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Space Telescope Science Institute · 6 hours ago

Office of Public Outreach Division Head

Baltimore, MD

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$215K/yr - $240K/yr

15+ years exp

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) is NASA’s science operations center for missions including the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. The Division Head of the Office of Public Outreach leads the science communication and public outreach activities for the Institute, overseeing strategic direction, stakeholder engagement, and operational management.

AerospaceEducationNon Profit

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

In conjunction with NASA and STScI leadership, plans and establishes the strategic direction, general policy, scope, standards of performance, and the STScI role for each of the Office of Public Outreach functions

Responsible for developing and maintaining fully functioning, strategic science communication and public outreach programs, products, and services that fulfill the planned roles in support of NASA’s and the Institute’s mission

Through both internal and external partnerships, anticipates emerging trends and needs in strategic science communication and public outreach, and, after proper vetting, ensures new and forward-thinking products and services are developed and implemented in a timely fashion

Leverage advancing technology in bringing science communication and outreach to the public and strategic stakeholders to support Mission and Institute presence

Proactively develops and maintains an effective partnership with NASA including the Science Mission Directorate, NASA Education Office, mission offices, etc

Develops and maintains role as a communication leader and advocate of the Director’s Office and Institute initiatives

Interacts with various and diverse astronomical customers and constituencies to gain feedback on existing products and services and gathers information to enable continuous improvement of those products and services

Acts as a conduit for community input and translates community needs into strategic action in support of the missions

Identifies the resources required to support the OPO Division function of the Institute

Responsible for the hiring, training, direction, and performance of this organizational unit in accordance with AURA Policies and Procedures Manual and STScI procedures. Approximate staff size is 40 exempt, nonexempt, AURA and contractor personnel

Administers the budget of this organizational unit. Plans, projects needs, determines allocations, approves expenditures, and ensures adequacy of the budget

Qualification

Strategic science communicationsScience public outreachStakeholder engagementPeople managementBudgetary developmentScience communication product developmentInterpersonal skillsTechnology leveragingCommunication skillsLeadership abilities

Required

Bachelor's degree, preferably in Communication, Public Relations, astronomy/physics, or other relevant field

Extensive progressively responsible experience (15+ years) in strategic science communications, science writing, science communications product development, and science public outreach

Knowledge of both the strategic and operational aspects of running a science communication function with national/international reach

Demonstrated experience leading science communication and outreach editorial processes that balance newsworthiness, public interest, and scientific relevance

Demonstrated experience developing strategic message frameworks and integrating those messages in a diverse operational context with multiple products and channels

Experience working across broad stakeholder groups to facilitate alignment to core, shared messages and promoting collaborative communication and outreach strategies that optimize audience impact

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

A successful track record of people management responsibility

Experience in strategic planning, budgetary development, and financial management

Extensive knowledge of science communication and public outreach in science

Strategic and visionary leadership abilities

Working knowledge of current technology and leveraging that technology to support science communication and outreach needs

Strong communication skills, both verbal and in writing, including being able to present and communicate ideas effectively

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with leadership, staff, AURA groups, NASA, internal and external astronomical communities, internal and external contractors and various community contacts