Head of Education, Public Outreach and Communication

The National Solar Observatory (NSO) is home to the world’s most advanced solar telescope and a leader in cutting-edge solar and space weather research. As the Head of Education, Public Outreach & Communications (EPO/C), you will shape how the public, educators, policymakers, and scientific communities connect with NSO’s discoveries. Your work will amplify the impact of the NSO, expand educational opportunities for students nationwide, and strengthen partnerships with organizations that help bring solar science to life.

This is a highly visible and strategic role, and one that ensures NSO’s science inspires, informs, and engages audiences across the country.

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the NSO EPO/C team and guide development of annual plans and budgets in collaboration with NSO leadership.
• Report on program progress and ensure alignment with NSO’s scientific and organizational goals.
• Seek external funding opportunities to grow and sustain EPOC initiatives.

Public Engagement & Communication

• Promote NSO’s scientific and technical achievements through a steady cadence of press releases, blogs, newsletters, social media and AURA highlights.
• Develop relationships with key media to promote news stories and press releases about NSO science.
• Serve as a spokesperson and point-of-contact for media, film crews, and reporters on solar physics and space weather topics.
• Oversee design and implementation of NSO’s website that is modern, easy to navigate and appeals to a range of audiences
• Create engaging website content in collaboration with NSO staff and partners
• Develop and manage NSO’s social media presence to broaden public reach.
• Support undergraduate and graduate student programs (e.g., REU, Akamai) by coordinating advertising, reporting, and partnership efforts.
• Collaborate with partner institutions such as CU Boulder and the University of Hawaii on joint education programs.
• Build partnerships with citizen science programs, amateur astronomers, and planetariums nationwide.
• Develop K–12 mentoring initiatives and create classroom and laboratory materials aligned with educational standards.

Institutional Responsibilities

• Ensure proper management and control of AURA property within assigned areas.
• Comply with government award terms and conditions relevant to this position.
• Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Team and Project Leadership:
  Manage staff and multiple initiatives with efficiency and accountability.
• Digital Fluency:
  Maximize impact through evolving digital platforms and tools.
• Collaboration & Partnership Building:
  Cultivate strong relationships across academia, media, internal teams, and public audiences.
• Strategic Storytelling:
  Translate complex science into compelling narratives for the media and a broad range of audiences.
• Innovation Mindset:
  Leverage creativity and emerging technologies to enhance outreach.

• BSc degree in astronomy, physics or a related field.
• Extensive experience in science communication.
• Experience leading a team of communications/education/outreach professionals.
• Experience with developing and disseminating press releases about science results for media.
• Experience developing and/or implementing science stories, education and public outreach programs for a scientific organization.
• Demonstrated excellence in writing and communications.
• Demonstrated experience creating content for social media platforms.
• Working knowledge of modern solar physics research.
• Proposal writing experience in support of science education and outreach.
• Knowledge of communication and outreach programs at federal agencies (e.g., NSF, NASA) and scientific organizations (e.g., AAS, AGU).
• Understanding of modern web frameworks and tools.
• Experience with graphic design and video editing software.

This position operates in a professional office environment and routinely utilizes standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and copiers. The work environment is generally quiet and may involve working in close proximity to others, depending on the needs of the specific function

The physical demands described here are…