State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Planetarium Technician (37.5 Hour) (6291TC)

$29.66-$38.25 Hourly / $2,224.49-$2,868.24 BiWeekly /
$58,059.00-$74,861.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

At Central Connecticut State University this class is accountable for operating a planetarium or observatory, producing planetarium shows, and maintaining and repairing electronic, mechanical, and electrical planetarium equipment.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the director of the observatory and/or planetarium or other employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May lead lower level employees as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Plans, organizes, and produces planetarium shows for students and the public;
  • Repairs, maintains, and operates planetarium and/or observatory equipment (telescopes, optics, etc.);
  • Designs and builds new planetarium and/or observatory equipment;
  • Advises the director on show production;
  • Orders necessary supplies and equipment;
  • Interfaces with contractors and vendors that service the planetarium and/or observatory;
  • Trains and supervises part-time technicians and support staff;
  • Writes programs for storage and retrieval for planetarium shows;
  • Recommends long-range show production schedules;
  • Schedules planetarium shows;
  • Assists with the preparation of proposals for grants, endowments, etc.;
  • Executes live and taped planetarium shows;
  • Interfaces with students, faculty, the public, and the news media on matters relating to the planetarium;
  • Assists with the planning, administration and teaching of outreach programs for school systems as assigned by the director;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply the principles and practices of the operation of an observatory/planetarium;
  • Knowledge of
    • the planning and producing of planetarium shows;
    • basic computer programming;
    • astronomical telescopes and astrophotography;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • fabricate repair and maintain electronic mechanical and electrical planetarium equipment and devices;
    • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Four (4) years of experience in a planetarium or observatory as a technician, observer, or lecturer involving repair and maintenance of planetarium equipment and production of planetarium shows.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in astronomy, the physical sciences, or a related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents may be exposed to some risk of injury from equipment.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(17)-Laboratory/Scientific Services

BARGAINING UNIT

(06)-SERVICE/MAINT (NP-2)

EEO

(3)-Technician

SALARY INFORMATION

TC 18

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Planetarium Technician in Salary Group TC 18 approved effective November 29, 2013. (Reviewed for content, revised to modernize format and add an Acknowledgement section) Final No. 24-033

EFFECTIVE DATE

02/28/2024
CLASS: 6291TC; EST: 8/5/1983; REV: 3/1/2024;