Program Manager for Planetarium

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Closing Date:

Type of Position:

Project Management

Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:

Regular

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a metropolitan research university that provides an accessible, quality education through flexible learning and unparalleled internship opportunities. At UA Little Rock, we prepare our more than 8,900 students to be innovators and responsible leaders in their fields. Committed to its metropolitan research university mission, UA Little Rock is a driving force in Little Rock's thriving cultural community and a major component of the city and state's growing profile as a regional leader in research, technology transfer, economic development, and job creation.

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Department:

Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Department's Website:

Summary of Job Duties:

UA Little Rock is seeking to hire a Planetarium Program Manager for the Shellam Flake Planetarium. The Program Manager is responsible for the development, coordination, and daily management of educational programming, public outreach activities, visitor engagement, and operational support for the planetarium. The Planetarium Program Manager will play a central role in advancing STEM education and outreach, experiential learning, and community engagement initiatives at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The position supports the mission of the Science Triangle by creating innovative and accessible educational experiences for K-12 students, university students, educators, and the broader public. The position will collaborate with faculty, staff, schools, community organizations, and external partners to expand the planetarium''s impact and visibility as a regional hub for science education and public engagement. The Program Manager will also collaborate with other Science Triangle facilities and initiatives to support interdisciplinary STEM education, outreach, and public engagement activities. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policies.

Qualifications:

Required Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in astronomy, physics, STEM education, science communication, museum studies, communications, or a related field;
• Experience in science outreach, education, public programming, or informal STEM learning;
• Strong organizational, communication, and presentation skills;
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required for public events and astronomy programming.

Preferred Education and/or Experience:

• Master's degree in astronomy, physics, science education, STEM education, science communication, museum studies, communications, or a related field;
• Experience presenting live planetarium programs to public audiences;
• Experience developing K-12 STEM educational programming;
• Familiarity with planetarium software, astronomical visualization systems, and audiovisual technologies;
• Experience supervising student employees, interns, or volunteers;
• Experience with grant-supported educational or outreach programs.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Educational Programming

• Develop, coordinate, and deliver planetarium shows, educational programs, workshops, and STEM outreach activities;
• Design programming aligned with Arkansas K-12 science standards and university educational objectives;
• Create engaging educational content related to STEM fields and emerging technologies;
• Coordinate special programs for schools, summer camps, teacher workshops, and community organizations;
• Develop, adapt, or curate full-dome content, interactive presentations, and educational resources for diverse audiences;
• Develop programming that is accessible and engaging for audiences with diverse educational backgrounds, abilities, and interests;
• Evaluate educational programming and outreach activities to support continuous improvement and reporting.

Public Outreach & Community Engagement

• Organize and support public astronomy events, guest lectures, science festivals, and special presentations;
• Build partnerships with schools, museums, libraries, nonprofits, and community organizations;
• Develop and maintain partnerships with K-12 educators to enhance classroom integration of planetarium programming and STEM learning resources;
• Promote scientific literacy and public interest in STEM disciplines;
• Assist in expanding outreach efforts to underserved and rural communities across Arkansas.

Planetarium Operations

• Coordinate scheduling, facility utilization, and daily operations of the planetarium;
• Operate and assist with maintenance of planetarium projection systems, audiovisual equipment, and educational technologies;
• Ensure high-quality visitor experiences during public programs and educational events;
• Support educational, community, and special-event use of the planetarium facility;
• Assist with facility management, safety procedures, preventive maintenance, and equipment upgrades.

Student & Volunteer Engagement

• Supervise and train student workers, interns, and volunteers involved in planetarium operations and outreach activities;
• Support experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students;
• Encourage student participation in science communication and outreach initiatives.

Communications & Promotion

• Assist with marketing and promotion of planetarium programs through digital media, newsletters, and community outreach;
• Coordinate event announcements, registration activities, and public communications;
• Support website content updates and coordinate with university marketing personnel regarding promotion of planetarium programming.

Administrative & Strategic Support

• Assist with budget tracking, program assessment, reporting, and operational planning;
• Collect and analyze participation and visitor engagement metrics;
• Support grant proposals, sponsorship development, and fundraising activities related to educational programming;
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning for the planetarium and Science Triangle initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate scientific concepts to audiences of all ages and backgrounds;
• Strong public speaking and educational presentation skills;
• Ability to manage multiple programs and events simultaneously;
• Ability to work collaboratively with educators, faculty, students, and community partners;
• Strong technical aptitude related to educational and audiovisual technologies;
• Commitment to inclusive and accessible STEM education and outreach.

Additional Information:

Salary Information:

$55,000

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title)

Optional Documents:

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Recruitment Contact Information:

Tansel Karabacka, Ph.D. | Professor and Dean

Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

txkarabacak@ualr.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Feeling, Grasping, Hearing, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Sitting

Frequent Physical Activity:

Hearing, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Sitting, Talking

Occasional Physical Activity:

Crouching, Kneeling, Lifting, Walking

Benefits Eligible:

Yes