Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: that included or was supplemented by major study in science education or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position.
OR
Combination of education and experience - courses equivalent to a major in education, or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position, plus appropriate experience or additional course work that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in A above.
In addition to meeting the basic education requirements, applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for the specified grade level.
Experience:
One year of full-time experience at the GS-07 level that is close or similar to the work of this job. The experience includes activities such as serving as public engagement event staff, an outreach facilitator, or a museum explainer.
Education:
Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent degree in education or a field related to the position may be substituted for the required experience.
Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:
- Demonstrated experience with telescope operation.
- Proven track record of working with K-12 students and teachers in a classroom or informal education setting (e.g., museums, parks, or camps).
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain a clean driving record to operate a GSA vehicle.
- Must be able to pass a Smithsonian Institution (SI) background check and obtain an Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
- Deep knowledge of observational astronomy and the ability to communicate complex concepts to a general audience.
- Ability to work independently while "on the road" and manage a demanding travel schedule.
- Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships with school administrators, teachers and STARS team members.
- Collaborative mindset with strong ability to work effectively with people from various communities.
Preferred Experience
- Experience working with K-12 education systems.
- Specific familiarity with the Celestron NexStar 6SE or similar Schmidt-Cassegrain systems is highly preferred.
- Familiarity with communities of practice, professional learning networks, or educator support groups.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information:
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at
