The State University of New York College at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta) and the School of Sciences invites applications for the position of Coordinator of Science Outreach Activities. Reporting to the Dean of Sciences, expectations include overseeing the daily operation and maintenance of the A. J. Read Science Discovery Center (SDC) and the Planetarium.

The successful candidate will provide visionary leadership with the goal of elevating interdisciplinary science communications and science-related applied learning to greater prominence across campus and within the wider region. Serving the community as a free, hands-on museum for people of all ages and abilities, the SDC connects visitors to the joy and power of the scientific process through authentic, interactive exhibits, and operates as an indispensable Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math resource (STEAM). The SDC and the Planetarium are part of the College's strategic growth of applied learning opportunities, one of the areas for which SUNY Oneonta is recognized in national rankings.

The School of Sciences offers excellent facilities and equipment, including a Digistar planetarium, observatory with a 40-inch telescope, and the SDC, featuring an augmented reality sandbox and OmniGlobe®. To learn more about the School, please visit https://suny.oneonta.edu/school-sciences, and to learn more about the SDC, please visit https://suny.oneonta.edu/science-discovery-center.

Responsibilities:

• overseeing the daily operation and maintenance of the SDC
• maintaining regular SDC operational hours and programing, such as school field trip visits, Science Saturday, and Go STEM
• assisting planetarium faculty team by scheduling, publicizing and presenting planetarium shows for public, collegiate, and K-12 audiences
• collaborating with faculty, community partners, and other stakeholders to develop and schedule a dynamic portfolio of public, collegiate, and K-12-focused programming
• creating and maintaining an exhibit environment that meets outreach goals and collaborating with faculty in developing exhibits that communicate dynamic research, teaching, and learning to a wider audience
• expanding current exhibits and programing to incorporate multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary learning
• building and maintaining relations with neighboring science centers and growing the College's presence in the city and town of Oneonta, Otsego County, and the surrounding counties
• overseeing outreach efforts, including social media, aimed at marketing programs to schools and the public
• providing SUNY Oneonta students with opportunities to engage in public STEAM outreach through internships, Work-Study, and volunteer positions, through which they can develop effective science communication skills
• performing administrative tasks including data collection, budgeting, hiring, and training
• working towards financial self-sufficiency of the SDC through grant writing and fundraising
• Some regular weekend and intermittent evening work
• not all duties are explicitly listed

Salary commensurate with experience: $50,000. Information on SUNY's comprehensive benefits offerings can be found at https://www.suny.edu/benefits.

Required Qualifications:

• bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline, education, museum studies, or a related field
• experience in public programming and events management
• demonstrated knowledge of museum education and best practices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• master's degree in STEM discipline, education, museum studies, or a related field

Experience in the following areas

• Working in a museum
• Working in a planetarium
• Working with K-12 school groups
• Working with faculty
• Writing and obtaining grants
• Fund raising
• Working with and serving diverse populations

SUNY Oneonta enrolls about 5,500 students who pursue bachelor's or master's degrees or certificates in one of 60-plus academic programs. Known as an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service and sustainability, SUNY Oneonta is a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially, and live purposefully.

SUNY Oneonta is ranked No. 114 on the Money Best Colleges in America 2022 list https://money.com/best-colleges/profile/suny-oneonta/, which recognizes colleges and universities across the country that have a record of helping students graduate and launching graduates into jobs with above-average wages.

The College is located in the City of Oneonta, nestled in the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains about a four-hour drive from New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. With a population just shy of 14,000, Oneonta is one of the top 20 picturesque small towns in America, according to Microsoft News. The natural beauty of the region is breathtaking year-round. Each season offers outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, boating, swimming, and skiing. Employees give SUNY Oneonta high marks for work/life balance, management, and culture. The College's indeed.com rating is 4.5 with one recent review noting that it's the people that make SUNY Oneonta so special.