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Form of workAbout the Opportunity:
The Presenter I (one) position is responsible for conducting informal science education programs with museum guests. These programs could include informal science education programs for all-age audiences, theater programs, programs for young children and their caregivers, virtual programs, conversations with guests centered around natural history specimens and objects, and large-scale planetarium programs using a computer interface to project planetarium visuals.
The Presenter I is comfortable engaging with guests and presenting on any topic relevant to the Academy and its mission. Presenters may also contribute to the development of content for presentations and activities. They may also be called upon to operate telescopes and guide astronomical viewing sessions for evening and daytime programs. The reporting relationship will depend on the department structure. Position status will vary from full-time or part-time with scheduled hours based on department needs.
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 are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy.
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.
This position is based in San Francisco, California. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 1021. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination 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. The California Academy of Sciences is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, to protect its employees, volunteers and guests.
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.
- May provide natural history, science and sustainability/conservation information for guests of all ages
- May provide astronomy and science information for guests of all ages
- Use appropriate interpretive techniques to inspire wonder and guests to action
- 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
- 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 regulationsand complete all HR-assigned training.
- Support the Academy's mission, vision, and division-wide initiatives
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned
Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:
Experience and Education:
- At least 1 year of public speaking experience
- Coursework, training, or background in one or more of the following fields: natural or physical science, education (formal or informal), natural history interpretation, science communication, performing arts, or other relevant fields
- Basic astronomy knowledge is required, extensive knowledge is preferred
- Planetarium experience, prior work with school groups, and/or telescope operation - Desirable
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent public speaking skills
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Adapt and maintain flexibility in changing and fast-paced environments
- Maintain a high level of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity while performing repetitive programs regularly
- Make complicated science concepts accessible to general audiences while maintaining scientific accuracy
- Work well independently as well as in teams
- Accept feedback graciously and integrate it into practice as needed
- Effectively work on diverse teams and with a diverse range of people
- 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
- Fundamental knowledge of best practices in interpretation preferred
- Fluency in a second language preferred
- Fundamental knowledge of science, natural history, and/or conservation topics preferred
Physical Environment: 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.
- Ability to lift and transport 25-50 lbs across concrete and uneven floors.
- Ability to perform repetitive motions 25-50% of the time.
- Ability to work safely in both outdoor and indoor environments that may include stairs, uneven paths, bark, and secure access areas.
- The position requires frequent visits to the museum's public floor and presentations in a tiered theater.
- 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, crowded environments.
Schedule: Part-time, 12-15 hours per week. Applicants should be available to work at the Academy 2 days a week, between 9:45am-5:15pm or 5:30pm-10:15pm. Weekend, holiday, and evening work will be required. We also require attendance at a monthly hybrid staff meeting on 2nd Wednesday from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. This part-time position can add additional hours to their regular weekly hours to cover vacation, evening events, and sick time requests.
Regularly scheduled shifts are Thursday evenings 5:30pm-10:15pm and Saturdays 9:45am-5:15pm
APPLICATION DEADLINE: This position will close on January 25, 2024 at 9 pm. Review of applications will begin on January 12, 2024.
Please upload your resume, optional cover letter, 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).
We are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of any characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement here.
- Pay Type Hourly
- Employment Indicator Regular PT
- Hiring Rate $26.33
