Student Employee, Planetarium Fieldtrip Assistant

Student Employee, Planetarium Fieldtrip Assistant

Inside Higher Ed

This role supports the daily operations, educational programs, and public events of the Trackman Planetarium at JJC during peak fieldtrip season. The student position plays a key role in creating engaging, educational, and accessible astronomy experiences for visitors of all ages.

• Greet and usher visitors to JJC and the Trackman Planetarium for events and field trips.
• Assist in the coordination and facilitation of planetarium shows, educational programming, community outreach, in‑house science demonstrations, camps, and classes.
• Supervise, guide, and direct school‑age children, educators, and chaperones throughout scheduled field trip events, ensuring timely transitions between activities.
• Engage audiences on topics in astronomy, physics, and aerospace.
• Present the history of JJC’s Cronin Schoolhouse with field trip visitors.
• Aids in researching planetarium show content and imagery, presenting lectures, and hands‑on demonstrations.
• Coordinate social media efforts to increase outreach and awareness of Planetarium events. Create promotional items and visual displays, flyers, TV promos, brochures, bulletin boards, and other materials to market events.
• Research, summarize, and catalog content for new full dome films.
• Maintains cleanliness and safety in the Planetarium environment.
• Attend training and become familiar with the Planetarium digital projection system, including audio, video, and full dome software.
• Assist the Planetarium Coordinator in use of the Traveling Trackman Planetarium at local schools. Including set up/break down, greeting, seating, and transitioning of groups throughout the scheduled event.
• Track and report data of Planetarium events and attendance throughout the semester.
• Reserve booking of the dome for public shows, field trips, and other events via 25
  
  Live.
• Collaborate with other departments and promote campus‑wide partnerships.
• Maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community.
• Perform related other duties as assigned.

• GPA of 2.0 or above.
• Must be enrolled at JJC in at least 6 credit hours.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Interest in related fields of Astronomy, Science, and/or Education.
• Availability on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.
• Must be able to work well with K‑12 students, adults with special needs, and diverse community members.
• Must be able to communicate effectively. Strong public speaking, verbal, written, and customer service skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Attentiveness to detail, excellent organizational skills, initiative, and multitasking.
• Demonstrate professionalism with commitment to JJC’s mission and Core Values.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community, displaying cultural competence as well as emotional intelligence.

• Willingness to work a flexible schedule.
• Ability to travel to off‑campus locations as needed. Valid Driver's License and reliable transportation.
• Experience with classroom or group management.
• English and Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency. Demonstrated multicultural competence.

• Office and classroom clean‑up will require the ability to kneel on the floor and/or bend at the waist.
• Ability to lift and move equipment.
• Ability to navigate indoor and outdoor areas while leading groups.

The Planetarium environment may be dark ws may include flashing lights, motion visuals, and immersive sound effects that could affect individuals with light or motion sensitivity. Appropriate accommodations will be provided as needed.

M/W/F during the spring semester. This is a student employee position that works around your class schedule. May work up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. During summer and holiday breaks (Winter/Spring), may work up to 28 hours per week with supervisor approval.

Position type
:
Part‑time, 15 hours per week. Non‑exempt. Hiring range $15.00 per hour. FWS Eligible.

Reporting to:
Planetarium Outreach Coordinator, Center for Continuing Education, Academic Affairs, Inside Higher Ed.