KPBS Student Assistant - Grants & Engagement

Overview

The salary rate for this position is $17.25 per hour and is non-negotiable. This opportunity is available to current SDSU students only.

This position is scheduled to close on October 29, 2025 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 station 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 audience.  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.

Under the direction of both the Director of Grants and Engagement and the Senior Grants and Engagement Coordinator, this position supports the functions of the Grants and Engagement department and contributes to KPBS’ programming driven by grants and interaction with the donors that make the organization's  efforts possible.

This department is responsible for a variety of activities and outreach, including using programming, news content and other related resources to build and foster a KPBS presence in the community and on all KPBS platforms:

• Heightening visibility, especially in underserved communities, and demonstrating the station’s mission as a vital local force for enrichment;
• Increasing awareness that KPBS programming can be a springboard for community dialogue and problem solving;
• Reaching new, diverse, underrepresented and underserved audiences through such programs as KPBS Cultural Connections, community connection/ascertainment , One Book, One San Diego, One Book Sin Fronteras and KPBS Kids, thus demonstrating that all residents of the San Diego and Imperial Counties have a stake in KPBS because KPBS has a stake in them;
• Collaborate with the KPBS Development Department to cultivate major donors through Producers Club as well as support other departments as needed in facilitating outreach for events and diversity initiatives.

The department is also responsible for securing grants from existing and new funders in order to help ensure the sustainability of the station. Grant responsibilities include:

• Following strict protocols set by Finance and Accounting, the department ensures that grant activity is audit- proof.
• Researching and writing grant proposals to support all areas of KPBS.
• Developing budgets and monitoring completion of proposed deliverables.
• Completing all funder reports, including interim and final reports and requested updates.
• Conducting and interpreting research and evaluation activities relating to content and initiatives such as One Book, One San Diego, community connection/ascertainment and KPBS Kids.

Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff perks, weekly farmer's market, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.
• Hybrid schedule/ remote work flexibility options (varies by position)

• Enjoy a 'beautiful day in the neighborhood' with local employee discounts
• Opportunity drawings to attend SDSU basketball games, local concerts and events
• Free wellness classes & programs
• Staff pop-up events
• Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
• On-site childcare at a discounted rate (based on availability)
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development
• Employee assistance program
• Voluntary retirement savings plan

Responsibilities

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.

Financial Paperwork and Expense Tracking - 50%

• Complete and process financial paperwork on monthly deadlines, including:
• Mileage reimbursements for employee’s travels
• Expense tracking on department credit cards
• Track spending on grant related projects and process:
• Invoices for vendors the station works with during events
• Reimbursement charges for employee purchases
• Work closely with News Department and Grants Coordinator to track content deliverables by running story reports
• Reports detailing project spending within grant requirements
• Maintain real time spreadsheet of charges and update budget as needed

Project and Event Planning - 30%

• Maintain email correspondence with a variety of vendors and partners
• Provide support to department staff in planning and management of events such as Community Connections, One Book One San Diego and KPBS Kids events
• Create impact tracking documents for new initiatives 
• Attend community events and appropriately represent the values of KPBS
• Coordinate necessary tasks like event check in and catering orders

Grant Management Support - 15%

• Assist in grant research
• Maintain digital files with documents commonly required for grant proposals
• Assist in uploading digital proposals

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned - 5%

• Attend meetings as directed
• Represent KPBS in a professional manner whenever attending public events on behalf of KPBS
• Keep management informed of school schedule changes
• Perform other duties as assigned by management

Qualifications

Knowledge and Abilities 

• Ability to interact effectively with co-workers, clients and study participants
• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures
• Ability to relate well to others within the project environment.
• Ability to display motivation and strong interpersonal skills

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to display organization, meet deadlines, display detail orientation, possess good judgment and common sense
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity
• Ability to interact effectively with co-workers, clients and community members
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software, including Excel and Word
• Proficiency with Google Suite of products, especially google docs, sheets, slides and forms
• Financial management skills required
• Strong communications skills, both written and spoken, a must
• Understanding of and affinity for diversity in San Diego’s communities
• Ability to multitask and work quickly on a number of assignments
• Ability to display organization, meet deadlines, display detail orientation and possess good judgment
• Bilingual or proficient in English/Spanish.

Minimum Education

• Current enrollment as an undergraduate student at SDSU

Preferred Qualifications

• Federal work-study eligible students are highly desirable
• Education or co-curricular experience in public relations, communications or business finance
• History of advancing diversity and inclusion in an education or work setting
• Students having completed 30 units (Sophomore standing or above). Transfer students are also encouraged to apply
• Undergraduate student must be registered/enrolled in a minimum of six (6) Fall/Spring units at SDSU
• Must be in good academic standing with the University (not on academic probation).

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.