San Diego State University Research Foundation
KPBS Freelance News Producer

US-CA-San Diego

Job ID: 2026-20194
Type: Part-Time Contract
# of Openings: 1
Category: Radio/TV/Multimedia
KPBS

Overview

The salary range for this position is $25.00 - $30.00 per hour depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

This position is scheduled to close on 4/23/26 at 4:00pm (PST).

This position is filled on an on-call, as-needed basis with no set schedule or guaranteed number of hours.

KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining and educational television, radio, and digital programming. KPBS TV/FM is the public television and radio station for San Diego. Licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS supports and furthers the university’s educational and community service mission by informing, enlightening and empowering its audience. It does so not only by presenting national and locally produced programming of value to its San Diego audience, but also by producing programming about San Diego and its people for distribution nationwide.

Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff perks, weekly farmer's market, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.
• Hybrid schedule/ remote work flexibility options (varies by position)
• Enjoy a 'beautiful day in the neighborhood' with local employee discounts
• Opportunity drawings to attend SDSU basketball games, local concerts and events
• Free wellness classes & programs
• Staff pop-up events
• Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
• On-site childcare at a discounted rate (based on availability)
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development
• Employee assistance program
• Voluntary retirement savings plan
  

Responsibilities

The Freelance News Producer supports radio newscasts and audio editing. KPBS’s newscasts aim to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of their community while inspiring, informing, and engaging thoughtful conversation. This role requires strong news judgment, the ability to meet daily or hourly deadlines, and proficiency, or the capacity to quickly develop proficiency, in audio editing. Success in this position also depends on strong collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills. This position may also contribute to digital and social platforms, including KPBS.org.

This position reports to the Senior Producer of Audio and works closely with a cross-functional news team, including producers, anchors, hosts, news editors, videojournalists, reporters, production assistants, and fellows across all platforms, as well as the radio operations team. The Freelance News Producer may also be asked to repurpose segments for use across additional shows and platforms.

Producing (80%)

Coordinate and create content for radio newscasts, the San Diego News Now daily podcast and KPBS.org. This includes writing copy for broadcast, coordinating with student assistants to pull in outside content, and pitching, booking, and writing scripts for two-ways.Work closely with radio anchors on newscast rundowns for accuracy and timeliness.Track and update information in newscast platform Inception and Google Drive.Gather audio/video in the field on occasion and as needed.Edit audio using Adobe Audition. This includes editing two-ways with anchors, repurposing content from Midday Edition and web and social media projects.Work on content that falls outside of the regular newscasts, including assisting with Midday Edition, the San Diego News Now podcast or special programs like election shows and debates as needed.Help with coordination with field reporters during breaking news.

Planning (15%)

Assist in planning for upcoming shows.Read, listen, watch, and follow major developments on stories of interest to the public media audience in San Diego and Imperial counties. Maintain contact lists and files for continuing coverage and accumulation of knowledge.Brainstorms ideas with editors, hosts, reporters, and producers.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned (5%)

Attend meetings, represent the station at community-building events, perform appropriate record keeping, manage correspondence, phone calls, supplies and equipment, may participate in on-air fundraising activities, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of journalistic techniques, materials, and equipment used in news production. Ability to use programs for the creation of audio news content including software to organize newscast rundowns and audio editing software such as Adobe Audition. Ability to consistently write with AP/Broadcast style, structure and grammar.Ability to write on at least one platform (audio, video, or web) and the willingness to develop competence on one other or both platforms. Ability and willingness to work varied shifts, and to respond to breaking news as needed. Ability to perform moderately complex technical work and produce daily news content. Ability to interact/communicate effectively with co-workers and audience members on all relevant news mediums and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to display organization and manage time efficiently, meet deadlines, display detail orientation, and possess good judgment. Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity and strong interpersonal skills. Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff members and students.

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work in journalism.

Minimum Experience

At least 2 years of progressively responsible or related experience in journalism along with basic news judgment, understanding of journalism ethics and the ability to swiftly and accurately report or produce breaking news on all platforms.

Preferred Qualifications and Special Skills

Broad knowledge of current San Diego regional issues.Ability to think creatively about topics and story angles.Ability to speak, read, write, and translate Spanish.

Additional Applicant Information

Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law. Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices. SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.