As American society grows more divided and isolated, the civic discourse and community conversation of local call-in radio shows becomes even more unusual and increasingly important. And yet, for shows like KQED’s Forum, we haven’t yet figured out how to translate that civic dialogue and conversation into the digital world. 

This digital community producer position is a newly-created role at KQED that will help us experiment, explore and build the Forum community in the non-radio world. This producer is leading this effort at Forum and KQED over the next two years, pioneering how to make this happen, specifically in emerging social platforms such as Discord, Mastodon, Signal or using text messaging. 

A strong candidate will have experience and skill participating, moderating and leading digital community forums, particularly Discord. (This experience could be personal or professional). That experience will be critical because we expect this producer to engage users by hosting regular moderated discussions that jump off of topics and discussions in the broadcast. This producer’s mandate will be to start small and iterate.

This producer could also work with key partners and will help develop new strategies and growth for podcast, on-demand and digital audiences to participate in this civic dialogue.

The producer will be a full member of the Forum team, and will assist in producing individual Forum shows that have a digital growth, and like all other Forum staff, this producer will be a key and critical decision maker on the show and responsible for planning and developing the program’s topics, sources and issue research. 

KQED envisions a public media organization with a culture that centers on human dignity, equity, and belonging. This will enable us to better serve and reflect the Bay Area through diverse and inclusive storytelling. 

We value the contributions of marginalized people in society — including Black, Indigenous, and all people of color,  people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people — and we believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do, and we strongly encourage members of these communities to apply.

This position is a two year contract.

Salary Range: $80,000-$100,000 annually

The mission that drives us:

KQED provide citizens of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media.   We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone and engage audiences to share their stories. We help students and teachers thrive in 21st-century classrooms, and take people of all ages on journeys of exploration- exposing them to new people, places and ideas.

This role will work hybrid between working in KQED's newly renovated headquarters and working remotely. KQED requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Salary Information: 

Essential Functions:

• Manages and facilitates or builds conversations on Discord and other digital community platforms.  
• Develops and produces shows based on online conversations to on-air discussions and vice versa.
• Plans and develops on-air and digital program content including selecting guests.
• Pre-interviews news sources and prepares background information and other editorial material for conversation and show production.
• Participates in special coverage and online activities with other KQED news staff.
• Helps coordinate Forum promotional events with appropriate KQED staff

Knowledge/Experience Required:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• At least one year experience in a similar role in a newsroom or news environment, bilingual newsroom preferred
• Experience and skills in participating and managing Discord or other online community forums
• Experience writing and editing quickly and accurately in English 
• Proven collaboration skills — which are essential in working with fellow KQED staffers across departments and with partner organizations
• Experience navigating the front and back end of a content management system 
• Familiarity with social media and engagement platforms
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to stay focused, organized and proactive
• Familiarity with AP style
• Experience with copy editing multimedia content such as graphics, interactives or videos

Knowledge/Experience Desired:

• Working knowledge of a range of significant public affairs issues and subjects such as government and politics, the economy, education, health, immigration, legal affairs, the environment and cultural community life.  Demonstrated interest in literature and the arts preferred.