Application Deadline: 30 May 2025

Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Location: Cambridge, MA

Compensation: $119,355 - $155,164 / year

Description

OPENING DATE: 05/01/2025
CLOSING DATE: 5/30/2025
SERIES/GRADE: 0301/13
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: Director's Office
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.

What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
  
  

OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.

SUMMARY
The Regional Director implements the Smithsonian STARS program across a defined geographical region. The Regional Director oversees the work of a multidisciplinary team—including communications, curriculum development, and front-line astronomy outreach staff—and serves as the point person for coordination with state and local education officials, community leaders, and stakeholders. Reporting to the STARS Executive Director, the Regional Director ensures that program delivery is consistent, timely, well-integrated with local needs, and aligned with school calendars and funding parameters.

MAJOR DUTIES

Regional Leadership and Team Oversight
● Lead and manage all Smithsonian STARS program operations within their dedicated geographical region.
● Lead and supervise a cross-functional team, including communications, curriculum development, and front-line astronomy outreach staff, while tracking individual and team progress across key areas such as curriculum rollout, outreach campaigns, professional development, telescope delivery, school engagement, and teacher training.
● Develop and maintain consistent program delivery and educator engagement based on state and local school calendars, budgetary constraints, and delivery timelines.
● Provide monthly progress reports and updates to the Executive Director and participate in cross-regional leadership meetings.
Education, Public Outreach, and Logistics Program Management
● Oversee the regional implementation of educational activities including teacher training, curriculum delivery, and student engagement events.
● Manage public outreach activities and support local visibility efforts through events, media coverage, and community engagement.
● Monitor telescope inventory, kit readiness, and replacement planning across the region.
Budget, Resource, and Compliance Management
● Manage the regional program budget in collaboration with the Executive Director and administrative staff.
● Track resource usage, staff travel, delivery logistics, and associated costs.
● Ensure that program delivery aligns with fiscal constraints, grant requirements, and operational protocols.
● Oversee procurement and vendor coordination as needed for regional deliveries.
Support for Advancement and Program Visibility
● Provide data, success stories, and visuals to the STARS advancement team to support fundraising and public awareness campaigns .
● Contribute to institutional reports, stakeholder briefings, and grant documentation with region-specific performance metrics and narrative insights.
Continuous Improvement and Feedback Integration
● Gather feedback from educators, students, and community partners to inform improvements.
● Analyze delivery, training, and engagement data to recommend adjustments.
● Participate in internal evaluation processes and contribute to impact assessments.
Other Duties as Assigned
● Assist with pilot testing of curriculum, professional development, and delivery tools.
● Contribute to national strategic planning and documentation as needed.
● Participate in onboarding and mentoring of staff in new or expanding regions.


QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Basic Requirements:
Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade 12 level in similar positions. Specialized experience is experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the work of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:
· Expert knowledge of public education programs, school systems, STEM education policy, and informal learning strategies.
· Experience leading multi-functional teams, coordinating logistics, and integrating education programs into public K–12 systems, which includes understanding of state and county education systems, and school calendar constraints.
· Knowledge of budget development, resource tracking, and grant-supported programming
· Skill in program advocacy, and data-driven reporting; and proficiency with project management tools, educational platforms, and digital collaboration systems.
· Proven ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex ideas and information in both written and oral formats to a variety of audiences, including staff, stakeholders, and external partners
· Demonstrated experience in program management, including the ability to plan, execute, and oversee multiple projects while managing timelines, budgets, and resources to achieve successful outcomes. Proficient in coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring program goals are met.

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/