Presentation Specialist
Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
Overview
Lowell Observatory seeks applications for the position of Seasonal Presentation Specialist (PS). The PS is a member of Lowell’s public outreach team and reports to the Presentations Manager.
Responsibilities The PS’s principal responsibility is to deliver programs to groups of guests during regular visitor hours. Groups may range in size from a handful of guests to as many as a few hundred. The majority of presentations will involve the following:
Live presentations in the historic facilities on the Mars Hill Campus
Daytime or evening live programs in the Lowell Universe Theater (LUT)
Dusk and nighttime live programs at the rooftop Dark Sky Planetarium (DSP)
Guided tours of the Observatory’s campus
The PS will maintain familiarity with the night sky, current astronomical events, and general principles of astronomy and planetary science. They will also be familiar with Lowell Observatory history, facilities, current research programs and current programmatic offerings. The PS should be able to deliver programs fluently, enthusiastically and in an engaging manner.
The PS will engage with the outreach department’s Content staff and with Observatory scientific staff as needed, to maintain currency with current astronomical events, to continually expand their knowledge of astronomy and planetary science, in the interest of providing all guests with credible, accurate, and insightful information related to presentations and what is currently visible in the sky. The PS may occasionally be assigned to present at offsite events, either during or outside of regular visitor hours.
From time to time, the PS may also be called upon to carry out additional tasks to keep the visitor programs running smoothly. Such tasks may include, but are not limited to, logistical support in the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center, the campus facilities, crowd and traffic management on busy evenings, snow removal from critical guest areas, and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Ability to speak effectively and comfortably to large groups is essential.
Ability to engagingly present a pre-scripted program is required.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Familiarity with the night sky and general astronomy is a requirement.
Ability and interest in training and mentoring staff.
Comfort with speaking with a diverse group of guests with a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and knowledge bases.
Ability to regularly work evenings and/or on weekends.
Experience and Education Bachelor’s degree in astronomy or a related STEM field is preferred, including substantial college-level STEM coursework, and/or prior experience as a fully trained Lowell Public Program Educator or demonstrable equivalent prior experience.
Working Conditions This position requires long periods of standing, walking, bending, stretching, reaching, climbing, lifting (up to 40 lbs) and speaking. Moving throughout the campus, on sometimes uneven terrain, often in low light. Occasional driving may be necessary. A portion of this position is spent outside. You should expect to work outside for extended periods in summer heat and winter temperatures that frequently drop below freezing.
Position Details
Status: Part-Time, Hourly
Hours: 20-29 hours per week
Benefit Eligible: See below*
Compensation: $21.89/hr
FLSA Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Application Process Please send the following documents to jobs@lowell.edu:
Lowell Application ( www.lowell.edu/careers )
Letter of interest addressing your qualifications
Phone numbers and e-mail addresses of three professional references
The deadline to apply is 4/14/2026.
Employment is subject to passing a background check.
Benefits
Part Time employees will receive sick time accrual according to AZ state law.
After 6 months of employment, part time employees are eligible to participate in a 5% match if they contribute 5% or more to their retirement plan.
2 paid personal days per year.
EEO Statement Lowell Observatory is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. Lowell Observatory has always been, and always will be, committed to diversity and inclusion. We seek individuals from all backgrounds to join our teams, and we encourage our employees to bring their authentic, original, and best selves to work.
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Responsibilities The PS’s principal responsibility is to deliver programs to groups of guests during regular visitor hours. Groups may range in size from a handful of guests to as many as a few hundred. The majority of presentations will involve the following:
Live presentations in the historic facilities on the Mars Hill Campus
Daytime or evening live programs in the Lowell Universe Theater (LUT)
Dusk and nighttime live programs at the rooftop Dark Sky Planetarium (DSP)
Guided tours of the Observatory’s campus
The PS will maintain familiarity with the night sky, current astronomical events, and general principles of astronomy and planetary science. They will also be familiar with Lowell Observatory history, facilities, current research programs and current programmatic offerings. The PS should be able to deliver programs fluently, enthusiastically and in an engaging manner.
The PS will engage with the outreach department’s Content staff and with Observatory scientific staff as needed, to maintain currency with current astronomical events, to continually expand their knowledge of astronomy and planetary science, in the interest of providing all guests with credible, accurate, and insightful information related to presentations and what is currently visible in the sky. The PS may occasionally be assigned to present at offsite events, either during or outside of regular visitor hours.
From time to time, the PS may also be called upon to carry out additional tasks to keep the visitor programs running smoothly. Such tasks may include, but are not limited to, logistical support in the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center, the campus facilities, crowd and traffic management on busy evenings, snow removal from critical guest areas, and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Ability to speak effectively and comfortably to large groups is essential.
Ability to engagingly present a pre-scripted program is required.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Familiarity with the night sky and general astronomy is a requirement.
Ability and interest in training and mentoring staff.
Comfort with speaking with a diverse group of guests with a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and knowledge bases.
Ability to regularly work evenings and/or on weekends.
Experience and Education Bachelor’s degree in astronomy or a related STEM field is preferred, including substantial college-level STEM coursework, and/or prior experience as a fully trained Lowell Public Program Educator or demonstrable equivalent prior experience.
Working Conditions This position requires long periods of standing, walking, bending, stretching, reaching, climbing, lifting (up to 40 lbs) and speaking. Moving throughout the campus, on sometimes uneven terrain, often in low light. Occasional driving may be necessary. A portion of this position is spent outside. You should expect to work outside for extended periods in summer heat and winter temperatures that frequently drop below freezing.
Position Details
Status: Part-Time, Hourly
Hours: 20-29 hours per week
Benefit Eligible: See below*
Compensation: $21.89/hr
FLSA Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Application Process Please send the following documents to jobs@lowell.edu:
Lowell Application ( www.lowell.edu/careers )
Letter of interest addressing your qualifications
Phone numbers and e-mail addresses of three professional references
The deadline to apply is 4/14/2026.
Employment is subject to passing a background check.
Benefits
Part Time employees will receive sick time accrual according to AZ state law.
After 6 months of employment, part time employees are eligible to participate in a 5% match if they contribute 5% or more to their retirement plan.
2 paid personal days per year.
EEO Statement Lowell Observatory is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. Lowell Observatory has always been, and always will be, committed to diversity and inclusion. We seek individuals from all backgrounds to join our teams, and we encourage our employees to bring their authentic, original, and best selves to work.
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