Planetarium Manager

The University of Alaska Museum of the North is seeking a Planetarium Manager to help open a brand new facility. Plan and shape the future of UAMN's planetarium. This is a unique opportunity to develop planetarium programs from the ground up and share the joys of space science. The UAMN team is a tight-knit, hardworking one; please consider joining us!

The Planetarium Manager is responsible for general operations of the soon-to-open UAMN Planetarium. This will include determining content, planning programs, delivering shows, hiring and training staff, and budget and asset planning. The UA Museum of the North is made up of a multi-talented group of professionals who work hard to make UAMN the premier institution it is. The museum sees around 90,000 visitors annually, and the Planetarium Manager will help enrich the visitor experience with a host of thoughtfully selected and well presented shows. 

To be successful in this position, experience in a planetarium setting is a must. Ability to successfully lead a small staff of part-time and student employees is also important. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently but also function in a team setting. Flexibility and the ability to creatively problem solve are necessary. Required technical skills include knowledge of planetarium software such as Sky-Skan DigitalSky Dark Matter and/or OpenSpace packages as well as the ability to manage digital content and to troubleshoot and perform day-to-day computer operations. Video editing skills for full dome formatting preferred.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and four years progressively responsible experience relevant to the program specialty, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required. A Master's is preferred. Supervisory/management experience required. Demonstrated teaching and/or informal science presentation skills are required. Planetarium experience.

Preferred: Four to five years experience in a planetarium setting. Demonstrated success in show production, show delivery, staff training, and management. Experience using Sky-Skan or comparable planetarium software is preferred.

Position Details:

This position is located on the UAF campus in Fairbanks. This is a full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 80, based on education and experience.

Please submit a resume and cover letter as well as names and contact information for three professional references. To ensure consideration, please apply on or before April 30, 2025. The position is open until filled. 

To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Emilie Nelson, Museum HR Coordinator, at emilie.nelson@alaska.edu or (907) 474 6443.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.