Morning Edition Host, CapRadio News

Department: Content/Programming
Status: Exempt, Full-Time
End Date: Open Until Filled

Summary
You check your copy. You line up your audio. You take a deep breath. And you open your mic.

“This is listener-supported CapRadio News,” you tell the 100,000 people in Northern California and Western Nevada who wake up to your voice each week on public radio’s flagship newsmagazine.

CapRadio News is hiring a new Morning Edition host for the first time in more than 20 years! You’ll be based in Sacramento, the vibrant and burgeoning state capital of the world’s fifth-largest economy, and you’ll be heard on CapRadio’s four NPR News stations that cover the Sacramento, Stockton/Modesto and Tahoe/Reno media markets.

We’re a growing organization – even in the face of the pandemic! We’re telling new stories, launching new podcasts, creating new music shows and crafting new events to lead community conversations. In the coming months, we’ll be moving into our brand-new downtown studios.

This position is one of our most prominent on-air voices, and we’re searching for someone who’s informed, inquisitive, authentic, comfortable with change, and unafraid to experiment. (Not to mention, someone who enjoys starting their workday around 3 a.m.!)

When you’re on the air, you’re living right there in the moment with our listeners. You acknowledge the emotion they’re feeling after a poignant story or interview. You highlight a Sacramento connection to a national story. And you might even sprinkle in a bit of humor from time to time.

You like to know what’s going on. You’re connected to the world around you — and your local community. And when a major news moment breaks, you adapt, you pivot, and you collaborate with your colleagues to ensure CapRadio News shines when our audience needs us the most.

If this sounds like you, we hope you’ll apply to be our next Morning Edition host!

We’re focused on building a diverse and inclusive organization and that takes all kinds of people. So if you’re excited about this role but don't meet all of the qualifications listed below, we encourage you to apply. 

A few notes about this opening:

• This is not an entry level position. The ideal candidate should be comfortable hosting live broadcast breaks, know their way around a studio, and have some experience running their own board
• It’s okay if your broadcast experience isn’t in public radio, or you’ve worked with different audio equipment than what we’ve listed below. What matters is that you’re familiar with the terrain and have an aptitude to learn quickly
• Some public radio stations use a single local Morning Edition voice. At CapRadio News, we feature two: a host and a news anchor.. The anchor is responsible for local newscasts and feature/interview segments, while the host handles the other breaks. If you’re looking for a job whose primary focus is journalistic, this position may not be the right fit for you
• That said, Morning Edition is a news show, so the ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of current events and be highly connected to national and local stories

• If you’re confident in your skills and experience but concerned that you may not meet every requirement laid out in this job description, that’s OK. We’ll give you the training needed and space to succeed — and fail — and we’ll support you during your first year on the job

 Position Responsibilities:

• Hosts live and pre-recorded breaks during the weekday morning News shift, combining best practices in promotion and other elements — including live improvisation — to create a warm, compelling listener experience
• Partners with the Morning Anchor, CapRadio News to weave national and local program content together, creating a seamless air shift
• Operates the studio board while hosting, which consists of selecting and playing programs, music, promos and other elements from in-house and external sources
• Exercises independent judgment and collaborates with Content and Operations staff to ensure timely, appropriate audience service during breaking news and major events
• Must be able to work a Monday-Friday shift that starts at 3 a.m.

• Adheres to and signs the daily traffic log for each shift
• Participates in on-air fundraising — as a host, pitcher or other capacity — as assigned, demonstrating independent judgment and improvisation, particularly in live radio settings

• Voice tracks and produces promos, fund drive spots, image spots, corporate support messages, pre-recorded host breaks and other elements, as assigned
• Writes and edits on-air copy, and updates the CapRadio News Promo Sheet, as assigned
• Attends Programming Department and CapRadio All-Staff meetings in person or virtually

 Qualifications/Experience:

• 3+ years of hosting or other live broadcast experience
• Familiarity with public radio news and cultural programming standards and values
• Demonstrated broadcast voicing, writing, editing and production skills that meet industry standards
• Competency in operating radio broadcast and production equipment, including but not limited to: microphones, audio consoles, file-based digital production/playout/delivery systems, and audio distribution/routing systems
• Experience with ENCO/DAD (or other automation systems) and/or Audio Over IP a plus.

• Strong interest and understanding of current events in Northern California and globally, and the ability to tie into host breaks
• Ability to work on deadline in a live program environment that may require invention and improvisation under stress without prior preparation, maintaining accuracy, objectivity, composure, and collegiality
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with multiple individuals and departments

• Excellent memory for details, and an ability to organize and manage multiple priorities at the same time — often under stressful conditions
• Knowledge of FCC guidelines and requirements
• A commitment to CapRadio’s core values, including diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace

COVID-19 COMPLIANT
CapRadio has a mandatory vaccination policy for Covid-19.  Reasonable accommodation is available for those with a medical condition, disability, or religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated.

This role is deemed essential and requires an on-site presence at least 75% of the time. You must be able to commute to our Sacramento, CA office each workday.

Salary
The compensation for this role is $65,000-$75,000 annually. CapRadio also offers:

• Competitive medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, and acupuncture insurance
• Retirement plan with employer matching
• Paid holidays
• Flexible Vacation
• Two weeks of flexible, accruable paid time-off
• Paid sick leave
• Long-term disability and group life insurance
• Flexible spending plan for health and dependent care

Apply
So, you’re going to apply? Great! Please include a resume, a cover letter (that goes beyond your resume and describes why you think you’d be a good fit for this job) and at least three audio samples of your previous hosting or other live broadcast experience.

We’d love to hear how you sound at different moments — somber, lighthearted and neutral — but we’ll gladly listen to whatever you’re able to share. Your audio files can be provided as an MP3 under attachment under 10MB or as hyperlinks.

If you aren’t able to provide all of our requested materials but still feel you’re a strong candidate for this position, please submit whatever you can, and include an explanation of what you’re leaving out and why.

Please upload your resume, cover letter and audio samples.

You can address your letter to the hiring manager for this position, Ben Adler, Director of Programming and Audience Development. If you have any inquiries or trouble submitting your application materials to the link, please contact us at [email protected].

CapRadio
Attn: Human Resources
7055 Folsom Blvd. 
Sacramento, CA 95826

Capital Public Radio is an equal opportunity employer.