Program Manager

About the role

The Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of astronomy-related education and professional development programs offered through the University of California Observatories (UCO). These programs include the Professional Development Program, which trains graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in effective teaching and mentoring techniques; the AstroTech instrumentation summer school for undergraduates and graduate students; and ASTRAL programs, which engage Bay Area college students and faculty members in working with Lick Observatory.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates with teams of instructors to teach program workshops or short courses, including managing the development of agendas, arranging and facilitating meetings, preparation of teaching plans, and coordinating visiting speakers or stakeholders involved in workshops.
• Works with instructional teams to identify facility and meeting room needs.
• Applies knowledge of effective and equitable teaching and mentoring practices to develop training sessions, workshops, and other program components.
• Works in a collaborative manner with others on the program team, which includes other staff, faculty, contractors, and volunteers to manage and share tasks involved in implementing programs or workshops, some at Lick Observatory (Mount Hamilton).
• Applies organizational skills and project management practices to organize details and anticipate problems required for a smooth-running program.
• Serves as point of contact for program participants while program is running.
• Demonstrates good judgment in notifying the Program Director of any participant health and safety issues while program participants are under the auspices of the program.
• Drives a vehicle to program sites.
• Applies project management practices to identify and complete tasks required to announce details of programs and open application, including dates, facilities eligibility, selection criteria, housing, transportation, and description of program experience.
• Establishes connections to and utilizes a vehicle to visit colleges and graduate programs, courses, faculty, clubs, and student organizations to generate interest that translates to diverse and qualified applicant pools.
• Monitors applications, follows up, answers questions, adjusts recruiting strategies as applicant pool is developing.
• Reviews program applications, evaluates qualifications, and makes recommendations.
• Evaluates and monitors logistical aspects of program participant placements, such as lodging, transportation, and funder requirements.
• Coordinates selection committees and processes.
• Participates in program staff meetings and planning, and utilizes existing program management infrastructure.
• Uses administrative skills to perform related miscellaneous tasks.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in astronomy, physics, or a related field and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Thorough knowledge of training, teaching, or mentoring college-level or early career people pursuing STEM degrees.
• Experience participating or assisting with training programs that operate outside of formal education systems.
• Strong interest in astronomy and observatories, and contributing to education and local workforce development for the observatories that taps into the diverse populations.
• Thorough analytical skills to manage application, selection, and placement processes, demonstrating organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Thorough knowledge and skills in formal and informal STEM communication practices.
• Strong collaborative skills.
• Experience effectively managing tasks for multiple concurrent programs/efforts.
• Thorough knowledge and skills with Google suite, including Drive, Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Forms, Sites, and Slides.

Qualifications

• PhD in astronomy or a related field such as engineering, computer science, physics and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Thorough knowledge of applying adult learning theories and what is known about creating effective, equitable learning environments.
• Experience managing training programs that operate outside of formal educational systems.
• Experience at an observatory.
• Experience conducting professional development and knowledge of characteristics of effective professional development.
• Experience with any of UCO/ISEE’s education or workforce development programs, such as the Professional Development Program, AstroTech, the ASTRAL consortium, the Akamai Workforce Initiative, and/or equivalent STEM training programs.
• Experience with WordPress, including using templates.

Skills

• Project management practices.
• Organizational and project management skills.
• Effective communication skills.
• Collaborative skills.
• Knowledge of adult learning theories.
• Knowledge of effective professional development.
• Google suite proficiency.
• WordPress proficiency.

Benefits

Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience. Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Pay

Budgeted Salary: $90,000 - $110,000 / Annually.

Schedule

Full-time, FixedPercentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week.

Employee Classification

Employee Classification: Career appointment.

Union Representation

RP - RESEARCH AND PUBLIC SERVICE PR.