ASP Career Opportunities

Director of Advancement
Lead Formal Educator
Astronomy Outreach Project Coordinator

Director of Advancment

Summary

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), an international cause-based nonprofit organization headquartered in San Francisco, California with a mission to improve science literacy through engagement of astronomy, seeks a director of advancement. The director of advancement is responsible for overseeing an established comprehensive fundraising program (annual fund, major gifts, planned gifts, corporate/foundation funding and grants), marketing and membership programs that generate restricted and unrestricted funds, promote the Society, and advance its mission. Building on this established program, the director of advancement will take the lead role in formulating a new three-year advancement plan working in conjunction with the executive director, senior staff and an active Board of Directors.

Title: Director of Advancement
Reports to: Executive Director
Salary Range: Competitive, commensurate with experience; benefits included.
Start Date: Feb 1, 2010 or sooner

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees a comprehensive advancement program with responsibilities for the following:
• Fundraising: annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, corporate, foundation (grants) and government relations.
• Marketing: name-branding, public relations and promoting the Society with a goal of recruiting new members and increasing philanthropic gifts.
• Membership: new member acquisition, benefits of association and all related membership services.
• Develop and implement, in conjunction with the executive director, senior staff, and Board members a comprehensive three-year advancement plan to build on the success of the past three-years in order to continue to increase individual unrestricted gifts, corporate, foundation (grants) and government support and begin to develop and implement methods to increase membership.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of benefactor contacts by personally developing relationships with prospects, soliciting prospects and ensuring the efficient and effective use of CEO time on fundraising.
• Monitor and evaluate all advancement activities to ensure goals are achieved.
• Staff the Board of Directors and their Advancement and Membership committees.
• Oversee the creation of all advancement materials and communications (solicitation letters, newsletters, annual reports, event materials, etc.).
• Identify new sources of possible gifts to the Society from individuals, corporations, foundations or governmental sources.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with the primary goal being to utilize these connections for funding opportunities.
• Assist with the Annual Meeting and secure corporate sponsors.
• Manage the advancement office functions including information and data systems, financial systems, recognition, and events.
• Supervise staff as assigned, specifically the membership coordinator and web master.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited four-year college/university, or equivalent preparation & experience.
• Demonstrate at least six years of experience and successful results in individual major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grant writing, government funding along with significant achievements in direct mail appeals.
• Knowledge of planned giving programs and direct mail solicitations for such a program.
• Travel required, both in the San Francisco area and nationally.
• Proven ability in identifying new contacts, cultivating, soliciting, acknowledging and stewarding benefactors is required.
• This is a hands-on, results-oriented position and the individual must demonstrate ability to set and manage multiple priorities and deadlines, work cooperatively and collaboratively as a team member, and produce creative solutions. Must be a self-starter, able to work with minimal support staff, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be well organized.
• An appreciation for astronomy and the importance of science literacy is important.

Preferred Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in advancement at a cause-based membership nonprofit organization.
• A background in astronomy and/or space science.
• Membership in the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
• Certificate in fundraising management or CFRE.

To Apply

Send a resume and cover letter outlining your interest in the position and how your background meets the stated duties and responsibilities to the Executive Director at:

Astronomical Society of the Pacific
390 Ashton Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94109

Or via email to jobpost {at} astrosociety.org

Screening of applicants will begin on November 15, 2009 and will continue until a suitable candidate is found.

The ASP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

Lead Formal Educator

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), a 120-year old international scientific and educational organization, has a full-time position open for a creative and motivated person with formal training in astronomy and science education to work on a number of interesting projects and programs related to K-12 education and teacher training, and to help meet the changing needs of today's K-12 educators with interdisciplinary tools and training.

The ASP prides itself on having an interesting, informal and flexible work environment. It is one of the leading organizations in the U.S. devoted to astronomy education and outreach. For more on the Society's educational programs and history, see its web site at: http://www.astrosociety.org

Job Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate Project ASTRO, a project to team up and train volunteer astronomers and 4th-9th grade teachers to improve science teaching in the classroom, both nationally and locally; includes managing the local Bay Area ASTRO effort and coordinating with more that a dozen other Project ASTRO sites nationally.

2. Edit and manage the web-based quarterly astronomy education newsletter for teachers, called "Universe in the Classroom."

3. Design and conduct custom training programs for school districts that desire hands-on astronomy training and professional development for their teachers.

