Show Host
University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
Job Description
KUOW has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic journalist and on‑air storyteller to join the station as Show Host 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 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. The 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
Compensation, Benefits, and Position Details Pay Range Minimum:
$108,948.00 annual
Pay Range Maximum:
$129,096.00 annual
Other Compensation:
-
Benefits: For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Temporary or Regular?
This is a regular position
FTE (Full‑Time Equivalent):
100.00%
Union/Bargaining Unit:
SAG‑AFTRA - Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists - KUOW
Our Commitment The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81 (https://policy.uw.edu/directory/po/executive-orders/eo-81-prohibiting-discrimination-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/).
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206‑543‑6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080).
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
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This position requires 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. The 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
Compensation, Benefits, and Position Details Pay Range Minimum:
$108,948.00 annual
Pay Range Maximum:
$129,096.00 annual
Other Compensation:
-
Benefits: For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Temporary or Regular?
This is a regular position
FTE (Full‑Time Equivalent):
100.00%
Union/Bargaining Unit:
SAG‑AFTRA - Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists - KUOW
Our Commitment The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81 (https://policy.uw.edu/directory/po/executive-orders/eo-81-prohibiting-discrimination-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/).
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206‑543‑6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080).
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
#J-18808-Ljbffr