Summary
Description
Why This Role Matters
The National Solar Observatory (NSO) is home to the world’s most advanced solar telescope and a leader in cutting-edge solar and space weather research. As the Head of Education, Public Outreach & Communications (EPO/C), you will shape how the public, educators, policymakers, and scientific communities connect with NSO’s discoveries. Your work will amplify the impact of the NSO, expand educational opportunities for students nationwide, and strengthen partnerships with organizations that help bring solar science to life. This is a highly visible and strategic role, and one that ensures NSO’s science inspires, informs, and engages audiences across the country.
What You’ll Do
Program Leadership & Strategy
- Lead the NSO EPO/C team and guide development of annual plans and budgets in collaboration with NSO leadership.
- Report on program progress and ensure alignment with NSO’s scientific and organizational goals.
- Seek external funding opportunities to grow and sustain EPOC initiatives.
Public Engagement & Communication
- Promote NSO’s scientific and technical achievements through a steady cadence of press releases, blogs, newsletters, social media and AURA highlights.
- Develop relationships with key media to promote news stories and press releases about NSO science.
- Serve as a spokesperson and point-of-contact for media, film crews, and reporters on solar physics and space weather topics.
- Oversee design and implementation of NSO’s website that is modern, easy to navigate and appeals to a range of audiences
- Create engaging website content in collaboration with NSO staff and partners
- Develop and manage NSO’s social media presence to broaden public reach.
Education & Mentorship
- Support undergraduate and graduate student programs (e.g., REU, Akamai) by coordinating advertising, reporting, and partnership efforts.
- Collaborate with partner institutions such as CU Boulder and the University of Hawaii on joint education programs.
- Build partnerships with citizen science programs, amateur astronomers, and planetariums nationwide.
- Develop K–12 mentoring initiatives and create classroom and laboratory materials aligned with educational standards.
Institutional Responsibilities
- Ensure proper management and control of AURA property within assigned areas.
- Comply with government award terms and conditions relevant to this position.
- Other duties as assigned.
Core Competencies
- Team and Project Leadership: Manage staff and multiple initiatives with efficiency and accountability.
- Digital Fluency: Maximize impact through evolving digital platforms and tools.
- Collaboration & Partnership Building: Cultivate strong relationships across academia, media, internal teams, and public audiences.
- Strategic Storytelling: Translate complex science into compelling narratives for the media and a broad range of audiences.
- Innovation Mindset: Leverage creativity and emerging technologies to enhance outreach.
Requirements
- BSc degree in astronomy, physics or a related field.
- Extensive experience in science communication.
- Experience leading a team of communications/education/outreach professionals.
- Experience with developing and disseminating press releases about science results for media.
- Experience developing and/or implementing science stories, education and public outreach programs for a scientific organization.
- Demonstrated excellence in writing and communications.
- Demonstrated experience creating content for social media platforms.
Desired
- Working knowledge of modern solar physics research.
- Proposal writing experience in support of science education and outreach.
- Knowledge of communication and outreach programs at federal agencies (e.g., NSF, NASA) and scientific organizations (e.g., AAS, AGU).
- Understanding of modern web frameworks and tools.
- Experience with graphic design and video editing software.
Work Environment
This position operates in a professional office environment and routinely utilizes standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and copiers. The work environment is generally quiet and may involve working in close proximity to others, depending on the needs of the specific function
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
- Occasional need to move about inside the office environment to access files, office tools, attendance in a meeting room, etc.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity tools that require fine motor skills, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer printer, etc.
- May occasionally need to position self to maintain computer and related tools.
- Seldomly needed to move objects up to 10 pounds.
- Constant communication with other individuals. Must be able to discern and exchange information as appropriate to the situation.
- Constant need to distinguish, discern, and identify a variety of objects and fine details with accuracy.
- This position may require occasional travel to/from the United States Mainland.
- Occasional work at 10,000’ elevation, sometimes during inclement weather
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required by personnel so classified. This Institute promotes Equal Employment Opportunity workplace that includes reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified, disabled applicants and employees.
Why NSO?
At the National Solar Observatory, you’ll join a mission-driven community working at the frontier of solar science. Our teams are dedicated to understanding the Sun in ways that protect technology, enhance scientific discovery, and inspire global audiences. NSO offers a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where curiosity is encouraged, varied perspectives are valued, and employees can make a tangible impact on science and society. Here, you will have the opportunity to grow your career, lead innovative outreach programs, and help shape the national conversation around solar physics and space weather.
Salary
Salary range: $125,000 – $138,000. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications, and experience.
AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at Benefits by Location – Aura Human Resources
How to Apply
If you’re excited to lead education, public outreach and communications at one of the world’s premier observatories, we’d love to hear from you. Apply by January 31, 2025, for priority consideration. This position will remain open until filled. Submit your CV and cover letter (PDF format preferred) via our application system. Please name your files in the format: Lastname_Docname.pdf.
Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance at talent@aura-astronomy.org.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
