Finding Collaboration and Trust Uncovering the Past

From the perspective of an archaeologist, the physical body of an ancient person is a gift because a body is a time capsule of the past. They lived in that space and that time, and their bodies are manifestations of what was there. We talk with archaeologist Erin Baxter, teacher and Curator of Anthropology at Denver Museum of Nature and Science, about her work unraveling the ancient southwest culture and her fascination with the archaeology of death.

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Science Moab · Finding Collaboration and Trust Uncovering the Past

The Space between the Mountains

Sagebrush once stretched across almost 500,000 square miles from the Dakotas to California. Each year, a million acres is lost to invasive species, catastrophic wildfire, development, improper grazing and climate change. Matt Cahill is the director of the Sagebrush Sea program for The Nature Conservancy. Matt advocates that scientific solutions and large-scale collaboration are needed to reverse the trend in sagebrush. We talk with Matt about what is being done to save this vital landscape.

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Science Moab · The Space between the Mountains

Preserving the Past

Ever wonder how those amazing dinosaur bones make it from being embedded in rock to a museum where they are flawlessly displayed within a complete skeleton? Natalie Toth knows. Natalie is the Chief Preparator at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and her job begins with a chainsaw in the field and ends with a fully prepared fossil display. We talk about the chain of events that must occur for this to be completed and about the backbone of this process which is building a world class Earth Sciences collection for researchers around the world to use.

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Science Moab · Preserving the Past

KZMU… It’s Booming!

Spring is springing (or at least trying to) out here in the high desert and as the season turns, the hardworking and dedicated staff at KZMU are gearing up for our biannual Spring Fundraiser… That’s right, it’s RADIOTHON TIME! The dates are April 7th through 15th and our goal is $40,000.

This Membership drive propels KZMU, a small by mighty public media non-profit, into its fourth decade of service. As a radio station, KZMU provides award winning journalism, engaging conversations, and mind-expanding/soul-lifting/heart-filling/ear-wigglin’ MUSIC! But as an organization, KZMU provides something much less tangible, but all the more important: KZMU provides a sense of community, a sense of place… a sense of Home. 

As we round the corner on year 31 of broadcasting to Moab, Castle Valley, and all those sweet spots around the world, we must pause to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished over the last three decades. We spent most of our 30th year recounting wild tales of early beginnings, hearing from founders, and getting a sense of the places, and faces, we’ve been. Now let’s take a look at where we ARE. 


KZMU is home to more than 85 volunteer programmers who span ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Together they weave the fabric of our musical program schedule; everything from Cajun mouth harp to one hundred-piece orchestras, old school hip hop on vinyl to the newest electronic dance on .mp3. Under the creative and nurturing guidance of our Program Director Crystal Bunch, KZMU DJs provide the soundtrack to your work day, your weekends, and your adventures.


Sprinkled in with our eclectic music shows are our engaging, diverse and educational public affairs programs. Mondays from 4pm – 6pm are the place for conversation on KZMU. Local volunteer hosts bring discussions around the latest civics issues, arts, outdoor recreation, books, history, culinary delights and more to the airwaves! See all our Public Affairs programs here.


When you tune in at 6 PM on weekdays you’ll now be treated to a diverse array of local, regional, and national programming to supplement your evening. Instead of a second helping of Democracy Now (which you can still catch every weekday morning at 8 AM) You’ll now hear curated programming featuring deep dive musical conversations, engaging interviews with scientists, and pieces from sister stations across the West. Your evenings just got a whole lot more interesting. This change was made with community feedback and after years of careful consideration and represent your dollars, and feedback, at work!


Lift Up is back for a second season! Season 2 of this storytelling project will elevate LGBTQ+ voices in the high desert. This KZMU series intends to deepen understanding and empathy within our community and reinforce a sense of safety and belonging for all. Season 1 of this project was recognized with the prestigious regional award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the Edward R. Murrow Awards. While you enjoy new episodes, you can catch up on all episodes from Season 1 here.


KZMU is thrilled to welcome Emily Arntsen to the KZMU News Department. Emily is a journalist living in Moab, Utah and she brings a keen ear and curious mind to the news team high atop Rocky Road. Hear Emily and KZMU’s intrepid News and Public Affairs Director Molly Marcello weekdays at noon and 6 PM.


