Education Specialist

Position Description:

Position Summary

 

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is recruiting for a full-time Education Specialist within our Education and Public Outreach (EPO) division.

The NM Education Specialist will work with the STEAM Education Manager (based in NM) and a fellow Education Specialist (based in Charlottesville, Virginia) in creating, designing, implementing, and executing formal and informal education programs for K-12 students and teachers, and other K-12 focused STEM groups. Subject matter will include a broad range of subjects related to radio astronomy, to be presented online and/or in person. The NM Education Specialist will also be involved in creating and delivering virtual and in-person tours of the Very Large Array (VLA) to educational groups and the general public. Finally, the NM Education Specialist will work with and support the greater EPO team efforts via collaboration with the News Group and the Multimedia Group.

 

The selected candidate will work collaboratively in a geographically dispersed team. They will leverage interpersonal/written communication and public speaking skills to interface and develop working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including; scientists, educators, students, managers and the general public. They will operate with a degree of autonomy in a dynamic environment while working toward a shared vision, mission, goals and objectives. The ideal candidate will leverage learning opportunities to grow within their role and organization. 

 

The position reports to the STEAM Education Manager and will be based at NRAO’s Science Operations Center located in Socorro, New Mexico (NM), on the campus of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (www.nmt.edu). Socorro is a small, historical city in the Rio Grande Valley, 75 miles south of Albuquerque. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Socorro offers ample access to outdoor recreation.

 

The NRAO is the preeminent radio astronomy organization and operates some of the most scientifically impactful instruments in the world. The NRAO and Education and Public Outreach department are committed to broadening participation in radio astronomy and are committed to a inclusive and diverse community. In addition to competitive pay, NRAO provides excellent paid time off benefits (vacation and sick leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective first day of employment. NRAO’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay. No contribution is required of the employee; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

 

Job Duties Summary

The NM Education Specialist will be responsible for, but not limited to:

 

• Assisting in designing, developing, and implementing formal education, informal education, and professional development programs related to astronomy, radio astronomy, the VLA and ALMA, and the NRAO for K-12 teachers and students
• Giving programs, presentations, and tours for students, educators, and the public.
• Assisting in training students, staff, and others in tour and program procedures.
• Assisting in identifying K-12 STEM/STEAM stakeholders and organizations at the county- (Socorro) and state- (New Mexico) levels and working to establish ongoing relationships, understanding their needs, and proposing how NRAO EPO/STEAM Ed can be of support.
• Assistsing in designing, developing, and creating hardcopy and online educational materials for use by students and the general public
• Assisting in supporting the Sister Cities and Observatory Program linking high school students from Socorro County, NM and San Pedro de Atacama, Chile;
• Planning and coordinating EPO Events such as Open Houses, Science Fairs, and exhibition booths with hands-on activities at local and state STEM/STEAM events (when applicable).
• Delivering programs and presentations for the students, educators, and the public.
• Working with EPO News and Multimedia Groups and actively contributing to EPO short and long-term planning, program development, and reporting.
• Compiling evaluation metrics and feedback to measure impact.
• Answering queries from students, educators, and the general public about the NRAO and astronomy.
• VLA Visitor Center responsibilities:
• Assisting in all tours (i.e. Open Houses, 1st and 3rd Saturdays, and tours by reservation);
• Assisting in training of tour guides.
• Others duties as assigned.

 

 

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. Note: Socorro, NM is at an elevation of approximately 4,600 ft/1,400 m and the VLA site elevation is ~7,000 ft/2,100 m.

 

Work is typically performed in an office environment, but will also include events at schools, exhibit halls, and the VLA Visitor Center that may be indoors and/or outdoors.

May work occasional evening or weekend events. Must be able to work a varied flexible work schedule.

Occasional domestic travel is required.

 

 

Position Requirements:

 

Minimum Education

A Bachelor's degree in astronomy, physical science, education, or a related field is required. Enthusiasm for astronomy education and outreach is required.

 

Minimum Experience

One year of experience in a related field.

 

Preferred Experience

Two or more years of middle or high school teaching or museum instructional experience, or experience working in a comparable EPO setting.

 

• Experience facilitating research experiences in the classroom (posing a research question, collection of data, data analysis and reporting on results) with actual data sets preferred.
• Ability to create inclusive and culturally responsive programming that uses knowledge of ethnically diverse cultures and diverse teaching strategies, in order to engage a broad range of students, create a safe and respectful learning environment, and promote equitable learning.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and sustaining principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Experience with and working knowledge of social media, multimedia applications, and office software such as MS Office. Experience with organization/productivity tools such as Trello, Slack, and Google Drive preferred.
• Writen and verbal fluency in Spanish is prefered, but not required.

 

Additional Requirements

The Observatory requires staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to access our facilities.  An offer of employment will be considered contingent until the selected applicant provides proof of vaccination.  A selected applicant may request consideration for an accommodation for a disability or for a sincerely held religious belief.

 

Background Check

The selected candidate must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment background check as a condition of employment.

 

 

 

Application Instructions:

 

Above all we are looking for someone who is passionate about communicating astronomy to the general public, creative and ambitious in their methods for doing so, and willing to work in a collaborative environment. We particularly encourage applicants with marginalized identities to apply.

 

Select the “Apply” button. You will need to be prepared to upload the following items as a single PDF document:

 

1. Cover letter describing your interest in this position, how your education and experience match, and outlines what you will bring to the NRAO. (maximum 2 pages)
2. Curriculum vitae (maximum 5 pages)
3. Sample(s) of K-12/public outreach activities that you have experience running in or out of the classroom.

The deadline for receipt of applications is March 25, 2022. Please direct inquiries to Summer Ash, [email protected].

 

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

 

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, Minorities, Vietnam-Era Veterans, Disabled Veterans, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. To view our complete statement, please visit http://jobs.jobvite.com/nrao/jobs. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email to [email protected].

 

 

The NRAO is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/D/V)