Astronomy Programs Manager

Title: Astronomy Programs Manager

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Department: Education Division

Reports To: Director of Education

Wage Band: Managers

Shift: Tuesday – Saturday

Salary: $68,640 annually

Mission: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world.

Position Summary: The Planetarium Manager develops, coordinates, and evaluates all astronomy-related programs across the Planetarium, Space Sciences Exhibit Hall, and Observatory. This includes programs for elementary and secondary schools, special groups, the general public, and activities for the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit.

Specific Responsibilities:

Education

• Develop and implement a comprehensive schedule of planetarium shows, including special programming for rotating exhibits, events, school programs, and seasonal activities/calendars.
• Schedule and conduct public astronomy lectures and observations.
• Collaborate with the School Programs team to design and implement standards-based astronomy programs and educational materials.
• Instruct camps, school programs, and special events as required.

Staff and Volunteer Management

• Recruit, train, manage, and evaluate planetarium staff and volunteers.
• Provide ongoing training and supervision for other astronomy staff and volunteers.
• Participate in Museum public programs when appropriate.

Outreach

• Act as advisor and liaison to the Museum’s astronomy club (SBAU).
• Attend monthly SBAU meetings and Star Parties.
• Assist with promoting public outreach related to Museum-based events and astronomy content across the museum calendar and other media outlets.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Ensure the maintenance and repair needs of the Space Sciences Exhibit, Planetarium, and Observatory buildings and equipment are promptly addressed.
• Manage and maintain the annual Astronomy program budget.
• Collaborate with the Marketing Department to update the astronomy section of the Museum’s website.
• Maintain accurate records for astronomy/planetarium attendance, volunteer hours, and other related metrics for board reporting, budgeting, and development purposes.
• Work closely with the Exhibits Division to develop engaging and informative exhibits for the Space Sciences Exhibit.
• Track attendance and provide data for conditional use permit (CUP) reports, annual reports, and grant proposals.

Guest Experience & Museum Support

• Contributes to a positive guest experience by greeting and addressing any questions when encountering guests as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center.
• Maintain a clean and orderly environment within the planetarium, exhibit halls, and other public spaces.
• Support the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for fellow staff, guests, and the community.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in physics, astronomy or related field.
• Experience developing curriculum and teaching astronomy courses to a variety of age groups.
• Experience operating a digital planetarium for the creation of planetarium programs.
• Experience operating and maintaining telescopes and/or observatories.
• Strong working knowledge of the science of astronomy.
• Ability to interact with the general public and communicate basic and more technical ideas in ways that engage and inform a broad audience.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Microsoft Office skills.

Work Environment:

• General office environment with occasional work throughout the Museum’s facilities (galleries, conference rooms, research laboratories and exhibit halls).
• Frequent work in Museum’s Space Sciences Exhibit, planetarium, and observatory.
• Regular work in the evening and/or outdoors, including one weekend day per week.
• Significant sitting, standing, bending, climbing stairs, and walking with occasional hiking.
• Occasional lifting of moderate loads (25 lbs).
• 20/20 corrected eyesight.
• Significant computer work (repetitive movement – typing).

The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the job description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance. The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job. The Museum will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.