4. Assist in the development of new formal education initiatives for the Society, including teacher training programs associated with the International Year of Astronomy in 2009 and 2010.

5. Assist in informal education projects as needed and appropriate, in coordination with the informal education staff.

6. Assist in the writing of grant proposals for new education projects.

7. Perform other duties of a similar nature as assigned.

8. Report to the Director of Education.

Required Qualifications:

1. Minimum of a bachelor's degree in education/science education with coursework in science, or a bachelor's in science with coursework in education. Significant formal coursework in and knowledge of astronomy are important.

2. At least three years experience in K-12 classroom teaching, or equivalent.

3. Experience in developing and conducting teacher training workshops, or equivalent.

4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

5. Ability to undertake a range of tasks and organize one's time efficiently.

6. Ability to explain astronomical concepts and ideas in a non-technical, accessible way.

7. Familiarity with and support of hands-on and inquiry-based approaches to science learning.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Having taught astronomy in the classroom.

2. Knowledge of and experience with informal education—that is, education in informal, "free-choice" settings such as museums or public programs.

Salary:

Commensurate with duties and experience.

To Apply:

Please send a letter describing your qualifications for the job, a current resume, a sample science lesson or activity -- preferably in astronomy -- you developed or adapted for educational use (or equivalent evidence of involvement in astronomy education) and the name, telephone number, and e-mail of three work references to:

Formal Educator Position
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
390 Ashton Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112

Or e-mail them to: jobpost {at} astrosociety.org

Screening of applications will begin on August 15, 2009 and will continue until a suitable candidate is found.

The ASP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

Astronomy Outreach Project Coordinator

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), a 120-year old international scientific and educational organization, has a full-time position open for an organized, motivated, and team-oriented person to serve as an Astronomy Outreach Project Coordinator, in particular for a 3-year National Science Foundation-funded project, Sharing the Universe (STU), creating services to support amateur astronomy clubs in their outreach efforts.

The ASP prides itself on having an interesting, informal and flexible work environment. It is one of the leading organizations in the U.S. devoted to astronomy education & outreach.

Job Description:

The Astronomy Outreach Project Coordinator will work with the Sharing the Universe (STU) education team to coordinate activities associated with the development of services for amateur astronomy clubs. This role requires excellent communication skills, organizational ability, and disciplined work habits.

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for collaborating on the development and the execution of a STU communications and dissemination plan, with the objective of creating memorable, compelling communications to effectively inform and encourage amateur astronomers and the public about the availability, use and adoption of STU program services. The variety of avenues for these communications (from magazines and professional organizations, to blogs and online communities, to seminars and teleconferences) means that the Coordinator needs strong, diverse, and creative communication skills.

The position potentially will make use of new media and the latest communication technologies, including social networking, mobile internet devices, and other such avenues. Knowledge in the use of such technologies and communication services is a plus.

The Project Coordinator will collaborate in the development and design of online services to support amateur astronomers doing public outreach and education. The ability to critically and constructively evaluate the team's work products is an asset.

It is expected that there will be room for growth in this position, including possible additional projects, so this is an excellent opportunity for a "go-getter" with broad educational experiences and interests in astronomy outreach and education.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the development and execution of a project communication and dissemination plan, in a team environment.
• Assist in the development of project services and documentation.
• Assist with presentations and demonstrations.
• Coordinate, document, and report on events including project meetings and seminars.
• Communicate progress and coordinate communications among STU team and advisors.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature as assigned.
• Report to the Director of Education.

Qualifications:

• Experience coordinating projects in support of a team, with an emphasis on timely and cost-effective deliverables.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, with experience in document preparation, proofing, and editing.
• Demonstrated ability to manage one's time and budget effectively.
• Ability to plan schedules and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaborate as a strong team member.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Software products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Preferred: Proficiency in the use of new media and communication technologies.
• Preferred: Experience as an amateur astronomer.

Education:

Required: Bachelors Degree or relevant work experience.
Preferred: Bachelors Degree.
Preferred: Some astronomy coursework.

Salary: Commensurate with duties and experience.

To Apply:

Please send a letter describing your qualifications for the job, a current resume, a writing sample from past coordination work, and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of three work references to:

Astronomy Outreach Project Coordinator Position
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
390 Ashton Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112

Or e-mail them to: asilva {at} astrosociety.org (subject line: Astronomy Outreach Project Coordinator Position).

Screening of applications will begin on Dec. 1, 2009 and will continue until a suitable candidate is found.

The ASP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

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