Assistant Manager of Buhl Planetarium

This Full-Time position is eligible for the Carnegie Museums' many Benefits. 

Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate. 

The Assistant Manager of Buhl Planetarium is responsible for the management of a major program area while participating in a team approach to the smooth development, operation, and delivery of science programs and experiments. Duties include hiring, on-boarding, scheduling, motivating, direct supervision, and evaluation of full-time and part-time presenters working in the Buhl Planetarium & Observatory and coordinating facility resources with other team members and other departments and divisions.

The candidate utilizes a high degree of people and presentation skills to initiate warm, friendly, energized experiences for visitors of all ages. A successful applicant is adaptable, innovative, creative, and relationship-driven with a desire to learn new things and remain current on a variety of topics and learning styles.  A successful candidate will collaborate with peers and their team to develop and deliver innovative programs that are dynamic, exciting, engaging, and interactive. 

Responsible for communicating and modeling the direction, strategy, and execution of providing a personalized, high-quality, world-class, guest experience for the science center’s planetarium. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Three years’ experience working in the customer service or educational field and one-year professional experience involving informal learning and engagement presenting both large- and small-format programs. 
• Must have proven success in managing a team.
• Experience maintaining program safety, quality, and vision in a fast-paced, complex and changing environment is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILTIES:

• Requires a highly organized, guest-centered individual who can manage a team of part-time and full-time staff and support innovative science learning experiences.
• Ability to manage complex tasks in a dynamic environment is essential.
• Candidates must have effective communication skills. 
• Planetarium requires a general knowledge of computer and technology skills involving Digistar and Stellarium Software, lighting board, Lasers and sound equipment. 
• Knowledge of basic telescope handling and mechanics is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Job is primarily mobile in nature. 
• Position works with dim lighting, strobing lighting effects, fog vapor, and Laser systems.  
• Must attend safety training regularly and be current on SDS and FDA compliance. 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Hire, train, motivate, coordinate, and evaluate staff for all areas of supervision to maintain a high achieving and enthusiastic team committed to safety, innovation, quality work, and positive inter-departmental relations, beneficial outcomes, strong science content, and audience engagement and enjoyment.
• Demonstrate a commitment to best practices in safety and operations; work to improve documentation and processes wherever they are lacking; enforce policies and procedures; ensure team members are properly trained in all areas relevant to their duties.
• Identify and address safety concerns to promote best practices in telescope and Laser handling in a museum setting while meeting OSHA, FDA, and SDS regulations.
• Serve as a member of the cross-departmental daily operations team. Set an example for consistently high standards of customer service. Be familiar with procedures for resolving guest conflicts and concerns and make informed decisions in dealing with guests. Supervise the overall day-to-day museum operations, which includes being a leader for all staff in problem solving highly complex situations.
• Under the direction of the Manager of Buhl Planetarium & Observatory, execute the overall safety and programming strategy for the Buhl Planetarium & Observatory at Carnegie Science Center to provide guests with the highest quality engagement.
• Monitor and track equipment through logs and reports, create updates to checklists and execute continued learning with provided training. 
• Review scripts and processes yearly to ensure accuracy. 
• Develop new programs, evaluation of programs, direct curriculum development, organize, maintain and modify educational and safety materials.
• Schedule, supervise and motivate program delivery staff who conduct various education programs, working directly with the visitors, to assure program quality and excellent customer service.
• Working in concert with the Director of Theater Experiences and the Manager of Buhl Planetarium & Observatory, develop annual departmental budgets that focus on efficiency, productivity, and sustainable operations.
• Under the direction of the Buhl Planetarium & Observatory, maintain project budgets and schedules, ensuring that programs achieve the highest level of quality while remaining within budget and meeting all assigned criteria.
• Identify opportunities to develop collaborative programming opportunities with the other components of Carnegie Museums (CM): Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH), Carnegie Museum of Art (CMoA), and the Andy Warhol Museum (AWM).
• Coordinate with creative and community partners to develop and promote programs.
• Develop, maintain and deepen relationships with related external organizations, such as colleges and universities, industry trade associations, cultural organizations, and others.
• Actively seek professional growth opportunities and keep abreast of new and emerging technologies, techniques, and applications within both the science/technology field and the museum/visitor experience field to grow professionally and to ensure and improve the relevance, quality, and effectiveness of all departmental programs and priorities.
• Represent CSC at internal and external meetings professional networks to promote and ensure widespread and accurate knowledge of CSC’s overall mission and activities.
• At all times, uphold CSC’s Four Keys of Operation: Safety, Courtesy, The Experience, and Efficiency; interact with all colleagues in a professional and respectful manner in accordance with CSC Community Norms.
• Serve at all times as an exemplary advocate for and model of Carnegie Science Center’s Quality Service and policies, and act in accordance with the organization’s strategic vision.
• Intentionally look for and foster opportunities to collaborate with other CSC departments and/or CMP components to eliminate programmatic silos and create a holistic visitor experience.
• Manage execution of any external contracts and maintain documentation of work, payments, and document compliance.
• Provide “front line” support, as needed, over the course of the year during times of peak visitation (e.g. holidays, special events, STEM competitions, etc.)
• Maintain basic departmental responsibilities (timely email, phone, communication; calendar management; regular availability for meetings between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday – Friday); etc.
• Perform other activities as required by Director’s Office.