Career Center

Job Description

Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory is an inholding within the boundaries of Radnor Lake State Park and is home to the historic Seyfert Telescope. The facility provides a variety of STEM educational opportunities and summer science camps. It also hosts teacher workshops, lectures, field trips, celestial viewings, and general tours to achieve its overarching mission to bring the excitement of astronomy and physics to students and the public throughout the middle TN region. Public events such as Bluebird on the Mountain concerts and private rental events also make use of this unique property.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Must be able to travel to Dyer Observatory in Brentwood, TN, which is about 20 minutes south of the main Vanderbilt University campus.
• The job often requires setup/tear-down for a wide variety of events.
• Often used on weekends, but some events will be during the week. Most events occur in the afternoon or evening. Some events may be cancelled the day of and rescheduled for the following day.
• Shifts of up to 12 hours are needed for large events, such as Bluebird concerts.
• May have multiple weekends in a row for events.
• The typical event season is March through November but may extend into December.
• Work shift timeline can be very dynamic, as in one might be working diligently for extended periods with downtime in between where one is on call (such as Bluebird) or shifts where workflow is evenly paced throughout (short shifts where we set up for private events).
• Personnel should be willing to learn about mechanical setup, including sound and light needs.
• Knowledge/expertise in sound/light equipment setup is not required but is preferred.
• Work is often outdoors, so a tolerance of the cold or the heat and humidity from Tennessee summers is a must. Breaks indoors will be provided as needed by supervisor.
• Due to working in grass and wooded areas often, ticks and chiggers will be present but insect repellant will be provided.
• Personnel might engage with the public/patrons/clients, so a tidy appearance with a professional attitude/disposition is a must.
• Required to have good teamwork skills.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Physical labor is required and the ability to lift and load 75 lbs at a time.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.