Planetarium Presenter I

About the Opportunity
The Planetarium Presenter I (one) delivers live presentations in Morrison Planetarium (you will be presenting to an audience of nearly 300 guests in an arena-style arrangement, briefly looking up at the audience) as well as other venues in the Academy, such as Hohfeld Hall (20-100 guests), Science Today and the Naturalist Center (drop-in spaces for hands-on interactives), or the Hearst Forum Theater (50–135 guests), and on the museum floor. Most public planetarium shows involve introducing the show and presenting a brief “live section” during an otherwise pre-recorded show focused on astronomy or biodiversity science subjects. For other programs, the entirety is performed live while operating the planetarium visuals from a computer interface and/or video game controller. Presenters may also contribute to the development of content for planetarium shows and astronomy presentations in other venues. They may also be called upon to operate telescopes and guide astronomical viewing sessions for evening and daytime programs. This position reports to the Assistant Manager of Planetarium Programs.

Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position - there are always opportunities to learn and grow on the job.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite or live in the immediate Bay Area. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, including receiving a booster shot, as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy.

About the Morrison Planetarium and Visualization Studio Team
The Academy's Morrison Planetarium and Visualization Studio (MPVS) is where science storytelling comes to life. Since reopening in 2008, the Academy’s Morrison Planetarium has brought immersive science visualization to over seven million guests in various programs. Most of those immersive experiences leverage data-driven science storytelling created by the Academy’s award-winning Visualization Studio. The presenter team enthusiastically creates and facilitates engaging experiences that inspire our guests to develop deeper connections with science, nature, and each other.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver highly engaging programs to the public throughout the museum on various topics.
  • Provide astronomy and science information for guests of all ages
  • Use appropriate interpretive techniques to inspire wonder
  • Maintain a high level of enthusiasm while performing repetitive, interpretive programs
• Provide excellent customer service to guests and staff
  • Assist in seating and directing audiences as needed in the Planetarium theater or other venues
  • Accurately and courteously answer questions from visitors
• Assist with duties as needed, such as program equipment maintenance, program evaluation, etc.
• Help to maintain a positive work environment and to work cooperatively within a team.
• Follow all Academy safety regulations and complete all HR-assigned training.
• Support the Academy’s mission, vision and division-wide initiatives
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
Experience and/or Education:

• Six months’ experience and/or training in public speaking
• Coursework, training, or background in natural or physical science, science education (formal or informal), science communication, or other relevant fields
• Basic astronomy knowledge is required, extensive knowledge is preferred
• Planetarium experience, prior work with school groups, and/or telescope operation are desirable

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent public speaking skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Can multitask to operate planetarium controls or software while speaking smoothly and coherently
• Manual dexterity to operate planetarium console controls and various computer input devices, including traditional computer mouse, touchscreen, or video game controller
• Can adapt and maintain flexibility in changing and fast-paced environments
• Can maintain a high level of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity while performing repetitive programs regularly
• Can make complicated science concepts accessible to general audiences while maintaining scientific accuracy
• Can work well independently as well as in teams
• Can accept feedback graciously and integrate it into practice as needed
• Can effectively work on diverse teams and with a diverse range of people
• Ability to perform repetitive motions 50% of the time

Physical Environment: Ability to work safely in both outdoor and indoor environments that may include stairs, uneven paths, and secure access areas. The position requires presentation in a tiered theater and frequent visits to the museum public floor (walking on concrete floors, climbing a flight of 35 stairs in the planetarium, working in a low-light-level environment), extensive time standing, intervals of time outdoors in varying environmental conditions, tolerance of high levels of noise, and extensive public speaking, sometimes in noisy environments. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Compensation 
Hourly hiring/flat rate: $26.33 per hour
Schedule: Part-Time, 7-19 hours per week. Applicants should be available to work at the Academy 1-3 days a week, between 9:45am-5:30pm. Weekend, holiday and evening work will be required. We also require attendance at a monthly virtual staff meeting on 2nd Wednesday evening from 5:30 - 7:30pm. This part time position, in addition to their regular weekly shift will also cover vacation, events, and sick time requests.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: This position will close on April 10, 2023 at 9am. Review of applications will begin on March 24, 2023.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please upload your resume and complete the brief online application

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

The California Academy of Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to ensure that all employees and applicants receive equal consideration and treatment, regardless of race, color, creed, gender (including gender identity, status, and gender expression), religion (all aspects of religious beliefs, observance or practice including religious dress or grooming practices), reproductive health decision-making, marital or domestic partner status, age, place of birth, national origin or ancestry, physical, mental or medical disability, height or weight, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship, military service status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.