Jackson College Looking for Astronomical Observatory Coordinator Full Time

Salary: $22.00 – $27.00 Hourly

Location: Jackson, MI

Job Type: Staff, full-time

Department: Humanities & Sciences Dean’s Office

Opening Date: 08/31/2023

Closing Date: 9/23/2023 11:59 PM Eastern

Description

This is a full-time position with varying hours, including evening and weekend work. The Coordinator will report to the Dean of Humanities and the Sciences and work closely with faculty and staff in the STEM Pathway. The Coordinator of the Astronomical Observatory will be responsible for managing all the operations of the observatory, including outreach to the community and coordination with researchers at universities and other institutions to provide telescope time. The observatory will have a CDK700 telescope and fully integrated support system for the observatory, the Coordinator will work independently to operate the equipment for all other internal and external users and with contracted service providers to maintain the equipment.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

• Maintain and operate the equipment and support systems of the observatory
• Create partnerships with community-based astronomy organizations and develop sky camps and other hands-on activities for K-12 partners and related groups
• Coordinate outreach and scheduling of research level requests from external groups
• Assembling, cataloging, and updating all technical operations manuals for the observatory 
• Developing/documenting and updating all system use procedures and training others in safe usage of the same 
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and community members to plan and implement programs and events related to the observatory
• In cooperation with the Jackson College Marketing Department, manage and maintain the observatory website and social media presence
• Provide technical and operational support to researchers and students using the observatory facilities, which may require either on-site and off-site operation 
• Collaborate with other institutions and organizations to provide telescope time to researchers and students
• Communicate with external contractors as well as internal departments to ensure that all equipment is maintained and updated as necessary
• Preserve accurate records of equipment maintenance, repairs, and observations, and images   
• Primary person responsible for scheduling of the telescope time for faculty, students, community members, and researchers 
• Hire, train, and supervise Jackson College Astronomy Scholars in fulfilment of their scholarship requirements    
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and protocols
• Responsible for understanding, supporting and actively demonstrating the College’s beliefs, values, mission and vision and being in agreement to be evaluated by same
• Oversite for maintaining the astronomical observatory in a clean, safe, and operational condition.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises:   Scholars/Work study students 

CONTACTS AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Internal:           Frequent contact related to coordinating use of the facility with faculty, staff and students in various campus departments

External:          Develop and maintain relationships with astronomy-related community groups and other members of the community, as well as academic researchers, and contractors as related to the observatory 

Minimum Qualifications

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONSTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and/or Experience 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (B.S.) in astronomy, physics or related natural science 
• Experience working or doing research in an observatory, a planetarium, or related facility

Preferred

• Masters Degree in related field
• Organizational skills and experience in managing budgets and schedules

Language Skills 

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.  Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.  Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Math Skills 

The level of skills requisite to operate an astronomical observatory 

Reasoning Ability 

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

“This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required and shall not be construed as declaring the specific duties and responsibilities.  It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his or her supervision.  The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

Supplemental Information

Jackson College only accepts on-line applications though this system. For assistance with this, please call 517-796-8468.

Please use your legal first and last names on your application.  If you are hired, you will have the opportunity to identify and utilize your preferred name.

The Jackson College Nepotism policy prohibits the hiring of direct relatives of current employees or members of the Board of Trustees including spouse, domestic partner, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, aunt, uncle, niece/nephew, grandparent, grandchild.  This policy applies to all full and part-time employees except for student workers, tutors, temporary employees and adjunct faculty.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess (even if you are repeating it from your resume or cover letter).  For instance, do not say, “See Resume or C/V.” Your resume, cover letter, and if a degree is required an unofficial transcript must be attached to your application.  Applications will be rejected if incomplete.

When you apply for the position, you will get to the document upload area where you will be given an opportunity to attach your documents such as your vita, transcripts, etc.. Instructions will also be found there.

The College reserves the right to request proof of degree or certification at a later date if these documents are required as part of the qualifications for the position.  Final candidates will be subject to a criminal background as part of the employment process.

If selected you will be required to complete the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Employment Eligibility Verification form I-9 and provide documentation verifying identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Jackson College is NOT able to support Visa applications for employment at the college.  Applicants must already be eligible to work in the United States to be considered.

Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and interview process.  Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need. A copy of Jackson College’s Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report is available on the JC Campus Safety & Security website.  The security report contains crime statistics for the previous three years for all of our campus locations and the annual fire safety report, which contains statistics for any reported fires in campus housing units and fire safety systems in these buildings.  Additionally, the report contains policies, available resources and information concerning personal safety, fire safety and reporting procedures for both crimes and fires.

Applicants have rights under Federal employment laws (Download PDF reader). Jackson College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively supports workforce diversity.