Posting Details
Position Information
| Working Title |
Planetarium Lecturer |
| Department |
Physics, Geology, & Engineering Technology |
| Type of Work Study |
Federal, Institutional |
| Building/Office Location |
SC - Dorothy Westerman Herrmann Science Cente |
| Work Schedule |
Every other Friday 6:00-9:00 p.m.
1 hour meeting during the week
Occasional Saturdays and evenings
Occasional shows during the day
Up to 5 hours per week for other tasks |
| Job Description |
The Planetarium Lecturer position offers an opportunity for
NKU students to gain experience in the world of astronomy and informal education. In this role, students will learn to operate the planetarium and present captivating shows to a variety of audiences, including the general public, private groups, and P-12 school classes.
After training, all planetarium lecturers will be able to give a planetarium show, as both assistant and lecturer, working a public show every 2-3 Friday nights. Additionally, each student must have a specialty, with several options available:
Marketing Coordinator
Major responsibilities include advertising shows on Instagram and Facebook, promoting the planetarium on campus, designing graphics for events, and potentially starting a student planetarium club.
Screenwriter
Major responsibilities include writing scripts for sky tours, constellation lore shows, children's constellation shows, and other live presentations.
Show Developer
Major responsibilities include researching topics for new live shows, gathering related visuals, and collaborating with the scriptwriter and computer programmer to create the show.
Telescope Operator
Major responsibilities include operating telescopes at public events, leading public observing nights, operating telescopes in the observatory, and transporting telescopes to off-campus events.
Portable Planetarium Operator
Major responsibilities include moving equipment (up to 125 lbs), setting up the inflatable dome, and managing excited groups of kids in a small dome.
Audience Specialist
Major responsibilities include presenting hands-on activities at various events and serving as the primary student presenter at public shows.
|
| Primary Responsibilities |
Planetarium Lecturers will:
- Learn to operate the planetarium and present captivating shows to audiences, including the general public, private groups, and P-12 school classes.
- Assist with and present a planetarium show, working a public show every 2-3 Friday nights.
- Attend weekly training meetings.
- Help with occasional off-campus events.
- Lead hands-on astronomy activities.
- Assist with public observatory events by using telescopes.
- Assist with portable planetarium visits (to schools, libraries, museums, etc.).
- Give birthday party planetarium shows on occasional Saturdays.
|
| Qualifications |
Basic Qualifications
- Have taken AST 110 or 115 or have basic astronomical knowledge;
- Interested in astronomy;
- Available to work on Friday nights;
- Able to talk to large groups of people (up to 61);
- Like working with kids;
- Good with computers.
Preferred Qualifications
- Available during the summer;
- Have taken both AST 110 and 115;
- Creative;
- Rising sophomore or junior.
|
| Minimum Education |
Some College |
| Pay Rate |
$15 |
Posting Detail Information
| Requisition Number |
20251893 |
| Job Open Date |
08/20/2025 |
| Job Close Date |
09/08/2025 |
| Quick Link |
https://jobs.nku.edu/postings/15064 |
|
Northern Kentucky University
Aug 21, 2025