POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Astronomy Assistant
Park Unit: Lassen Volcanic National Park
Location: Mineral, California
Number of positions available: 1
Can this position be fully remote: NO
INTERNSHIP DATES AND LENGTH
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Start Date: 11/03/2024
Flexible Start Date: YES
LIVING AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE:
Weekly Stipend: $565.00
Relocation Allowance: $400.00
CURRENT NUMBER OF APPLICANTS: Under 75 (This posting will close after receiving 75 complete applications or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June, whichever occurs first.)
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Astronomy Assistant will be a valuable member of Lassen’s team to get Lassen Volcanic National Park certified as an International Dark Sky Park. The Astronomy Assistant’s duties and responsibilities will include: working with park staff through the application and certification process, help consolidate lighting retrofit documents, research Dark sky friendly retrofits, outreach and education, monitoring the night sky, and helping put together all these elements into the nomination package. The Astronomy Assistant will also support weekly Night Sky programs as weather conditions and staffing allow.
POSITION IMPACT
Lassen Volcanic National Park naturally evokes volcanoes and geology while also bringing to mind hydrothermal areas, bubbling mudpots, and designated wilderness. Just as stunning however, is Lassen’s night skies. The Astronomy Assistant position will be significant in helping the park get a nomination package to the finish line, weaving together existing elements such as lighting inventories and interpretive Night Sky programs and updating and coordinating sky quality measurements and community outreach support. The multiplier effect for the Astronomy Assistant's efforts in supporting the nomination package will be potentially tremendous, especially to rural gateway communities as visitors come to Lassen for its dark skies and related programming.
DELIVERABLES
- Night Sky programs
- Nomination package and proposal for Lassen Volcanic NP as an International Dark Sky park.
- SQM data collection
- Lighting research for Manzanita Lake/Loomis Plaza
- Community Outreach database for support letters
DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts with course work in astronomy, astrophysics, or physics preferred. Has public communication skills, writing skills, knowledgeable in design, has experience with software like Adobe.
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident (“Green Card holder”). Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required. The applicant must be available to participate for 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
WORK SETTING
This position will be roughly 75% office and 25% field-based. The office-based setting will be in a converted Mission 66 house with 4 offices and one large conference room, kitchen, and bathroom. The offices and park housing units are about 5-8 minutes walking distance. Offices are connected to the DOI network and also have wifi. November and December will likely get snow. The SIP intern will be briefed on weather alerts and possible chain controls for tires.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Yes, park housing is available. It is shared housing with a private room with a park-provided bed, desk, and lamp. Shared living room, dining room, and kitchen with an outdoor space. Intern will need to bring linens. Park will provide bed, desk, and lamp. Kitchen will likely have pots, pans, and plates but intern may decide to bring their own to meet their personal needs. Intern should come prepared for living and driving in winter conditions. No wi-fi. The houses are either a Mission 66 style or duplex. No pets or partners. Housing is located in park headquarters, which is about a 10-15 minute drive to the park and about 35-45 minutes away from the nearest towns with amenities.
KEYWORDS
Night Sky, astronomy, communication, outreach, Dark Sky
IMPORTANT NOTICES
This posting will close after receiving 75 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June, whichever occurs first. Once you begin applying for a position, the application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save and return later to complete it. Applicants can apply for up to five Scientists in Parks Intern positions per winter. You need to complete a separate application for each position in order to be considered. You should receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting an application. Sometimes institutional email filters/settings can redirect or block emails related to the application. We recommend watching spam, junk, and promotional email folders in case your service delivers messages there. Please visit How to Apply for additional resources and information about applying (i.e., learn what materials to have ready for applying, find a worksheet that previews application questions, etc.)
LEARN MORE
https://www.scientistsinparks.org/