Outreach Coordinator

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilledOutreach Coordinatorto join its team.

This position is located in Richland, WA.

LIGO Laboratory is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to observing the newly discovered gravitational-wave universe. Jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the LIGO Laboratory operates world-leading observatories near Richland, WA and Baton Rouge, LA as well as R&D centers on the Caltech and MIT campuses. The LIGO Laboratory's mission spans a broad and vibrant array of activities related to gravitational-wave physics and astronomy, including detector operations, R&D toward detector improvements, gravitational-wave astrophysics, observatory operations, and education and public outreach.

For more information, please visit the Laboratory website at www.ligo.caltech.edu

Job Summary

The LIGO Exploration Center (LExC) Outreach Coordinator is the first person the public interacts with as they arrive on the LIGO Hanford Observatory campus. The Outreach Coordinator staffs the LExC front desk, interacts with drop-in and scheduled visitors, and is fluent in the science of gravitational waves, LExC exhibits, and LExC resources such as classrooms and exhibit hall. With exceptional communication abilities, the Outreach Coordinator provides crucial science content to bolster the drop-in visitor experience, as they move through Discovery Hall and experience the new installations and exhibits on gravitational wave science and astronomy.

In addition to interacting with visitors the Outreach Coordinator provides a key support role for LIGO Hanford activities and staff. Including setup and preparation for meetings, conferences and tours, producing outreach materials on the 3D printer and glow forge, and overseeing gift shop merchandise.

Essential Job Duties

• LExC front desk visitor support: Welcome and assist visitors, answer questions from the public on LIGO science and history. Monitor the LExC exhibit hall, answer queries about the exhibits, clarify the nature of the activities, and speak to the science conveyed within those exhibits.
• General Outreach support: Basic exhibit maintenance and support when exhibits break. Report on building concerns to facilities when they can't be handled in-house. Set up and prepare for field trips and other on and offsite outreach activities. Design and printing of brochures and other outreach materials. Training and supporting LHO staff and visitors in using 3D printer and Glowforge. Utilizing the 3D printer and Glowforge to produce materials for various outreach activities and teacher professional development.
• Conference support: Produce and print stickers, fliers, and brochures for the Gravitational Wave Astrophysics booth. Ensure booth is stocked and in good working order. Handle shipping booths to various professional conferences.
• LExC gift shop: Oversee merchandise sales, inventory, and credit card sales. Produce new designs for merchandise.
• Meeting support:
  • Assist groups with scheduling of LExC spaces including LIGO, CE, and LSC member led meetings. Set up and take down meetings (move tables, AV, coffee, etc.).
  • Provide meeting and tech support for participants.
• Visiting LIGO Scientific Collaboration Fellows: Arrange travel and housing for Fellows. Maintain LSC Fellows calendar.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 3 years of experience in Outreach Coordination.
• Experience in public outreach and interaction with the general public regarding physics and astronomy.
• Knowledge of gravitational wave detectors and science derived from observations.
• Experience with 3D printers and Glowforges.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in software tools for business functions, e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Required Documents

• Resume.