2026 Board Operator

Friends of KEXP; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 34,095 - 48,560; Part time

Job summary

KEXP is seeking a part-time Board Operator in Seattle to provide technical support during scheduled shifts: Saturdays 6:00pm–9:00pm and Mondays 7:00pm–10:00pm, in person.

Responsibilities include operating for remote broadcasts from the Bay Area, coordinating with hosts and live engineers, maintaining real-time playlists, monitoring FCC compliance, reporting issues, and keeping studio equipment and space orderly. Position reports to the Senior Production Engineer.

Qualifications

• Two years of production experience, including audio recording, audio editing or broadcasting.
• Excellent attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to take initiative and use independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Strong self-motivation and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams and adapt communication styles.

Responsibilities

• Serves as board operator for remote broadcasts originating in the Bay Area, coordinating with on-air hosts and maintaining real-time playlists.
• Operates during live in-studio performances and remote broadcasts, coordinating with hosts and engineers and following protocol during signal loss.
• Monitors broadcasts for FCC violations and reports issues to the manager.
• Communicates scheduling changes in a timely fashion and reports equipment or procedural issues promptly.
• Maintains cleanliness and proper operation of studio equipment.

Job description

Description

Position Summary:

This part-time Board Operator position provides technical assistance and support for all aspects of Bay Area-based broadcasts during scheduled shifts: Saturdays from 6:00pm – 9:00pm; and Mondays from 7:00pm – 10:00pm.

Essential duties include, but is not limited to:

• Serves as board operator for remote broadcast of shows originating in the Bay Area, currently Vinelands on a weekly basis and El Sonido every other week. This includes coordinating with on-air host, maintaining real-time playlist, following protocol in instances of signal loss, and communicating with Op Techs.
• Serves as board operator during live in-studio performances and remote broadcasts including coordinating with on-air host and live performance engineer, maintaining real-time playlist during the live performance, and following protocol in instances of signal loss, as assigned.
• Communicates about scheduling changes in a timely fashion.
• Promptly reports equipment, software, or procedural issues.
• Monitors broadcast for FCC violations, activates dump, and reports instances back to manager.
• Operates studio equipment and ensures cleanliness of studio space.

General Organizational Responsibilities:

• Maintains thorough understanding of KEXP organizational policies, including employee handbook, procedures, expense reporting, and payroll submission; follows policies and leads by example.
• Actively participates in our culture of philanthropy, which honors the important role our donors, volunteers, business and community partners play in the life of KEXP. Collaborates across teams and departments to steward donors on behalf of KEXP and actively seeks opportunities to integrate philanthropy into their role within KEXP operations, programs, and projects.

Supervision Received:

Position reports to the Senior Production Engineer.

Supervision Exercised:

None

Requirements

Education & Experience:

Two years of production experience, including audio recording, audio editing or broadcasting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed above.

Position Qualifications:

• Outstanding attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to take initiative and use independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Strong self-motivation in carrying out responsibilities, organizing and prioritizing multiple tasks, and meeting deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, relationship-building, and communication skills – both written and verbal – for a wide variety of audiences, specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams, as well as provide consistent, high-quality service to a wide variety of internal and external constituents, and adapt communication style to multiple cultural environments.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain grace under pressure, especially while working in a demanding work environment with regular interruptions and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and promote a positive working environment, spirit of cooperation, and react positively to change and conflict resolution.
• Deep knowledge, appreciation for, and understanding of KEXP programming and mission.
• Ability to embody the community-oriented spirit of KEXP to both internal and external constituents.

Physical Requirements:

Long periods of being in a stationary position; operating a computer, mixing board, and other studio equipment; frequently moving to/from various work areas; frequently communicating by phone and email; frequently remaining in a stationary position during broadcasts, expressing oneself, and exchanging accurate information; occasionally moves supplies and/or equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.

Working Conditions:

On-air booths and production studios. This position is in person only, based in Seattle.

Compensation:

This position averages 6 hours per week to start. Pay is $30 per hour.

KEXP is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and empowering workplace. We believe that having staff, interns, and volunteers with diverse backgrounds enables KEXP to better meet our mission and serve music-loving communities around the world. We recognize that opportunities in radio and other creative industries have historically excluded and continue to disproportionately exclude Black and Indigenous people, people of color, people from working class backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ people. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply.

Position is open until filled.