KPBS Freelance Director

The salary range for this position is $40.00 - $45.00 per hour depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

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

This position is scheduled to close on July 7, 2026 at 4:00pm (PST)

KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining, and educational television, radio, and web programming.  KPBS TV/FM is the public television and radio stations 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 listeners.  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.

The KPBS Production Services department works as a team in collaboration with other departments to enhance the operations of KPBS TV on the campus of SDSU. This department oversees and provides content for television, radio and digital media production, post-production, field production, graphics, studio rental, special events, sales of excess capacity and projects coordination, design, planning of new facilities and equipment acquisition.

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

Under supervision of the Production Services Manager, the Freelance Director is responsible for participating as technical director in KPBS studio and field productions and other special shows, events, and projects, with an opportunity to serve as the camera operator, editor, and studio technician, as needed. The job also mentors part-time production assistants working in the studio.

The following information is intended to be representative of the work performed by incumbents in this position and is not all-inclusive.  The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of position responsibilities. Job descriptions may be changed at any time based on the needs of the department.

Broadcast/ Technical Directing (70%) 

• Lead, direct, and manage production crews and overall operations for both studio and location-based KPBS productions. 
• Operate and program Ross OverDrive automated production switchers to code, edit, and execute live and recorded newscasts and productions.  
• Serve as the technical lead in the control room, managing and troubleshooting Ross XPression graphics systems, audio consoles, and robotic camera operations. .
• Build, edit, and customize rundown templates, show templates, and advanced macro coding to ensure seamless production automation. 
• Determine the necessary technical support and production needs for KPBS projects or clients.
• Help train backup directors, technical directors, and crew for KPBS productions; mentor part time production assistants.
• Participate as technical crew in KPBS studio productions and other special shows and events including but not limited to locally produced programs, various outside clients, Pledge Productions and Awards Presentations. 
• Execute rundowns and continuously monitor timing in coordination with producers; make real-time adjustments to keep on schedule. 
• Coordinate with news, production, and engineering staff to rapidly troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during live productions.
• Monitor program output and control room systems during live broadcasts; maintain the highest standards of technical efficiency, editorial content, and overall broadcast quality. 

Studio Oversight (15%)

• Maintain equipment inventory and field and studio production schedules.
• Operate technical switchers, cameras on location or in the studio, and production of professional pre-recorded programming.
• Report equipment failures when intensive corrective maintenance procedures
• Perform technical evaluation of programs to assure compliance with station and network technical standards.
• Monitor client services for quality control and customer satisfaction.
• Provide the highest level of customer service: communicate with clients and/or vendors, assess needs, deliver services within specified budget limits.

Production Preparation & Coordination (10%)

• Participate in production meetings and pre-show planning sessions to align on technical and editorial requirements.
• Participate in pre-production development and post-production analysis and provide technical expertise to maximize effectiveness.
• Review rundowns, scripts, graphics, and segment timing prior to air to ensure accuracy and readiness.
• Verify control room readiness and establish clear communication channels with all crew members before broadcast.
• Coordinate directly with producers to manage late-breaking editorial changes and plan for live timing adjustments.
• Assist with workflow planning and logistical preparation for remote or field-based live productions, as assigned
  

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned (5%)

Knowledge & Abilities 

• Demonstrated knowledge of the full range of production techniques and equipment used in studio and field
  production.
• Ability to learn, understand, and apply techniques used throughout the production cycle: preproduction, production, and post-production.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills to coordinate all facets of radio and television production, including schedules, budgets, and other projects.
• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills to establish and maintain cooperative and cordial working relations with a wide range of internal and public contacts.
• Excellent communication skills, including demonstrated writing ability, to disseminate information about activities, programs, and objectives.
• Knowledge of professional audio and/or video editing and post-production procedures, techniques, and standards.
• Ability to configure, operate and maintain studio and/or field audio, lighting, and associated production equipment.
  Proven experience directing live or live-to-tape broadcast productions.
• Expert command of control room communication protocols and professional cueing.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple simultaneous production elements under tight deadlines.
• Deep familiarity with studio production workflows, including cameras, audio consoles, graphics systems, and playback operations.
• Advanced timing skills and a strong aptitude for real-time technical troubleshooting.
• Proven track record of collaborating effectively with both editorial and technical teams.
• Ability to maintain strong working relationships across departments.
• Ability to remain calm, focused, and decisive in high-pressure, fast-paced live production environments.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, overtime, early and late shifts when requested.

Minimum Education

• BA degree in telecommunications or related degree

Minimum Experience

• 4 years of experience in production, broadcast operations, TV directing and/or engineering

Preferred Qualifications

• Four or more years’ experience.
• Experience working within a union environment.
• Experience directing news, public affairs, or public media programming.
• Familiarity with automated production and automated control room systems (e.g., Ross OverDrive).
• Proven experience with remote and live field event production.
•  Experience as a camera operator, editor, and/ or studio technician
• Comprehensive knowledge of public broadcasting production standards, guidelines, and practices.

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.