Get Involved

Career & Volunteer Opportunities

KZUM is pleased to offer a variety of career and volunteer opportunities.

Below you will find all current open positions and opportunities, along with requirements, expectations and links to relevant application forms.

KZUM is committed to it’s mission and aims to create a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and people of all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply.

On-Air Programmer

KZUM holds the Programmer Academy annually or as needed. You can apply to host your own on air radio program during the enrollment period here!

BLUES, JAZZ, PUNK, and LATE WEEKNIGHT MUSIC PROGRAMMERS WANTED!!

Have you been thinking about applying for your own radio program on KZUM? Now is the time to let us know!

The KZUM Programmer Academy 2025 will be held on July 26 and 27

The KZUM Programmer Academy will only be held once or twice per year and is required to become a new volunteer programmer at KZUM.

The academy is designed as three-session training course that will teach you the ins and outs of being a KZUM programmer so that you are as prepared as you can be to take the microphone when called upon.

The academy will include:

  • Regulatory and compliance training
  • Expectations and requirements of volunteer programmers
  • Getting to know KZUM
  • Tips for doing a good program

Attendance at each session is required to successfully complete the Programmer Academy and be eligible for certification as a KZUM programmer. Participants who miss a session will not be eligible to continue in the process. These dates are 1:30-4:00 p.m., July 26 and 27.

Upon completion of the Programmer Academy, participants will need to complete 6-10 hours of technical training in the studio, pass the annual programmer certification exam and be a current donor to KZUM ($25 minimum every 12 months).

After these steps are completed, participants will earn their programmer certification and be eligible to substitute for current programmers until they are offered a time slot of their own.

Open time slots in the KZUM program schedule will be offered only to certified programmers who have completed the Programmer Academy and subsequent certification requirements.

Getting your own time slot: if you are accepted into the Programmer Academy in the first place, it means your idea has been identified as one that would be a great fit for KZUM. But please note that completing the academy and becoming a certified programmer does not guarantee you a time slot for your program. Openings in the program schedule tend to be competitive and will be filled based on considerations for programming strategy and community needs.

Applications for Summer 2025 Programmer Academy are open and can be completed here. Applications close April 10, 2026.

  • Does the idea address current community needs?
  • Does the idea align with any current KZUM programming priorities and/or look like a good fit for the program schedule?
  • Does the idea propose content that is not well-represented in other media in Lincoln?
  • Is the idea well thought out?
  • Does the applicant appear comfortable with the commitment of being a programmer and with fundraising?

Questions? Email the program director at programming@kzum.org.

Podcaster

KZUM accepts podcast submissions throughout the year from individuals and organizations. You can apply for the Podcast Partner Program here.

Internships

We live in a day and age where people are always connected, looking for the latest and most up-to-date information. KZUM is working to provide this by expanding our informational network to include our updated website and social media pages.

KZUM currently broadcasts 7,000 hours of original, locally produced programming each year thanks to our volunteers and staff. This includes music-based programs featuring blues, punk, hip-hop, folk, rock, electronic music, and more. Our local programming also includes culturally driven talk and music programs broadcast in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. These programs touch on community matters, environmental issues, health, gardening, and pet care. Our non-local programming includes syndicated shows like “Democracy Now!” and “Big Picture Science” to help keep listeners engaged with national conversations about news, science, and art.

We are actively working toward becoming a reliable resource for all things local. In the future, kzum.org will become a site that is visited daily, informing our community about what is happening in our ever-growing, vibrant city. All while streaming KZUM live.

This is where you come in.

We are looking for passionate individuals: folks who not only can see but feel a moment happening, with the willingness to dive in to capture it, visually and verbally. Candidates will be working both solo and with a diverse group of staff and programmers. A willingness to communicate, collaborate, and adapt will be key to managing time-sensitive deadlines. Your projects will single-handedly help KZUM (and Lincoln) develop in areas that will lead to our overall visibility and sustainability.

In return, throughout the Community Voices Internship Program, you will have the opportunity to develop your professional portfolio while working with public figures within Lincoln’s creative and professional community. You will be additionally compensated for $15.00/hour.

What will you be responsible for? 

  • 10 hours of work per week culminating in a completed story ready for broadcast.
  • Writing, recording, editing, and publishing weekly news broadcasts about local newsworthy content.
  • Utilizing KZUM’s and other creative design assets to craft social media posts for newsroom content (and, occasionally, for the station broadly).
  • Using DSLR equipment to capture cover photos for the KZUM archives and social media channels.
  • Assisting in the management of the KZUM News archive.
  • Assisting our administrative team during the station’s fund drives.
  • Attending any required KZUM and/or KZUM-sponsored events.

What are the requirements to apply?

  • No prior experience or education in journalism is required. Students and non-students are eligible.
  • Multi-lingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants must have a means of reaching the KZUM offices for meetings, interviews, and check-ins.

What will you be responsible for? 

