HEADLANDS DARK SKY PARK ASTRONOMER (seasonal)

 
POSITION: Headlands Dark Sky Park Astronomer (seasonal)
DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation Department
SUPERVISOR: Headlands Park Manager
LOCATION: Headlands International Dark Sky Park
RATE OF PAY: $16.00 – $19.00 (depending on position and experience)
END-OF-SEASON BONUS: Seasonal staff, who meet the criteria for attendance and job performance, will qualify for a bonus based on seasonal hours worked

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Headlands has been a designated International Dark Sky Park since 2011. The park is open 24/7, every day of the year. This position consists of operating various telescopes, public speaking, and communicating with the general public while giving guided tours of the sky on clear nights.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Provide guided telescope viewing and constellation identification to the public on clear nights.
• Communicate in an instructive, informative, and kind manner with guests.
• Maintain cleanliness of observatory and telescope equipment.
• Work with volunteer docents to be sure every observing night is scheduled and fully staffed.
• Continue to be a steward of the night and sharing the importance of protecting the night from artificial light.
• Must have a flexible schedule, be available to work late nights, along with every clear night during the summer months.

DESIRED BEHAVIORAL TRAITS: 
Self-motivated, task oriented, honest, physically able to handle duties and responsibilities.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: 
• Operate 20” PlaneWave telescope inside the observatory, in addition to the 6” Takahashi solar Scope.
• Capture images of the night sky of your choosing.
• Create programming that matches your strengths.
• Continue your own personal research with the use of our equipment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES: 
• Great communication skills
• Ability to lift, bend, reach without assistance
• Able to perform a variety of tasks

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: 
• Current college student or college graduate preferred.
• Astrophotography experience preferred, but not required.
• Writing experience preferred, but not required.
• Professional speaking experience preferred, but not required.
• Teaching experience preferred, but not required.
• Customer service experience

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES REQUIRED: 
• Driver’s License

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by such a person.
 

Emmet County, Michigan
200 Division Street, Petoskey MI 49770
(231) 348-1700 | Contact Us