Assistant Community Coordinator, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA

Posted October 13, 2021

Description:

The Wolbach Library is seeking an Assistant Community Coordinator to engage with the public about an important ongoing digitization and transcription effort called Project PHaEDRA: Preserving Harvard’s Early Data and Research in Astronomy. The project is allowing the work of early astronomers and Harvard’s Women Computers to be made searchable on ADS and usable online. The Assistant Community Coordinator will help promote Project PHaEDRA, as well as help maintain the project’s two volunteer transcription platforms: The Zooniverse and The Smithsonian Transcription Center.

14 hours/week; $21/hour

Roles & Responsibilities

Write a monthly newsletter for project volunteers
Participate in monthly Project PHaEDRA virtual office hours
Answer volunteers questions on the Zooniverse talk board
Behind-the-scenes maintenance of the initiatives on the Zooniverse and the Smithsonian Transcription Center
Online outreach and promotion of the project using Twitter and Instagram
Work independently as well as in collaboration with staff to create original engaging content that aligns with Wolbach Library’s mission and goals
Support the day-to-day operations of the Wolbach Library
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Skills

Superior writing ability with demonstrated creativity
Demonstrated written communication skills
Ability to develop unique, creative, and engaging content
Experience with a variety of social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, etc)
Computer literacy necessary
Organized and detail-oriented
Ability to work as a team member and independently

Preferred Qualifications

Interest in basic astronomical scientific concepts and current events and the ability to translate these ideas and topics to a diverse audience
A passion and a curiosity for astronomy and/or the history of astronomy
Knowledge of (or interest in) the history of Harvard College Observatory (photographic glass plates, women computers, etc)
Experience in web content management is preferred
Willingness to learn scripting languages like Python to help with data analysis

How to apply:

To express interest, please send resume and a brief cover letter to: [email protected]

Note:

During the current period of Covid-19 related restrictions, this position may start as a remote (or partly remote) position, with transition to onsite in Cambridge, Massachusetts when the office reopens. We continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 and lifting of restrictions. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process. We will be conducting interviews virtually for selected candidates until further notice.

Harvard will require COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members who will have any on-campus presence. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement and exceptions may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/.