VIEW TICKET AND PASSES
The Snow King Observatory and Planetarium Manager reports to the Director and provides oversight of all operations associated with the Snow King Observatory and Planetarium. This unique facility is a for-profit, public outreach, educational facility, with a one-meter Planewave telescope, 24-foot AstroHaven Dome, 8-meter Sptiz Planetarium Dome, 45-person classroom/theater, and educational gallery. The facility is located at 8,000 ft atop the Snow King Mountain Resort in Jackson, Wyoming, with amazing views of the Teton mountain range and is accessed via a short gondola ride. The Operations Manager of this facility may serve multiple functions including public educator, researcher, facility operator, and staff educator. The facility hosts events ranging from school class visits, corporate gatherings, weddings, astrophotography, to normal public educational operations.
Snow King Mountain is seeking an exceptional, well-rounded individual with a passion for astronomy, experience managing observatory and/or planetarium operations, or experience maintaining and operating observatory and planetarium equipment. Critical to this position is a love for educating, entertaining, and interacting with the general public. This position will report to the Director of the Observatory and Planetarium and will work alongside the facility team to achieve objectives.
This position is responsible for ensuring the overall success of the Snow King Mountain Observatory and Planetarium including the following:
• Operation and maintenance of the one-meter Planewave Telescope and associated equipment.
• Astrophotography, remote telescope rental operations, astronomy research programs.
• Planetarium operations and equipment maintenance.
• Public educational programs, tours, event space rentals, and school visits.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Assist with Planetarium and Observatory operations including special events, coordination with lift operations and mountain operations, custodial operations, care and maintenance for Telescope/Dome/Planetarium, guest service, product sales and ticketing, retail sales, research efforts, leasing of telescope time, astro-photography programs, school programs, and all other components of managing the facility.
• Management of IT resources at the facility.
• Enjoys “pitching in” whenever and wherever assistance is needed. Conducts and shows a high level of professionalism. Values our culture, our community, and ensures that guests and employees have a fun, safe, and memorable experience.
• Has a passion for interacting with the public and serving as an educator in the field of astronomy.
• Helps to manage the Observatory and Planetarium operations to produce exceptional guest and employee experiences.
• Complete proper paperwork and reporting as required by operations, human resources and legal regulations are done in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ensure facilities are being maintained and operated in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, and kept clean and presentable on a daily basis.
• Handle all customer and miscellaneous situations in a professional and timely manner.
• Other duties as assigned.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
Skills and Qualifications
• Passion for astronomy.
• Information Technology experience as applicable to observatory operations.
• Knowledge of Observatory and/or Planetarium Operations.
• Strong initiative and the ability to work independently.
• Must maintain a well-groomed and professional appearance.
• Must enjoy serving people and having fun with top notch customer service skills!
• Have excellent communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• AI and/or robotics experience and/or education.
• Education and/or Experience: o Master’s degree, PHD, or equivalent education and work experience combination. o Minimum of five years’ experience in field or equivalent combination of education and experience. This position is based at the Snow King Observatory and Planetarium in Jackson, Wy. It will require early mornings / late nights and very long days. The position is expected to be present regularly supervising Planetarium and Observatory operations and minimizing staffing expenses.
• Working in a variety of outdoor conditions with extreme temperature changes.
• Long hours on occasion.
• This position will be required to work weekends regularly and holidays.
• Time off during off seasons. Competitive salary will be paid based upon experience.
