Program Manager for Planetarium

Closing Date:

Project ManagementNoRegularNoUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a metropolitan research university that provides an accessible quality education through flexible learning and unparalleled internship opportunities. At UA Little Rock we prepare our more than 8900 students to be innovators and responsible leaders in their fields. Committed to its metropolitan research university mission UA Little Rock is a driving force in Little Rocks thriving cultural community and a major component of the city and states growing profile as a regional leader in research technology transfer economic development and job creation.

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Donaghey College of Science Technology Engineering & MathematicsUA Little Rock is seeking to hire a Planetarium Program Manager for the Shellam Flake Planetarium. The Program Manager is responsible for the development coordination and daily management of educational programming public outreach activities visitor engagement and operational support for the planetarium. The Planetarium Program Manager will play a central role in advancing STEM education and outreach experiential learning and community engagement initiatives at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The position supports the mission of the Science Triangle by creating innovative and accessible educational experiences for K12 students university students educators and the broader public. The position will collaborate with faculty staff schools community organizations and external partners to expand the planetariums impact and visibility as a regional hub for science education and public engagement. The Program Manager will also collaborate with other Science Triangle facilities and initiatives to support interdisciplinary STEM education outreach and public engagement activities. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policies.

Required Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelors degree in astronomy physics STEM education science communication museum studies communications or a related field;
• Experience in science outreach education public programming or informal STEM learning;
• Strong organizational communication and presentation skills;
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required for public events and astronomy programming.

Preferred Education and/or Experience:

• Masters degree in astronomy physics science education STEM education science communication museum studies communications or a related field;
• Experience presenting live planetarium programs to public audiences;
• Experience developing K12 STEM educational programming;
• Familiarity with planetarium software astronomical visualization systems and audiovisual technologies;
• Experience supervising student employees interns or volunteers;
• Experience with grant-supported educational or outreach programs.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Educational Programming

• Develop coordinate and deliver planetarium shows educational programs workshops and STEM outreach activities;
• Design programming aligned with Arkansas K12 science standards and university educational objectives;
• Create engaging educational content related to STEM fields and emerging technologies;
• Coordinate special programs for schools summer camps teacher workshops and community organizations;
• Develop adapt or curate full-dome content interactive presentations and educational resources for diverse audiences;
• Develop programming that is accessible and engaging for audiences with diverse educational backgrounds abilities and interests;
• Evaluate educational programming and outreach activities to support continuous improvement and reporting.

Public Outreach & Community Engagement

• Organize and support public astronomy events guest lectures science festivals and special presentations;
• Build partnerships with schools museums libraries nonprofits and community organizations;
• Develop and maintain partnerships with K12 educators to enhance classroom integration of planetarium programming and STEM learning resources;
• Promote scientific literacy and public interest in STEM disciplines;
• Assist in expanding outreach efforts to underserved and rural communities across Arkansas.

Planetarium Operations

• Coordinate scheduling facility utilization and daily operations of the planetarium;
• Operate and assist with maintenance of planetarium projection systems audiovisual equipment and educational technologies;
• Ensure high-quality visitor experiences during public programs and educational events;
• Support educational community and special-event use of the planetarium facility;
• Assist with facility management safety procedures preventive maintenance and equipment upgrades.

Student & Volunteer Engagement

• Supervise and train student workers interns and volunteers involved in planetarium operations and outreach activities;
• Support experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students;
• Encourage student participation in science communication and outreach initiatives.

Communications & Promotion

• Assist with marketing and promotion of planetarium programs through digital media newsletters and community outreach;
• Coordinate event announcements registration activities and public communications;
• Support website content updates and coordinate with university marketing personnel regarding promotion of planetarium programming.

Administrative & Strategic Support

• Assist with budget tracking program assessment reporting and operational planning;
• Collect and analyze participation and visitor engagement metrics;
• Support grant proposals sponsorship development and fundraising activities related to educational programming;
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning for the planetarium and Science Triangle initiatives.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate scientific concepts to audiences of all ages and backgrounds;
• Strong public speaking and educational presentation skills;
• Ability to manage multiple programs and events simultaneously;
• Ability to work collaboratively with educators faculty students and community partners;
• Strong technical aptitude related to educational and audiovisual technologies;
• Commitment to inclusive and accessible STEM education and outreach.

Additional Information:

$55000Cover Letter/Letter of Application Curriculum Vitae List of three Professional References (name email business title)Tansel Karabacka Ph.D. Professor and Dean
Donaghey College of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics
University of Arkansas at Little Rock

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Criminal Background Check Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions there may also be a financial (credit) background check a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law including age race color national origin disability religion protected veteran status military service genetic information sex sexual preference or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex may be sent to the Universitys Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

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