Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California is recruiting a Planetarium Manager for the new $20 million Orange Coast College Planetarium that will be completed in the Fall of 2018. Under the general supervision of the Dean of Math and Sciences, the Planetarium Manager develops, directs, and administers a planetarium which supports curriculum and serves as an educational and entertainment facility for students, school groups, and the community. The manager will develop a research-based action plan that blends service hours, programs, and education in a way that optimizes patronage. The Planetarium Manager is a first-line management position that integrates educational support with community-based education and entertainment. The Planetarium Manager assists the Foundation with fund raising and public relations efforts.

Examples of Duties:

• Oversees the operation of the planetarium and its displays, presentation formats, schedules and hours of service, and programs.
• Works with faculty to integrate planetarium capabilities with curriculum in astronomy, physics, and other sciences and curriculum.
• Coordinates and directs programming, staff training, and outreach to schools, groups, and visitors.
• Develops, modifies and installs new programs. Researches, writes, produces and updates existing programs to offer continuous new visual and lecture content.
• Oversees maintenance of planetarium facility and equipment. Participates in the design, build, setup, and maintain planetarium equipment as necessary; contacts outside vendors as needed for repairs; maintains documentation and inventory files on equipment.
• Plans and schedules planetarium star shows, courses and special events; modifies programs by adding and rearranging projectors and special effects.
• Sets up systems for handling admissions and other fees and charges; accounts for receipts, school/group initiated purchase orders.
• Researches and prepares preliminary budget recommendations related to planetarium operations, taking into consideration schedule proposals, equipment, and income projections.
• Purchases new equipment, tools, and shows based on approved budgets; coordinates and oversees maintenance contracts and other related technical requirements of facility.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge of theories and concepts in astronomy, physics, or related discipline.
• Knowledge of planetarium equipment and technologies used for education and interactive presentations.
• Knowledge of computer operating systems used by the District, desktop productivity software, and specialized applications/simulations software used on astronomy and physics.
• Knowledge of new technologies such as web development, multimedia tools, courseware authoring tools, and other instructional technologies.
• Knowledge of scientific math skills sufficient to create and present analytic presentations.
• Knowledge of English language sufficient to write clear, succinct, step-by-step instructions and explanations.
• Well-developed human relations skills to deliver inspiring group presentations, in-service education to groups and individuals and to explain technical concepts to non-technical staff.
• Ability to carry out the major accountabilities of the position.
• Ability to organize and present shows, education, and entertainment for astronomy topics.
• Ability to outreach to school groups and the community for promoting the astronomy programs and to collaborate with faculty to support curriculum.
• Ability to express educational technology goals relating to the Planetarium with imaginative application of multimedia and technologies to support curriculum.
• Ability to convey concepts in writing and orally to individuals and/or groups of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work within a changing environment, schedule, and manage multiple priorities.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Astronomy, Physics, or related discipline.
• Three (3) years of progressive experience supporting a planetarium or comparable environment that includes guest relations.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field or discipline.
• May require a valid driver’s license.

Salary: $76,719.00 - $101,064.00 Annually Qualified applicants for this exciting new position are encouraged to apply online at the CCCD official website. Applications will be received till August 8, 2017 11:59 P.M.