Planetarium Presenter & Operator - Student Assistant

University of Alaska; Fairbanks, Northern (AK, KY); Hybrid; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Babula Planetarium at the University of Alaska Fairbanks invites student presenters to help run public shows, operate digital projection systems, and bring Alaska’s sky, science, and stories to life for visitors.

As a Planetarium Presenter & Operator - Student Assistant on the UAF campus, you’ll handle show operation, engage visitors, and collaborate with education staff. Part-time with pay starting at $15.57 per hour, training provided.

Qualifications

• Enrolled UA student (min 6 credits) with GPA 2.0+.
• Excellent verbal communication and comfort speaking to groups.
• Willing to learn new technologies and software; reliable and punctual.

Responsibilities

• Operate planetarium software, projection systems, lighting and audio during shows.
• Run public shows during museum hours and occasional evenings.
• Deliver short scripted live segments at show end (aurora forecasts, Alaska stories).
• Follow opening, closing, and safety procedures.

Skills

Public speaking

Verbal communication

Tech-savvy

Reliability

Education

UA student (min 6 credits)

GPA 2.0 minimum

Tools

Planetarium software

Projection systems

Lighting controls

Audio equipment

Job description

Do you love space, storytelling, science, or sharing big ideas? Join the team at the brand-new Babula Planetarium! We’re looking for enthusiastic student presenters to help run public shows, operate digital projection systems, and bring Alaska’s sky, science, and stories to life for visitors from here and around the world.

The UA Museum of the North is hiring for a Planetarium Presenter & Operator - Student Assistant. The Babula Planetarium offers immersive fulldome shows and live interactive experiences to all visitors to UAMN. We are seeking a student assistant to join the team and help with the presentation of live shows in a fulldome setting. Main duties include:

Show Operation & Presentation

• Operate planetarium software, projection systems, lighting, and audio equipment
• Run public shows during museum hours and occasional evening events
• Deliver short, scripted live segments at the end of shows (e.g. aurora forecasts, local sky features, Alaska-based stories)
• Follow established opening, closing, and safety procedures

Visitor Engagement

• Welcome visitors into the dome and collaborate with Museum Visitor Services
• Answer visitor questions before and after shows with professionalism and enthusiasm
• Support evening programs when scheduled

Technical & Operational Support

• Perform basic troubleshooting (with full training)
• Maintain a clean and orderly dome environment
• Potential for fulldome content and media development for those interested

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with the Planetarium Director on show timing, schedules, and updates
• Participate in regular training sessions to improve narration, presentation, and system operation skills
• Collaboration with Museum Education in providing educational experience in the dome

This position requires strong verbal communication skills. Applicants should be comfortable speaking in front of a group. The ability to learn new technologies and software systems is essential as is punctuality and reliability. A willingness to work independently is also important.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicant should be enrolled as a UA student in a minimum of 6 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0, or a newly enrolled student.

Position Details:

This position is located on the UAF campus in Fairbanks. This is a part‑time, student position with pay starting at $15.57 per hour.

This is a pooled position, and applications are reviewed as needed. Submission of an application does not guarantee review or a job offer.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Emilie Nelson at [e-mail] or [phone].

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (UA) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

* Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On‑Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On‑Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA:(Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska‑Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension). Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or [e-mail]/907-786-1214 or [e-mail].

UAF:(Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus). Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or [e-mail].

UAS:(Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus). Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or [e-mail].