FLWO's public outreach activities have historically been a significant part of SAO’s contribution to the Smithsonian Institution’s mission of increase and diffusion of knowledge. Through its visitor center and community involvement, FLWO introduces SAO's pioneering work in astronomy to over 10,000 members of the general public each year. The PIO also provides essential public outreach in the area of site protection, educating the public, local and regional government officials, and others about the light pollution threats posed to the Observatories by new development.
Summary
FLWO's public outreach activities have historically been a significant part of SAO’s contribution to the Smithsonian Institution’s mission of increase and diffusion of knowledge. Through its visitor center and community involvement, FLWO introduces SAO's pioneering work in astronomy to over 10,000 members of the general public each year. The PIO also provides essential public outreach in the area of site protection, educating the public, local and regional government officials, and others about the light pollution threats posed to the Observatories by new development.
1. Plans, coordinates, and implements local and regional public affairs programs related to SAO’s operations in Arizona:
Manages the FLWO Visitor Center, including maintaining and updating public displays and video materials.
Enhances the public outreach aspect of the Observatory Website, and establishes and maintains a social media presence.
Recruits, trains, and oversees volunteers to staff the Visitor Center, and serve as tour guides, safety crew members and engineering assistants.
Organizes public and other special tours, public lecture series by astronomers from SAO and other institutions, and quarterly Star Parties. Establishes and maintains liaison with local amateur astronomy groups.
Assists schools and other organizations with science education, and maintains the MicroObservatory for the SAO Science Education Department.
Fosters close contacts with the media by responding to press inquiries, providing interviews, hosting visiting journalists, and assisting with filming for astronomy-related programs.
Plans, schedules and coordinates visits to FLWO by dignitaries, Institution and other officials, visiting scientists and/or staff from other Observatories, the media, and other interested parties. Works closely with the SAO Advancement Office to host potential donors. This includes the development and presentation of accurate and understandable information about Observatory research activities.
Serves as liaison with SAO Cambridge public affairs staff.
Provides public outreach, education, and liaison in support of protecting the Observatory site from threats of degradation because of light and other pollution resulting from industrial, commercial, residential and other development:
Serves as liaison between FLWO and government and agency officials including the USFS, Border Patrol, Santa Cruz County, Pima County, Cochise County, Town of Sahuarita, City of Tucson International Dark-sky Association
Monitors area activities and attends, or ensures FLWO representation at, relevant city, town, and county meetings and public hearings. Provides assistance to planning staff as appropriate.
Researches and prepares input to Environmental Assessments and Impact Statements for Federal and other agencies
Coordinates site protection activities with MMTO staff and other regional observatories including Mt. Lemmon, KPNO, MGIO, VATT, Lowell, USNO, Apache Point, McDonald, Guillermo Haro, and Palomar; and with semi-professional observatories in Southern Arizona such as the Grasslands Observatory, Winer, and Tenagra.
Pre- and post-appointment background investigation is required.
May be required to serve a one year probationary period.
Direct deposit/electronic funds transfer required for salary payment.
Must have a valid State drivers’ license.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet the basic qualification requirements as described in the Office of Personnel Management’s Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions.
These standards may be viewed at the following address on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-III/A/0800-NDX.htm.
In addition to the required basic qualifications, you must have one year of full-time experience at the grade 9 level that is close or similar to the work of this job. This experience would include activities such as planning, organizing, advertising, and executing public events, and coordinating an organizations efforts to educate the public, media, and government officials about a topic requiring specialized technical knowledge. Basic knowledge of astronomy and dark sky protection is desirable.
Education
There is no specific education requirement for this series.
Additional information
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.
A recruitment bonus may be authorized.
The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
Knowledge of communications and public affairs principles, methods, and techniques.
Knowledge of astronomy or a related physical science sufficient to develop and present materials describing the scientific research mission of the Observatory to a broad range of audiences.
Ability to develop and coordinate effective community relations programs.
Skill in producing innovative material and programs that stimulate the interests of diverse audiences.
Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationshipswith representatives of the media, state and local governments, Federal agencies, and other scientific and community organizations.
The ability to analyze and interpret public feedback and to apply it to the development of new or strengthened public affairs programs.
Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience.
Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed. To preview questions please click here.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Your application package should include the following documents:
Detailed resume
Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR
You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
At the end of the application process you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as receipt of your application.
The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.
Additional Information:
Tips on applying for Smithsonian jobs are available at www.sihr.si.edu/jobs.cfm
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your application package should include the following documents:
Detailed resume
Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR
You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
At the end of the application process you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as receipt of your application.
The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.
Additional Information:
Tips on applying for Smithsonian jobs are available at www.sihr.si.edu/jobs.cfm
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
