Lead Planetarium Assistant

Central Texas College; Killeen (TX); On-site; USD 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Texas College seeks a Planetarium Assistant to greet visitors, take reservations, and operate show equipment for the Mayborn Science Theater. The role requires a high school diploma or GED with clerical experience, or a certificate/degree with relevant experience, plus audio/visual and public speaking skills.

Responsibilities include cashier duties, scheduling, leading demonstrations, and coordinating with staff to ensure safety and smooth operations for all shows and events.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED or certificate/degree with relevant clerical experience.
• Audio/visual, public speaking, sales or customer service experience preferred.
• Supervisory experience helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Console Operator for private groups and perform live Star Shows and Planet Tours.
• Handle tickets, reservations, and scheduling; track income and attendance.
• Perform demonstrations and assist with science lessons when required.
• Ensure safety, comfort and cleanliness of the theater before, during, and after shows.
• Troubleshoot routine issues and communicate problems to management.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Public speaking

Teamwork

Sales or customer service experience

Education

High School diploma or GED

Certificate/degree (30 credit hours)

Tools

Microsoft Windows

Outlook

Word

Excel

Access

PowerPoint

Job description

Planetarium assistants serve as ushers, cashiers, and equipment operators for the Mayborn Science Theater and provide administrative support to the staff.High School diploma or GED required with four years wage earning clerical experience, ORCertificate/degree(30 credit hours) and one year wage earning clerical experience required. Audio/visual, public speaking, sales or customer service experience required. Supervisory experience is helpful but not required.

• Exceptional customer service skills with a track record of exceeding expectations.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to convey elementary astronomy to visitors and answer questions about astronomy from theater audiences.
• Ability to develop and maintain a working knowledge of Planetarium programs, schedules and general operations.
• Ability to develop and maintain a working knowledge of general astronomy, the night sky, and current space exploration efforts.
• Working knowledge of computers, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point.
• Ability to speak comfortably in front of large audiences over a microphone.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently, as the situation dictates.

• Serves as primary Console Operator for private groups and performs live Star Shows and Planet Tours for public and private shows.
• Serves as cashier as needed; accepts reservations and conducts ticket sales for public, school and group shows; schedules and tracks them in department calendar system, POS, and outlook calendars records; records income and attendance.
• Performs Science Demonstrations and assists with science lessons when required. Leads hands-on activities for public and private groups.
• Teams up with management and other assistants to ensure safety, comfort, and convenience for all visitors.
• Keeps theater area inside and out clean before, during, and after shows. Ensures vacuuming, dusting, glass cleaning, and trash are taken care of on each shift.
• Performs routine maintenance and simple troubleshooting; records technical issues in maintenance log; assists with other tasks required.
• Communicates any problems, questions or concerns to the Planetarium Manager or Director.
• Answers phone, makes deposits, types correspondence, generates reports, does other administrative tasks assigned.
• Serves as usher for the theater shows and assists with Special Events and production tasks as needed. Serves as main point of contact for birthday reservations.
• Other duties as assigned.