State of Connecticut Executive Branch

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.

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

May lead lower level employees as assigned.

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.

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; knowledge of basic computer programming; some knowledge of astronomical telescopes and astrophotography; considerable oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; ability to fabricate repair and maintain electronic mechanical and electrical planetarium equipment and devices; ability to utilize computer software.

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.

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.

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

Classified/Competitive

(17)-Laboratory/Scientific Services

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

(3)-Technician

TC 18

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Planetarium Technician in Salary Group TC 18 approved effective June 23, 1995. (2013 SCOPE Review)

11/29/2013