We are KUOW — an independent, nonprofit news organization serving the Seattle area (and beyond) since 1952. We are a passionate, curious and collaborative team committed to high-quality journalism, innovative storytelling, and access to trusted news and information.

We come to work every day in service of our mission to create and serve a more informed public, because we believe an informed public is essential to a thriving community, a vibrant democracy, and a better future.

Join us.

Note: KUOW is currently a hybrid in-person and telework office.

Journalism with impact

Our work is about truth. We were founded with the idea that everyone should have free access to honest, fact-checked information — as well as stories that broaden conversations and deepen understanding of the world around us.

Through our news reporting, podcasts, events, and public affairs programming, we keep our audience up to date on issues such as police accountability, the economy, racial equity, the environment, arts and culture, infrastructure, and local politics.

Learn more in our latest impact report and see a list of KUOW Awards.

Commitment to racial equity

Racial equity work is critical to achieving our mission of creating and serving a more informed public. As a public institution, we must serve our entire community — not just a subset — and that requires challenging the way KUOW and public media have operated.

We are dedicated to the goal of building a diverse and pluralistic staff committed to working in an anti-racist, multicultural environment that promotes racial equity and inclusivity.

Learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion at KUOW.

Value-focused culture

Our organization is grounded in a set of core values. These guide how we show up every day for our work and for each other. They are earn trust, be curious, have courage, value diversity, act in service, demand integrity, always grow and collaborate.

Read more about our values.

P.S. Though not official KUOW values, we also value pledge drive doughnuts, making another pot of coffee when you've taken the last cup, and sharing photos of your pets over Slack.

One of the things I value at KUOW is how much care our journalists put into their work. They’re committed to getting the story right and telling it in a way that’s fair. We are continuously striving to include a diverse range of voices, perspectives, and experiences in our daily coverage. That’s part of the work that ultimately makes our storytelling richer.

GIGI DOUBAN
News Director

I came to KUOW because I felt they were “ahead” in a variety of ways and that there would be a true opportunity to move forward, grow and do impactful work. They are one of the smartest group of folks I’ve encountered in my career. They are thoughtful, intentional, rigorous and open to new things.

JENNIFER STRACHAN
Chief Content Officer

KUOW’s commitment to community engagement and youth voice is, in my experience, unparalleled. KUOW is also the only place I’ve ever worked where I truly have the resources necessary to do my job well. My colleagues care about me as a person, and they prioritize my mental health and well-being (and the well-being of RadioActive’s youth journalists) above the content we produce.

KELSEY TOLCHIN-KUPFERER
Program Producer, RadioActive

Public media is a space for clarity, discovery, inspiration, and understanding. Knowledge is the tool that empowers the informed. I love being part of the team that makes this service accessible and free of charge to everyone in our community.

RASHAD BROWN
Director, Membership

In job interviews, I often ask the question, "What is your favorite part about working at this organization?" When I was interviewing with KUOW, the unanimous answer was, "It's the people." And I've found that to be absolutely true. The folks I've met at KUOW are some of the kindest, smartest people I know. We are questioners, advocates, collaborators, storytellers and listeners who work each day to make sure our communities feel heard and informed.

AMELIA PEACOCK
Marketing Communications Manager

This country really needs credible information and civil conversation. I like that I help bring that to people.

BILL RADKE
Host

Collage of KUOW Staff Members and RadioActive Program participants

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS LIKE?
To apply for a position at KUOW, candidates must use the University of Washington's UWHires portal. Once your application is submitted, the UWHires team will send applications to the KUOW hiring manager based on the job criteria. Hiring managers will then review applications and begin reaching out to candidates for informal phone interviews. After the phone interviews are complete, select candidates will move forward to formal interviews with a panel of KUOW employees. Depending on the job, there may be an additional round of final interviews. Following the interviews, final candidates will move forward to a reference check. University of Washington also requires all final candidates to disclose any past allegations of sexual misconduct and confirm that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19. Finally, the hiring manager will reach out to extend an offer of employment, contingent on a successful background check. Once the background check clears, you're officially hired! You and the hiring manager will work together to set a start date and create an onboarding plan.

WHAT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS DOES KUOW OFFER?
KUOW is a service of the University of Washington and offers a large suite of benefits, including insurance, retirement plans, wellness resources, low-cost transit options, and more to employees. Learn more about University of Washington benefits.

WHAT IS KUOW'S FINANCIAL POSITION?
KUOW is in a strong financial position thanks to the unwavering support of our local community. This fiscal year, we have been able to create new positions and invest in new programs. We recently launched a new digital division, which will help KUOW scale our digital products in order to best serve our audience.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WORK AT KUOW?
Approximately 120 people work at KUOW, including 46 employees in our news division.

DOES KUOW HAVE AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM?
KUOW is deeply committed to supporting the next generation of radio journalists and storytellers. Our RadioActive Youth Media Program offers hands-on radio journalism training for teens, and all participants are paid for their work. KUOW occassionally offers fellowship opportunities in our newsroom. Those opportunities are listed on our careers page.

WHERE IS THE KUOW OFFICE?
KUOW is located in Seattle's University District, just off campus of the University of Washington. If you're local, we're on "The Ave." We've been in this space since 1999. We have welcomed guests including Modest Mouse, Etta James, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama and Salman Rushdie. In addition to our broadcast studios, our office is home to the RadioActive Youth Media program space, an in-development video production studio, and many, many plants that have survived the pandemic thanks to the steadfast care of our essential on-site staffers.

WHAT WILL KUOW LOOK LIKE POST PANDEMIC?
The University of Washington and KUOW returned to hybrid in-person/remote work in fall 2021. Most employees will work on-site 2-3 days per week, depending on job function. At this time, masks are not required on-site but are strongly encouraged. University of Washington also requires all employees be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT KUOW'S POLICIES, PROCEDURES, ETC.?
Visit our About Page for links to our ethics policy, firewall policy, racial equity initiatives and other public reports.

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