
• Provide timely coverage that may require early mornings, evenings, or weekends
• Collaborate with newsroom teams to ensure accurate, responsive reporting

Audience Engagement and Public Representation

• Engage audiences through social media and digital platforms
• Work with Community Engagement to incorporate listener feedback and identify information needs
• Represent KUOW at public events and community appearances as assigned
• Develop and write companion digital content, including online posts and articles

Collaboration and Strategic Contribution

• Work jointly with the Supervising Producer and Director of New Content and Innovation on long-range editorial strategy
• Contribute ideas that strengthen program quality, audience relevance, and innovation
• Participate in regular editorial reviews and program evaluation
• Support station-wide initiatives as needed

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other occasional on-air duties, including fundraising broadcasts
• Support special programming and live events
• Carry out additional duties as assigned

SUPERVISION

Position reports to the Director of New Content and Innovation and works closely with the Supervising Producer and newsroom leadership.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• • Bachelor’s degree and five years professional broadcast experience including news and public affairs production management and live hosting.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Additional Requirements

• • Demonstrated understanding of professional journalistic standards and ethics

  • Experience producing news and public affairs content

  • Ability to work effectively across live and recorded formats

  • Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced newsroom environment and respond to breaking news

Preferred

• • Experience in public media or newsmagazine programming

  • Experience engaging audiences across digital platforms

  • Familiarity with collaborative newsroom workflows

WORKING CONDITIONS

• • Occasional early morning, evening, or weekend work required, particularly during breaking news or special coverage

  • Position is suitable/eligible for hybrid/occasional telework, consistent with station needs

  • Ability to represent KUOW at public events when assigned

KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio is Seattle’s NPR news station. We are an independent, nonprofit newsroom serving 3.9 million people across our coverage area. As a self-sustaining service of the University of Washington, our mission is to create and serve a more informed public with a vision to broaden conversations and deepen understanding.