Position Description:

Position Summary

At Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) we collaborate with the scientific community to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public. Our expertise focuses on continually improving research and development, user facilities, management and operations, technology incubation, and community engagement through workshop and conference planning.

In addition to its scientific work, AUI is committed to outreach and education. AUI offers a wide range of programs and resources for students, teachers, and the general public, including tours, lectures, and online resources.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) vision is  “Astronomy  for  a  Better World”. The OAD has 11 regional offices, including one in North America. The mission of the OAD  and the North American ROAD (NA-ROAD) is to help further the use of astronomy, including its practitioners, skills and infrastructures, as a tool for development by mobilizing the human and financial resources necessary in order to realize the field’s scientific, technological and cultural benefits to society. For more information about the NA-ROAD, please visit: https://naroad.astro4dev.org/ 

At AUI ,we are seeking a Program Coordinator for NA-ROAD. The Coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the NA-ROAD office including overseeing projects, fostering partnerships, developing project communications, and supporting fundraising efforts.  This role is crucial in building and sustaining relationships within the astronomy community and with the underserved communities in science and STEM (such as: indigenous, Latinos, African Americans, other). The Coordinator will also lead communication strategies to enhance brand awareness and contribute to the financial sustainability of NA-ROAD. The job will be in the DMV area or remote.​     ​​ 

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​​​This appointment will be awarded initially for 1 year and renewable on an annual basis for a second and third year. The location for the position will be in Northern Virginia. A remote workstation within the United States may be considered for candidates with sufficient experience who can work independently while still communicating effectively with the team. ​​​​     ​​ 

What You Will be Doing:

Project Coordination: 

• Coordinate existing NA-ROAD projects and activities. 

• Attend the Governing Council (GC) meetings and provide progress updates. 

• Initiate new programs that align with the NA-ROAD Strategic Plan. 

• Ensure efficient completion of activities by maintaining a sustained day-to-day focus. 

• Coordinate and/or support other activities as needed and directed by the GC. 

Partnership Development: 

• Sustain existing partnerships with various organizations to amplify NA-ROAD's impact and brand recognition. 

• Build prospective partnerships through networking when attending conferences and through approved social media platforms, increasing the number of NA-ROAD project activities and partners across North America annually. 

• Maintain close connections with partner organizations via robust partnerships and collaborative projects. 

Fundraising and Financial Sustainability: 

• Collaborate with the GC to identify and secure external funding for current and future projects. 

• Develop relationships with existing and potential donors, aiming for an annual increase in external funding of at least $100K. 

• Build an individual donor base and increase active relationships with Foundations and donors. 

• Work towards establishing NA-ROAD as a self-sustaining 501(c)3 non-profit entity by the end of Year 3. 

Communication Strategy: 

• Contribute to the development and implementation of a sustainable communications strategy. 

• Increase the number of subscribers to the NA-ROAD mailing list by at least 20% annually. 

• Establish a regular cadence of communications with stakeholders, including monthly e-newsletters and social media. 

​Work Environment

Work is mission driven, team oriented and typically performed in an office setting. Ability to work in a high-pressure environment with multiple, competing deadlines. Will need to be able to be seated at a computer for extended periods of time. Willingness to travel as needed for meetings and project coordination. 

Who You Are:

• You have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required.  
• Master’s degree or higher preferred.
• You have at least 3 years of experience with non-profit or similar organizations and 3 years of experience in fundraising, including grant writing and management.
• You have experience supporting fundraising efforts and managing multiple projects and demonstrated ability to work independently and manage changing priorities.

Competency Summary

• Knowledge of astronomy and established connections within the astronomy community. 
• Previous experience working with underrepresented communities in STEM. 
• Previous experience with Social Media platform management, including Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube,  
• English speaking; prefer candidate who also speaks Spanish and/or French. 
• Strong project coordination and project management experience. 
• Proficiency in or ability to learn Office 365 tools, project management tools, and budgeting tools. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills. 
• Ability to multitask.  

Safety Sensitive

The selected candidate must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment/pre-placement background check, and reference check. Failure to pass the background and reference check will disqualify the candidate from employment consideration for a period of six months from the results are communicated to the candidate.

Total Rewards:

AUI offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees’ overall well-being and career growth.

Compensation

AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance.

The hourly rate for this role is $28.85 per hour, which equates to $60,000 per year. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions. 

Benefits:

AUI benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

Application Instructions:

Select the “Apply” button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

EEO Statement:  

We are an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. Women, Minorities, Vietnam-Era Veterans, Disabled Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. We will monitor and review the recruitment process to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly, without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law. There will be no discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of mental or physical disability. Further, we will take affirmative action to employ, advance in employment, and otherwise treat qualified handicapped individuals, qualified disabled veterans, and veterans of the Vietnam Era without discrimination based on their disability or veteran’s status in all employment practices. We will select the best-qualified candidate to perform the duties of an available position and will give first consideration to present employees whenever practical. To view our complete statement and additional information, please visit http://jobs.jobvite.com/nrao/jobs.  If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request to [email protected].  

AUI is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/D/V)

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