Program Engagement Specialist, IS-1701-09
Application Deadline: 30 June 2026
Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Employment Type: Temporary
Location: Amado, AZ
Compensation: $62,893 - $81,765 / year
Description
OPENING DATE: June 1, 2026
CLOSING DATE: June 30, 2026
SERIES/GRADE: IS-1701-09
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Temporary (Non-Federal), not to exceed June 15th, 2027, with the possibility of extension of an additional year.
DIVISION: Director's Office
LOCATION: Amado, AZ
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.SAO is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
While this position is classified as remote, the incumbent must reside in Arizona due to frequent travel required to support ongoing school visits and program engagement activities. Salary will be based on the locality where the selected applicant resides.
Multiple vacancies may be filled through this posting.
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
- Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTIONThe Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.
The STARS program, an initiative of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Center for Astrophysics, delivers telescopes, hands-on STEM curricula, and professional development to rural and tribal schools across the U.S. By bridging gaps in science education, STARS empowers students and teachers with the tools and knowledge needed to explore the universe and develop critical thinking skills. Our mission is to inspire the next generation of scientists through experiential learning opportunities. The program is launching in Arizona and will expand across the country as time and funding allows.
MAJOR DUTIES
Summary:
The purpose of this position is to deliver essential components of the STARS program to schools, including on site technical set up, teacher professional development, student classroom, day observing session, and evening community star parties. The Program Delivery and Engagement Specialist plays a critical role in advancing the mission of the STARS (Scientists Taking Astronomy to Rural Schools) program by leading the engagement with K-12 schools, school districts, and teachers in Arizona rural communities
- Logistics & Technical Setup: Unbox and calibrate Celestron NexStar 6SE telescopes at a variety of K-12 school sites across Arizona. Ensure all hardware and software components are operational for classroom use. On occasion transport telescope kit to school sites.
- Teacher Training: Conduct hands-on workshops for educators, training them on telescope alignment, GoTo menu navigation, and the integration of Smithsonian astronomy instructional material into their classrooms.
- Daytime Engagement: Lead in-classroom lessons and facilitate safe solar observing (using appropriate filtration) and daytime lunar observations for students.
- Evening Star Parties: Organize and host community "Star Parties," providing expert-level guided tours of the night sky for students, parents, and community members.
- Programmatic Outreach: Serve as the primary liaison between Arizona schools and the STARS program, ensuring the participating teachers and schools are well supported to sustain the program.
- Fleet & Gear Management: Responsible for the routine care of the assigned GSA vehicle and all astronomical equipment for events.
- Reporting: Maintain records of school visits, participant demographics, and equipment status; prepare post-event reports and assessments.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
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: https://www.si.edu/oeo.
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/