Those are just a few of the amazing things happening at your local community radio station. Your generosity has gotten us so far, through the scrappy early “Trailer Dayz,” through the frightful years after the loss of CPB funds, and most recently through a global pandemic. Thank you, in advance, for your continued generosity during this Spring’s Radiothon.

Serah Mead
KZMU Executive Director / General Manger

KZMU is hiring an Executive Director / General Manager!

Job Summary:

KZMU is seeking a detail-oriented, resourceful, and passionate leader to join the KZMU team high atop Rocky Road in Moab, Utah. The Executive Director/General Manager oversees all day to day operations at KZMU. They supervise all departments including the News and Public Affairs Department, the Music Department (which also manages all volunteers), Engineering, and Accounting. The ED/GM is the primary liaison between the Board of Trustees and the staff of KZMU and is responsible for keeping KZMU legal and up to date within FCC, IRS, and DMCA guidelines. The ED/GM is responsible for creating and adhering to the annual budget and is the primary grant writer and administrator, fundraising coordinator, and underwriting administrator. The position is based in Moab, Utah and requires the ability to be flexible in the work schedule during certain times of the year.

The salary for this position starts at $45,500. KZMU provides at least a 2% COLA at the start of each Fiscal Year (January) provided the operating budget allows. KZMU provides an annual Health & Wellness Stipend, paid vacation in addition to four floating holidays and federal holidays, paid sick, maternity, and medical leave.

 

Sound like you?! Scroll for details on how to apply!

Application deadline: March 15th, 2023 
Start date: April 3rd, 2023 or sooner
Reports to: KZMU Board of Trustees
Terms: Full Time, 4 day work week or 32 hours/week  
Starting Salary: $45,500

 

Job Summary:

KZMU is seeking a detail-oriented, resourceful, and passionate leader to join the KZMU team high atop Rocky Road in Moab, Utah. The Executive Director/General Manager oversees all day to day operations at KZMU. They supervise all departments including the News and Public Affairs Department, the Music Department (which also manages all volunteers), Engineering, and Accounting. The ED/GM is the primary liaison between the Board of Trustees and the staff of KZMU and is responsible for keeping KZMU legal and up to date within FCC, IRS, and DMCA guidelines. The ED/GM is responsible for creating and adhering to the annual budget and is the primary grant writer and administrator, fundraising coordinator, and underwriting administrator. The position is based in Moab, Utah and requires the ability to be flexible in the work schedule during certain times of the year.

The salary for this position starts at $45,500. KZMU provides at least a 2% COLA at the start of each Fiscal Year (January) provided the operating budget allows. KZMU provides an annual Health & Wellness Stipend, paid vacation in addition to four floating holidays and federal holidays, paid sick, maternity, and medical leave.

About KZMU: 

KZMU Moab Community Radio is a noncommercial, independent community radio station primarily serving Moab and Grand County. However our FM signal reaches north to Green River, UT, west to Ghost Rock, UT, south to Monticello, UT, and east just past the Colorado state line. Many many more people listen online from all over the world. KZMU is a grassroots radio station with more than 85 volunteer DJs who program self-selected music programming from 9 am to 11 PM. KZMU is proud to have an in-house news department that is the only source for daily local news (Monday – Friday) in our area. KZMU is not an NPR affiliate station and is not supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The station is a member of the National Federation for Community Broadcasters, Rocky Mountain Community Radio Coalition, and Pacifica Foundation.


ED/GM Responsibilities:

  • Day to Day Operations
    • Responsible for the planning, organizing, and directing of the organization’s operations and programs, including budget development and oversight.
    • Provides leadership to and manages the efforts of site staff to ensure appropriate support of all departments.
    • Oversee facilities and property
    • Ensure FCC licensure and legal compliance
    • Participate in regional and national cohort calls (ie: National Federation of Community Broadcasters, Rocky Mountain Community Radio, Public Media for All, Pacifica Foundation, etc)
  • Donor Recruitment + Fundraising 
    • Organize and managing bi-annual fundraisers (Radiothons)
    • Act as the station’s primary grant administrator
  • Underwriting*
    • Manage advertiser underwriting program with the assistance of Office Administrator
    • *Underwriting refers to paid announcements from sponsors, i.e. the non-commercial equivalent of a radio ad. 
  • Board and Community Engagement
    • Responsible for coordinating special events, corresponding with members/supporters, and periodically gathering community input on programming
    • Coordinate monthly Board of Trustee meetings and  serve as the liaison between the Board and staff. 
    • Coordinate special events 
    • Correspond with supporters/members of the public (phone, letter, e-mail)

    Essential Core Competencies: Clear and accurate written and verbal communication, highly organized, ability to develop and execute long-term strategic goals, personnel management, fundraising and development, ability to work independently and in a team, and deep understanding of rural communities and the nonprofit sector. 