  • Editing and publishing podcasts to the KZUM website and social media pages.
  • Gathering audio as assigned for use in producing on-air spots, station IDs, and other necessary audio materials.
  • Digitizing analog audio content for use by station staff and volunteers.
  • Collaborating with the newsroom to update our social media channels.
  • Updating and publishing the KZUM community calendar.
  • Assisting our administrative team during the station’s fund drives.
  • Attending any required KZUM and/or KZUM-sponsored events.

What are the requirements to apply? 

  • While experience in Adobe Creative Suite and/or Audacity is preferred, it is not required. Students and non-students are eligible.
  • Multi-lingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants must have a means of reaching the KZUM offices for meetings, interviews, and check-ins.

It’s an exciting time to be in Lincoln and an even more exciting time to be a part of the KZUM team. We look forward to receiving your application!

What will you be responsible for? 

  • Utilizing photography and videography to record live music performances, multi-day music festivals, and other local cultural happenings such as First Fridays.
  • Working with the editorial team to document artist profiles and any other creative projects assigned to you.
  • Helping staff capture our on-air programmers with programmer portraits and mini-documentaries to be used in programmer spotlights on our website and social media channels.
  • Collaborating with the newsroom to update our social media channels.
  • Updating and publishing the KZUM community calendar.
  • Assisting our administrative team during the station’s fund drives.
  • Attending any required KZUM and/or KZUM-sponsored events.

What are the requirements to apply? 

  • While experience with DSLR equipment (specifically, low-light and action photography and videography) is preferred, it is not required. Students and non-students are eligible.
  • Multi-lingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants must have a means of reaching the KZUM offices for meetings, interviews, and check-ins.

What will you be responsible for? 

  • Creating event posters and associated digital/printed promotional materials.
  • Updating the KZUM program guide, First Friday map, and other ongoing materials.
  • Using KZUM’s and other creative design assets for special and, at times, time-sensitive design needs, such as images for fund drives or other special promotions.
  • Collaborating with the newsroom to update our social media channels.
  • Updating and publishing the KZUM community calendar.
  • Assisting our administrative team during the station’s fund drives.
  • Attending any required KZUM and/or KZUM-sponsored events.

What are the requirements to apply? 

  • While experience with Adobe Creative Suite is preferred, it is not required. Students and non-students are eligible.
  • Multi-lingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants must have a means of reaching the KZUM offices for meetings, interviews, and check-ins.

If you feel that any of the above might serve as a barrier to your application, please reach out to our offices. We would love to work with you to broaden accessibility!

Any questions can be directed to our program director. Steffan Decker can be reached by emailing programming@kzum.org or by calling (402) 474-5086 ext. 3.

It’s an exciting time to be in Lincoln and an even more exciting time to be a part of the KZUM team. We look forward to receiving your application!

KZUM News Contributor

KZUM is committed to providing media access to all in our community. We are building a Code of Ethics and Protocols. Check back soon on story submission and coverage soon!

Submit Music for Airplay

KZUM loves to play music by artists that are not found on commercial radio. If you would like to submit an electronic song for airplay email music@kzum.org or mail a physical copy to “Attn Music Directors, KZUM” 3534 S 48th St Ste 6, Lincoln NE 68506

Board of Directors

The KZUM Board of Directors typically brings on new members in November. However, we accept applications throughout the year!

Are you passionate about our community and KZUM? Apply now for a three-year term on the board of directors!

Sunrise Communications Inc., a nonprofit dedicated solely to operating KZUM radio (89.3 FM) in Lincoln, is currently seeking applications. We are a working board, so applicants should expect to have enough available hours per month for board meetings, committee work, volunteering and outside work.

On the air since 1978, KZUM is an independent, noncommercial listener-supported radio station with four paid staff and nearly 100 on-air volunteers who produce music and public affairs programming serving Lincoln and Lancaster county. The mission of KZUM is to educate and build community through broadcast media, with diverse and independent voices that enrich the perspectives of our audiences.

Questions may be directed to Kerry Semrad, general manager, at gm@kzum.org or (402)474-5086 Ext. 5.

Community Advisory Board

The Community Advisory Board or “CAB” meets quarterly to discuss KZUM’s programming and the organization’s commitment to the community.

The Community Advisory Board advises the staff and governing body of KZUM with respect to the organization’s mission, programming, content and policies to determine relevance to the community. Quarterly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of January, April, July and October.

The Community Advisory Board is limited to 11 members. There is no defined term limit for members. Membership is open to anyone living in Lancaster County who is not a current staff member, Board of Directors member, volunteer programmer or podcast producer with KZUM.

If there are current openings on the Community Advisory Board at the time of your application, it will be reviewed by the CAB by the next regularly scheduled quarterly meeting and you will updated of its status at that time.

If you have questions about the application, please email programming@kzum.org.

Thank you for your interest in joining the Community Advisory Board!