KPBS Lobby Receptionist

KPBS is a prominent public broadcasting service serving the greater San Diego community through informative, cultural, entertaining, and educational television, radio, and digital programming. As the public television and radio station licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS aligns closely with the university’s educational and community service mission. Its programming not only features nationally recognized content but also enriches the community by producing original programs focused on the people and happenings of San Diego for broader nationwide distribution. This trusted media outlet has a strong commitment to informing, enlightening, and empowering its diverse audience through multiple platforms, ensuring public access to quality content that educates and connects the community.

The Membership Department at KPBS is a vital component of the organization’s operations, tasked with developing and executing strategies that generate core revenue and deepen relationships with members and potential donors. To meet evolving market demands and media consumption patterns, KPBS has restructured this department into five specific subdivisions: Membership Analytics; Membership Acquisition, including On-Air Fundraising; Membership Operations; Membership Engagement; and Audience Services. Each subdivision operates with clear key performance indicators aligned with the department’s strategic growth objectives, underscoring KPBS’s commitment to operational excellence and revenue optimization.

The available position of Lobby Receptionist offers an excellent opportunity for a professional to become the welcoming face and first point of contact for visitors and callers to KPBS. This role is scheduled with a fixed hourly wage range of $20.00 to $28.00, reflecting candidate qualifications, and is non-negotiable, emphasizing a clear compensation structure. Scheduled to close on August 10, 2026, at 4:00 pm PST, this role is crucial in maintaining KPBS’s front-line communication and customer service excellence.

As the Lobby Receptionist, the individual will play a highly visible and pivotal role in the organization by greeting guests at the KPBS offices, managing incoming phone lines and emails, coordinating visitor sign-in and badges, and facilitating station tours. The role requires a blend of professionalism, tact, and diplomacy, enabling the receptionist to handle a diverse range of inquiries and interactions with courtesy and efficiency. Beyond greeting visitors and managing communication channels, the receptionist will also assist with administrative tasks and support membership engagement efforts, working closely with the Audience and Member Services Supervisor to coordinate schedules and ensure seamless coverage of the lobby area during business hours.

Security is a key element of the role, ensuring only authorized visitors access secured office areas, and the receptionist acts as a liaison by escalating security or emergency issues to the appropriate resources promptly. The position balances operational duties such as managing parking passes and maintaining visitor tracking software, while also contributing to the broader KPBS mission by engaging with internal clients like the news department and collaborating on member cultivation initiatives. This multifaceted role demands exceptional organizational skills, keen attention to detail, and the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities professionally.

KPBS offers an enriching work environment that combines the benefits of a university campus with the dynamic field of public media. Employees enjoy access to campus facilities, local perks such as weekly farmers markets, eateries, entertainment, and community events. The role includes a comprehensive benefits package featuring vacation, personal days, holidays, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and paid sick leave accruals. Additionally, KPBS supports professional development, wellness programs, childcare options, and retirement savings plans, fostering a supportive and growth-oriented workplace. For candidates committed to serving the public media sector in a customer-facing capacity, this receptionist role represents a meaningful career stepping stone within a respected public broadcasting institution.