    Expectations:  

    In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

    • Perform quality work within deadlines without direct supervision
    • Interact professionally with staff, donors, volunteers, listeners, underwriters, subcontractors, etc.
    • Work independently, and collaboratively, understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with staff, Trustees, community partners. etc.
    • Set and meet deadlines and complete assigned duties on time
    • Responsive to constructive feedback

    Qualifications:

    • At least 2 years of experience in personnel management of any kind
    • Familiarity with the nonprofit sector, primarily grant writing and fundraising
    • Demonstrated commitment and passion for public media
    • Understanding and appreciation of rural communities
    • Demonstrated ability to write for radio, the web, and social media
    • Working knowledge of broadcast equipment is preferred
    • A curious mind
    • Ability to work independently and collaboratively
    • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize tasks
    • Computer literacy:
      • Audacity, or similar audio editing software
      • G Suite
      • WordPress
      • Social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook)
      • Basic folder organization and navigation for Windows PC

    How to Apply: 
    Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to KZMU’s Chair of the Board of Trustees, Neal Clark at join@kzmu.org. All applications will be reviewed by a hiring committee comprised of trustees, a member of KZMU staff, and a member of the local public. The submission window is open; the position is open until filled.


    What Else You Should Know:

    KZMU is an equal opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from the communities we broadcast to. We especially encourage people who are Indigenous, people of color, people from rural communities, LGBQ people, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities to apply. Experience in broadcast journalism, community radio, and local media is a plus.

    Mutt of the week: Bodhi

    Bodhi has won over all of the staff here at Underdog! Bodhi went into Foster early February after coming to Underdog with a broken rear leg. He was very nervous and wouldn’t let his foster or staff touch him. The majority of our dogs are found roaming the reservation desert landscape and it’s only because of our network of partners on the rez and the occasional visitor passing through that these dogs get a second chance. 

    Since he has arrived back on our ranch he has come a long way! He now lets staff pet him and comes right up to the gate for love and attention. He is fully vaccinated and neutered.  Bodhi quickly showed love for toys and other dogs. He plays well with other dogs, however he will need time to warm up to his forever human. Bohdi still needs leash training, he comes for food and takes treats out of your hand. He needs a home with a fenced yard, other dogs to teach him trust, and people that are willing to put in the time and be rewarded with love.

    Bodhi is a small mixed terrier/heeler looking boy who needs his forever home. This sweet boy warms up well and is extremely affectionate. He loves to give lots of kisses! To schedule a time to meet Bodhi, please contact Underdog at 435 260 8033 or visit our website underdogrescuemoab.org.

    Underdog Animal Rescue and Rehab is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the estimated 250,000 stray companion animals on Native American reservations of the Southwest through transport, vet care and adoption services. To donate, volunteer, foster or learn more about our rescue, visit underdogrescuemoab.org. 

    It’s Radiothon time! October 7th – 15th

    As the cooler weather brings relief from the hot summer, the staff and crew at KZMU are gearing up for another Radiothon! This Fall’s membership drive starts October 7th and continues through the 15th. In addition to all your favorite DJs bringing you themed shows and positive energy, we’re thrilled to bring several brand new DJs and their musical tastes to your ears. Check out our program schedule for the full line up of amazing music shows, independent journalism, and more.

    April 2nd marked the 30th anniversary of broadcasting in Southeastern Utah. 30 years ago, KZMU was born in a single wide National Parks Service cast-off trailer that was too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. You can catch some wonderful archival stories of our 30 year journey over the air and on the website – look for our 30th Ever Radio Revue episodes, produced by Christy Williams. 


    KZMU News

    KZMU News, our daily in-house newscast, continues to partner with regional sister stations through stand-alone media partnerships and through the Rocky Mountain Community Radio coalition. These partnerships enable mutual sharing of stories and content to deepen the impact of these small newsrooms in the 4 corners region. As of this September, we now have a sturdy News Department with two full time journalists, Molly Marcello, our News and Public Affairs Director, and Justin Higginbottom, our Reporter. This is some significant growth in a department that, 4 years ago, didn’t exist.

