Lick Observatory Public Education Manager

University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Full-time Education

Posted on April 7, 2024

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Lick Observatory Public Education Manager

Location: Santa Cruz
Job ID: 61283

JOB POSTING

This is an exempt, monthly paid position, eligible for UC benefits. See below.

This position can be based at UCSC's main campus, at UCSC's Silicon Valley Campus in Santa Clara, or at Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton. This position is eligible for partial remote work. Work location will be discussed during the hiring process. Frequent short-term stays at Lick Observatory and trips to Bay Area schools, colleges, museums, libraries and other learning sites will be required in order to facilitate programs and events, on average up to 50% time. As a result, the elected candidate must have (or be able to obtain), a valid California driver's license.

Position includes work on occasional or frequent evenings and/or weekends, depending on the season.

This is not a Visa-sponsored position.

Benefits to working at UC Santa Cruz include:

Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans
UC Retirement Plans
Group Term Life Insurance
Legal Insurance
Pet Insurance
Paid Holidays plus accrued vacation and sick leave

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit here.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our Talent Acquisition website.

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. Materials submitted after the IRD will ONLY be forwarded at the request of the hiring unit. To ensure your application is routed for consideration, submit your materials before 11:59 p.m. on the IRD. Talent Acquisition cannot accept application materials outside of the jobs portal, and is unable to update submitted applications on an applicant's behalf, or forward communications to the hiring units. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 12-07-2023

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The University of California Observatories (UCO) at the University of California, Santa Cruz's (UCSC) mission is to provide UC astronomers with access to forefront optical and infrared observatories, to design and build advanced instrumentation for the Lick, Keck, and Thirty Meter Telescope Observatories, and to provide an organization that can coordinate astronomy groups throughout the UC system in support of their ground-based observing. UCO is a multi-campus research unit of UC, with headquarters on the UCSC campus. UCO operates the Lick Observatory (LO) on Mount Hamilton, which currently serves astronomers from eight UC astronomy campuses and two national laboratories. LO offers public education activities including tours, field trips, viewing evenings, music and photography events, exhibits, festivals, visitor center and gift shop, and lecture series. In addition, private events, weddings, and conferences are held at Lick Observatory.

More information can be found at: https://www.lickobservatory.org/

JOB SUMMARY

Under general direction of the UC Observatories Deputy Director, the Lick Observatory Public Education Manager directs public education activities at Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton, and at Bay Area K-12 schools, community events, and science centers. The incumbent oversees current outreach activities and develops new ways of engaging the community.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $90,000 - $110,000 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

Full-time, Fixed
Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
Days of the Week: Mon-Fri: includes work on occasional weekends, depending on the season
Shift Includes: Days, includes work on occasional or frequent evenings and nights, depending on the season

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: 10-31-2026, with the possibility of extension

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 000437 (MUSEUM EDUC MGR 1)

Travel: Up to 50% of the time

JOB DUTIES

50% - Leadership and Management

Directs public education by mobilizing and preparing professional staff, students, and volunteers to engage the general public, K-12 students, and teachers in activities at the Lick Observatory (LO) on Mt. Hamilton, as well as at schools, community events, and educational centers in the Greater Bay Area.
Manages staff and volunteers that provide tours, field trips, viewing evenings, music and photography events, exhibits, festivals, and lecture series.
Responsible for high-level oversight of private events, the gift shop, and the visitor center at LO.
Hires, supervises, trains, and schedules staff, seasonal employees, and volunteers to effectively staff the Public Education programs.
Performs evaluation of staff work, and recommends performance improvement strategies.
Creates processes and contributes to creating an environment that enables the UCO community, including students, faculty, and staff, to collaborate on, and accomplish a cohesive and inclusive public education program.

30% - Public Education Development and Implementation

Leads the creation, implementation, and evaluation of effective and inclusive public education and outreach activities, events, and digital media that engage the full diversity of the Bay Area community, and build on current successful LO public education activities.
Through strategic initiatives, creates new inclusive public education activities that focus on schools, community events or educational centers, which may also include training for UC students and/or personnel in effective public communication, exhibit development, or other activities that aim to establish LO as a valued community asset.
Delivers presentations and provide tours at public and fundraising events, conveying the scientific and historical value of LO and stimulating further learning about LO science and technology, as well as science and technology more broadly.

20% - Program Financial and Budget Administration

Cultivates financial support for LO public education by contributing to grant proposals, and other fundraising documents, as directed by senior staff and in alignment with LO strategic plan.
Oversees private (non-educational) events held at LO, and income generation from those events.
Oversees LO public education budgets.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Physics, Astronomy or Astrophysics and/or equivalent experience / training.
Minimum of 5 years' experience in astronomy communication/education, coordinating education/outreach; supervising and evaluating staff and volunteers; and managing programmatic projects (schedules, budgets, resources).
Strong knowledge of how to engage K-12 students, teachers, and general public in astronomical sciences and technology.
Broad knowledge of public/museum/science center education field, technologies and current trends, and ability to apply it to developing effective public education and outreach activities.
Strong supervisory and leadership skills, with the ability to mobilize staff and volunteers to collectively accomplish the wide array of tasks needed to manage educational events at remote locations, as well as at schools, community events, and science centers/museums.
Strong verbal communication and presentation skills, sufficient to give presentations and tours that convey science and technology to the general public.
Strong project management, coordination, and budgeting skills.
Strong written communication skills.
Strong interpersonal communication skills.
Knowledge of how people learn, in particular in relation to informal learning environments.
Strong interest in reaching underserved communities and implementing programs that are equitable and inclusive.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Advanced degree in physics, astronomy, astrophysics, education, science communication or related fields.
Strong knowledge of professional development of scientists and engineers in communication and informal educational strategies, and ability to apply it to developing and implementing workshops for university students, faculty and staff.
Knowledge of astronomical facilities.
Bilingual in English/Spanish.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
Ability to perform work in a rugged physical environment and inclement weather with challenging infrastructure requirements.
The selected candidate has the option to work a hybrid work schedule. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
Ability to occasionally work overtime with little or no advance notice.
Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
Ability to travel nationally.
Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE UCSC ON-LINE PROCESS
View full job description and access on-line application:
https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucsc/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=11&JobOpeningId=61283&PostingSeq=1

To ensure review of application materials by the hiring unit, they must be submitted on or before the initial review date (IRD) via the Staff Employment Opportunities web site; https://jobs.ucsc.edu. A computer is available at the UC Santa Cruz Staff Human Resources Office located at Scotts Valley Center. The Scotts Valley Center is located at 100 Enterprise Way, Suite E100, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. To learn more or to request disability accommodations, call 831-459-2009. Hearing impaired are encouraged to use the California Relay Service at 800-735-2922. UC Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

Apply Now

Lick Observatory Public Education Manager

University of California Santa Cruz

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