DJ Specialty Show - Music from Asia & the Asian diaspora

This 3-hour show is meant to bring Asian voices and music to the center of KEXP’s programming each week by highlighting and celebrating the rich musical history along with the newest releases from across Asia, The Pacific, and the diaspora. It’s a mix of building connections at home in the Pacific Northwest and simultaneously spanning the globe. True to KEXP’s programming, it will feature the newest music from Asian communities around the world alongside the music that inspired today’s sounds.

Position Summary: The Specialty Show DJ is a regular, part-time position responsible for producing and hosting a Specialty Show on-air shift on a regular basis for public radio station KEXP. KEXP DJs both discover music, researching on their own and exploring new music rotation, and curate their shows to include a mix of up-to-the-moment releases and well-known artists from the KEXP library. They engage with listeners and donors, expanding the audience’s musical horizons. KEXP DJs also play a vital role in annual fundraising campaigns and events, helping listeners become donors and increasing engagement.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to:

• Produces, programs, and hosts a KEXP Specialty Show radio program (on-air shift).
• Arrives at least one hour prior to start of on-air shift in order to prepare for show; goes on-air with a well-prepared show and professional demeanor.
• Using three hours of paid prep time, thoroughly prepares for show each week, including previewing music, communicating with listeners, researching relevant artists, music, features, and artist interviews, and previewing business support needs as required for show preparation.
• Provides additional content to KEXP’s channels as assigned.
• Follows all KEXP Programming Guidelines (including New Rotation guidelines, if applicable), rules, and regulations; follows specific Programming Guidelines relating to KEXP Specialty Shows.
• Ensures compliance with the mission, goals, and editorial policies of KEXP and performs all job duties and assigned tasks in a reliable and professional manner.
• Adheres to all Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations.
• Participates in on-air fundraising efforts as assigned.
• Represents KEXP at public events.
• When available, fills in for other on-air shifts.
• Participates in annual review and aircheck processes as assigned.
• Attends mandatory training sessions and review/aircheck meetings.
• Attends KEXP staff meetings, including DJ meets, All-Hands meetings, and others as applicable.

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: Reports to DJ Manager.

Supervision Exercised: Directly supervises the DJ Assistant (volunteer position).

Experience: In-depth knowledge of relevant music genre and/or experience performing, writing, or DJing in the relevant music community.

Position Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of a variety of relevant musical genres, with specific focus and in-depth knowledge of the particular genre for the assigned Specialty Show.
• Demonstrated ability to mix music on the air.
• Demonstrated aptitude for learning and understanding new software and systems.
• Consistent availability during hours scheduled for show.
• Ability to flex communication style to multiple cultural environments.
• Experience building community and conducting outreach on behalf of an organization.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color, in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a decision-making process.
• An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on under-invited communities, either through lived experience and/or training and education.
• Commitment to advancing justice and equity in the arts with a passion for community building.
• Outstanding attention to detail.
• Commitment to maintain confidentiality and a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to take initiative and use independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Strong self-motivation and independence in carrying out responsibilities, organizing and prioritizing multiple tasks, and meeting deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, relationship-building, and communication skills - both written and verbal - which transcend diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams, as well as provide consistent, high-quality service to a wide variety of internal and external constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a professional demeanor, especially while working in a fast-paced environment of constant demands and frequent interruptions.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and promote a positive working environment, spirit of cooperation, and positive reactions 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 audio/visual equipment, computers, and other office equipment; frequently moving to/from various work areas; occasionally ascending/descending stairs; frequently communicating by phone and email; frequently remaining in a stationary position during meetings, discerning meeting content, expressing oneself, and exchanging accurate information; frequently moving to/from off-site meeting and/or event locations; occasionally moves supplies and/or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions: Primary location in typical business office environment and audio studio (DJ booth), with frequent meetings and event attendance at a variety of off-site locations.

Compensation & Benefits: This part-time, non-exempt position is paid $34 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 individuals with these identities to apply.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter to apply. If you experience technical difficulties with your application, please email jobs@kexp.org for assistance.