    KZMU News has won two journalism awards this year! We won the prestigious regional Edward R. Murrow award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with our Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility series. We also won first place at the Public Media Journalist Association Awards in our division for Long Form Documentary with our feature Welcome to Moab: A Service Story. Out of 1,500 entries, 221 awards were presented to 101 organizations at the PMJA Awards. The awards recognize the best work in public media journalism from across the country.

    Radio Play Festival

    In our 7th presenting year of the annual KZMU Radio Play, we decided to change the format to be more inclusive and increase access for those interested in the art of radio theater. Our first step was to host a free Radio Theater Workshop sponsored by the MARC and Moonflower Coop. Nearly 30 people were in attendance. We then adopted the tried and true model of amateur film festivals and put a call out for community members to create their own 5 minute radio plays.

    We received 9 submissions and presented all of them at our Radio Play Festival held on April 9th in front of a live, small, but enthusiastic, audience at Star Hall. This year we were able to provide each team with a small honorarium for their creativity, time, and energy and were also able to pay workshop instructors, stage manager, and an assistant producer. This shows significant growth in the project and we’re thrilled that we can not only be more inclusive, but also be more equitable with participants and support teams.

    We’re excited to produce another Radio Play Festival in the spring!

     Partnership with Green River Epicenter

    This year we were proud to partner with the Epicenter in Green River by airing two special broadcasts.

    The first featured the acclaimed author and podcast host Ken Layne with a live airing of Desert Oracle Radio. As part of Ken’s visit to high desert/canyon country he made an appearance at KZMU’s 30th birthday bash and then promptly headed up tot he studio for a live performance of his bi-weekly-ish podcast. Local artist and musician Jon Gottschalk provided live guitar accompaniment for the evening.

    Our second partnership with Green River’s Epicenter featured renowned guitarist William Tyler for his Frontier Fellowship special entitled Twilight Zephyr. Inspired by AM radio, wind, trains, and big night skies, William created an audio magazine of sorts around those very themes. Listen : Twilight Zephyr.

    Ken Layne at KZMU during a live recording and broadcast of Desert Oracle Radio.
    William Tyler at KZMU during the broadcast of Twilight Zephyr.

    Looking Forward

    KZMU staff, board, volunteers, and donors gather for a photo just moments after we hit our Spring Radiothon goal!
    The Trading Post was a beloved program on KZMU hosted by Doni and Fast Eddie. Catch their story, and more on our 30th Ever Radio Revue.

    As we look forward into the next three decades of broadcasting we are at the beginning stages of strategizing a capital campaign which will reflect the fact that KZMU is so much more than a radio station. Led by trustees the campaign is focused on bringing KZMU more to the forefront of our downtown community, in a way that also provides for multi-media needs, fosters creative connections, and is a hub for collaboration with other community organizations.

    There is rarely a dull moment in community radio and KZMU is no exception. This past year has brought local, regional, and national recognition and awards while we’ve served our community members in new and meaningful ways. We have plenty of room to grow and improve; from meeting DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) goals to literally making room for more people to work inside the station. Your continued support remains fundamental in our efforts to be the best we can be.

    Thank you for your generous support to Moab Community Radio!

    Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

    Our partners in St. George, UT at the Southern Utah Science Cafe bring you this week’s podcast. Scientists Jerry Harris and Lura Snow talk about the geology in Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and the critical habitat for the desert tortoise.

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    Science Moab · Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

    Native Voices on Air

    Tara Gatewood understands the power of Indigenous radio. As longtime host of “Native America Calling”, Tara was part of a communal place where native voices were heard. Here, we speak with Tara, an award winning veteran journalist and enrolled Citizen of the Pueblo of Isleta/Diné, who is now the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Director of the Fund for Indigenous Journalists Reporting on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Transgender People (MMIWG2T) (https://www.iwmf.org/programs/fund-for-indigenous-journalists/ ), an initiative that directly supports Indigenous journalists’ reporting on the issue of MMIWG2T.

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    Science Moab · Native Voices on Air

    Traditional Knowledge and Climate Change

    Science Moab talks with Ann Marie Chischilly, Executive Director at the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP). In addition to the advocacy work she does at the national and international level, one of Chischilly’s passions is helping tribes on the Colorado Plateau deal with the issues of climate change, one community at a time.

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    Science Moab · Traditional Knowledge and Climate Change