Kitt Peak Visitor Center Operations Manager

The Kitt Peak Visitor Center Operations Manager is responsible for the management and operation of the Visitor Center including planning, organizing, staffing, technical maintenance, tracking, and evaluating all public visitor activities at Kitt Peak. The Visitor Center is comprised of the museum, retail gift shop, the four Kitt Peak Visitor Center (KPVC) telescopes and the NOIRLab Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach (Windows Center), with its Science on Sphere (SoS), 3 Heliostats, and future planetarium. The KPVC operates as an integral part of the Communications, Education & Engagement (CEE) unit under the matrixed supervision of the Head of CEE and the Director of Mid-Scale Observatories (MSO).

Essential Functions:

• Oversee all operations and provide budget and staff management for the KPVC, including the Windows Center.
• Develop and implement an operations concept and plan which aims to break even for the KPVC income and expenses.
• Manage the KPVC team including operational staff, gift shop personnel, technicians, public programs specialists, and the fundraiser/development officer.
• Collaborate with the CEE team for support in:
  • Educational program development
  • Exhibition and events development
  • Promotion/distribution/partnerships
  • Social media strategy support
  • Evaluation support
  • Web & graphics services
  • Hawaii and Chile public visit coordination
  • News team (for media relations)
• Collaborate with the relevant MSO units on:
• Tohono O’odham Nation engagement
• Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) operations
• Establish and maintain crucial relationships with community organizations and associations in tourism, similar organizations in the science education field, and other observatory-based visitor centers.
• Procure retail merchandise for the KPVC including arts and crafts from Tohono O’odham Nation artisans.

Other Functions:

• Other duties as assigned
• On-site management requires the majority of work-time be performed at Kitt Peak (60% or more), with the remainder at our Headquarters building in Tucson or occasionally be performed remotely; transportation may be available from Tucson/ Sells to Kitt Peak.
• Work may fall on any day of the week as business needs require.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• A Bachelor’s degree in astronomy, communication, marketing, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of experience in a similar position working in public outreach, retail sales, tourism or in museums, with two or more of those years in a supervisory-management role leading a team of at least five people.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the methods, approaches, promotion, and procedures involved in public outreach, museums, and tourism.
• Project Management experience and the proven ability to effectively manage a budget; ability to understand and apply accounting practices in the maintenance of financial records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, visitors, and the public.
• Experience expressing ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate effectively and deal tactfully and cordially with all types of people and provide excellent customer service.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace or MS Office.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some weekends, nights, and holidays.
• Driver’s License and clean driving record.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Eight or more years of experience with the management of an astronomy/science/nature center, planetarium, natural history museum, or observatory visitor center doing public outreach, retail management, or tour planning and support.
• Experience with recruitment and management of professional staff and volunteers.
• Experience working with underrepresented communities-audiences.
• Experience writing grants that support science outreach programs and new exhibits.
• Familiarity with Point-of-Sale systems.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines.
• Must possess – 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity toperform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eyeglasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately
• Able to climb stairs and work at 6,800 feet altitude.
• May be required to extend worktime and/or stay overnight at Kitt Peak based on emergency operational and/or safety needs.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment.

Details on benefits can be found at https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/employee-benefits-guide/

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at NOIRLab.  Our managing organization, AURA, as a leader in the astronomical community, develops and supports programs that advance our organizational commitment to diversity, broaden participation, and encourage the advancement of diversity throughout the astronomical scientific workforce. Learn more at http://www.aura-astronomy.org/diversity.asp

Preference will be given to qualified internal candidates and qualified Native Americans living on or near the Tohono O'odham reservation.

Please list 3 professional references in your application (references will only be contacted later in the recruitment process) and attach: a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname Docname. Application documents that are not uploaded as part of the application may be sent to [email protected].

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at [email protected] 

The position will remain open until filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by December 12, 2022.

COVID-19 Policy Update: AURA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy that requires all employees to be vaccinated including being up to date on boosters, unless qualified for an exemption based on medical or religious reasons.  All new employees will be required to comply with this policy and will be required to present proof of full vaccination or submit a completed request (including supporting documents, if applicable) for an exemption at least five (5) business days prior to their start of employment.  Individuals who fail to meet this deadline may have their employment start date delayed. 

Currently the vaccination requirement does not apply to any future AURA employees working in Chile, regardless of their nationality or type of contract.

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), is a consortium of over 40 US institutions and three international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. AURA is responsible for managing the operations of the NSF’s NOIRLab, the National Solar Observatory, and the construction of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory  under cooperative agreements with the National Science Foundation and operations of the Space Telescope Science Institute under contracts with NASA. 

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws.