Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Provides factual, entertaining, interesting, and pertinent educational programs to schools from grades pre-school through high school and to special needs audiences; writes and presents programs.

Serves as astronomy resource person for public and local media, providing positive experience for first time visitors to university. Generates favorable University image through public and community relations activities.

Serves as science curriculum resource person both on and off campus; provides input for grants and similar documents relating to astronomy, planetarium operations and science-related programming.

Researches, develops and writes scripts for planetarium programs and science education programs; produces, or helps to produce programs; operates specialized equipment (i.e. fulldome video system and related software; Chronos optomechanical star projector) needed to produce programs. Prepares and operates a wide variety of multi-media and instructional equipment.  Makes recommendations regarding materials or programming needed for K-12 programs/demonstrations.

Plans and develops educator guides for resource materials, teaching techniques, etc., in conjunction with planetarium programs. Communicates with teachers regarding questions about shows at the planetarium.   

Organizes and plans planetarium related demonstrations and events.

Writes and develops planetarium brochure materials; assists with preparation of news releases relating to planetarium activities.

Assists with coordination of activities related to Friends of Planetarium. Serves as representative to Mahoning Cultural Collaborative.

Ensures all material presented is comprehensible to audiences of a variety of educational backgrounds and ages, with attention to state and national science standards.

Other Functions and Responsibilities: Assists with training new hires.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Equipment Operated: Computer and all other standard office equipment.

Work Schedule: Typically, four days during workweek plus Saturday programming.

Supervision Exercised: Supervision is exercised over student employees. 

Reports to: Chairperson, Physics, Astronomy, Geology, and Environmental Sciences

Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures: None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Knowledge of: University policies and procedures*; office practices and procedures; department/division goals and objectives*; department/division policies and procedures*; workplace safety practices and procedures*; English grammar and spelling; records management; office management; project management. 

Skill in: Use of office equipment; typing, data entry; computer operation; use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department/division*. 

Ability to: deal with problems involving several variables within familiar context; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; determine material and equipment needs; calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages; compile and prepare reports; use proper research methods to gather data; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; prepare accurate documentation; maintain records according to established procedures; travel to and gain access to work site; effectively interact with personnel and public to answer routine questions; train or instruct others; move quickly and effectively from one tasks to another; work independently and in a team environment; develop and maintain effective working relationships.  

(*) Developed after employment.

Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor?s degree in physics, astronomy, space science, science education or a related field; planetarium operation experience; and previous experience giving public/school presentations.

Preferred Qualifications: Master?s degree.  Two or more years of experience in astronomy/physics education and public outreach in a planetarium setting. Previous experience with DarkMatter fulldome presentation software or related fulldome software; Sky-Skan fulldome video and/or use of an opto-mechanical star projector. Experience developing and presenting educational programs, materials and/or demonstrations appropriate for use in K-12 education.  Knowledge of Next Generation Science Standards (K-12).   Experience with grant writing, scripting languages or python programming.  Supervisory experience, particularly at the university level.

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About Youngstown State University

An Institution of Opportunity: Youngstown State University inspires individuals, enhances futures, and enriches lives. As a student-centered university, Youngstown State University’s mission is to provide innovative lifelong learning opportunities that will inspire individuals, enhance futures and enrich lives. YSU inspires individuals by cultivating a curiosity for life-long learning; enhances the futures of our students by empowering them to discover, disseminate and apply their knowledge; and enriches the region by fostering collaboration and the advancement of civic, scientific, and technological development. YSU’s culture of enrichment flourishes in our diverse, accessible, and quality education. Youngstown State University is where students thrive in their educational and career pursuits, where scholarship creates innovative solutions, and where community engagement is a cornerstone of collaboration that collectively contribute to the sustainable prosperity of the region and beyond. We—the faculty, staff, administrators, and students of Youngstown State University—hold the following values essential to achieving the mission and realizing the vision. Centrality of Studen...ts – We put students first, fostering their holistic and lifelong success. Excellence and Innovation – We bring academic excellence and innovation to learning and life for all stakeholders. Integrity and Human Dignity – We root all behaviors, decisions and actions in the achievement of integrity, mutual respect, collegiality, equity and inclusion. Collaboration and Public Engagement – We embrace collaboration and create innovative partnerships to foster sustainability and enrich our university, our culture, and region. Please use the following link to learn more about YSU: https://ysu.edu/about-ysu

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