Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all qualified candidates.

Provides overall vision and strategy for FLWO public and government relations/outreach and science communications as follows:

• Designs, plans, directs, advises, and supports communication activities.
• Develops, edits, and disseminates written, verbal, and designed products on various communication platforms to the public or specialized target groups both domestic and foreign. This includes press releases regarding scientific research and public activities, videos and posts for social media, editorial pieces in local, national, and international news sources, etc.
• Establishes and maintains relations with media and serves as the official FLWO spokesperson on all matters pertaining to the Observatory and its presence and work in Southern Arizona. Advises Site Director and CfA/SAO management on possible public and media reactions to proposed policy statements or Observatory actions. Directs and leads media site visits.
• Coordinates closely with CfA external affairs staff in Cambridge, MA to stay current on and consistent with CfA/SAO strategic communication messaging and goals, to engage more effectively with the public and enhance public understanding, and to publish broader written content and releases about the Observatory.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with local, national, international, and tribal governments and councils to protect the overall interests of the Observatory and create firm-supported networks across the Observatory’s interconnected communities. Directs and leads government and VIP visits to Mt Hopkins.
• Establishes and maintains crucial relationships with community organizations in tourism, similar organizations in the science education field, and other observatory-based science centers. Represents FLWO at appropriate research and industry conferences, and presents research on applicable science, education, and observatory topics.
• Collaborates with other southwest Observatories on shared issues and opportunities; manages engagement with Southwest Observatories Collaboration and Arizona Astronomy Consortium.

Manages the FLWO Visitor and Science Center and public programming

• Provides strategic direction for the FLWO Visitor & Science Center (VSC) and works with a broad range of constituents and experts to develop both short term and long-range exhibits and programs. Maintains existing exhibits and proposes and develops new exhibits and in accordance with museum industry best practices and SI policy, particularly in areas such accessibility and outreach to disparately impacted communities in the primary local footprint (i.e., Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Rural community, Title 1).
• Develops and implements an operations concept and plan to make the FLWO VSC self-sustaining.
• Oversees FLWO Visitor & Science Center daily operations. Develops and manages budget, programming, and retail (sales, inventory etc.)
• Provides oversight and management for the FLWO VSC team, including an education specialist, part-time on-call guides, visiting non-scientific Smithsonian Fellows, education and policy interns, and a cohort of 60+ volunteers.
• Develops volunteer opportunities in areas such as exhibits, science communication and education, science center management, store management, data management, digitization and archives, safety, and engineering. Executes an outreach plan to ensure diversity and recruits in communities that have not historically participated in the program.  Selects, trains, and supervises volunteers.
• Coordinates with the CfA Director’s Office on fundraising and grant-writing activities in accordance with operations planning.
• Serves as the public face of FLWO to visitors and designs, develops, and directs public programming including school and library programming, star parties, public presentations, lecture series,  and tour programs (telescope  tours,, VERITAS walking tour, and nature trail tour etc.).  

Supports Observatory site protection efforts by providing public outreach and education on threats to astronomical observing caused by light/particulate pollution resulting from area industrial, commercial, and residential development.

Directs FLWO educational activities and outreach. Provides vision, direction, and strategy for the FLWO education program and sub programs including science education for both schools and the public, and specialty learning programs (e.g.: astrophotography, chemistry concepts, light pollution, and government affairs).

Maintains records of outreach and educational activities to quantify public impact and makes periodic reports to CfA and/or SI leadership.

Travels as required and performs other related duties as assigned.

Note: The incumbent of this position is required to file a Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interests (SI Form 1085)

Conditions of employment

May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Pre- and post-appointment background investigation

Direct deposit/electronic funds transfer required for salary payment.

Qualifications

One full-time year (12 months) of specialized work experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience includes demonstrating accomplishment of developing and implementing a comprehensive public affairs program that involves public information, internal information, media relations, and community relations that required a wide range of knowledge of communication requirements and techniques pertinent to the position to be filled. This knowledge is generally demonstrated by assignments where you analyze a number of alternative approaches in the process of advising management concerning major aspects of the public affairs program.

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

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:

Mastery of the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of communication so as to function as a technical authority with responsibility for the development and execution of plans for the dissemination of written and oral information regarding FLWO and related Observatories on Mt. Hopkins

Demonstrated ability to develop and coordinate effective community education/outreach programs, including producing innovative material and programs that stimulate the interests of diverse audiences, both in-person and virtual.

Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with representatives of the media, state and local governments,  Federal agencies, and other scientific and community organizations.

Experience in small museum management, including the ability to conceive, design, develop and maintain exhibits that present the Observatories’ scientific research to a diverse public audience.

Knowledge of astronomy or a related physical science sufficient to develop and present materials describing the scientific research of the Observatory to the media and a broad range of audiences. 

Ability to recruit, train and manage a large and diverse group of volunteer staff

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.