Contract positions & Summer jobs

Position: Bayside Astronomy Program Manager
Type: summer position / 11-12 week contract
Organization: Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association
Location: Position is remote, candidates from anywhere in Ontario can apply, but those with access to accommodations on Northern Bruce Peninsula preferred.

The Organization

The Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association (BPBA) is a volunteer-based registered charity. We build community capacity and commitment to conservation and sustainable economic development while completing concrete environmental projects.

The Northern Bruce Peninsula has one of the highest concentrations of rare species in all of Canada. It is also blessed with some of the darkest skies in Southern Ontario and in 2004 declared itself a dark sky community. A natural night sky is an important natural asset for the region as many biological processes are light-triggered. Excess artificial light interferes with these biological processes and harms wildlife.

The Biosphere Association received a $35,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant in 2011 to encourage our community to preserve the natural night sky by using dark sky friendly lighting practices.

In 2012 we launched Bayside Astronomy Program to celebrate the natural night sky and motivate people to preserve it. We constructed a viewing platform in Lion’s Head, which is the site for the proposed Bayside Astronomy Program. This project was led and funded by BPBA, Bruce County and the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula.

Since it’s inception, Bayside has attracted more than 2500 people every summer from all over the world, which is leading to star gazing becoming a major tourist attraction for the area. We were even the subject of an article in the September 2013 issue of Air Canada’s En Route magazine, which is read by one million people.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chair, Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association and the mentorship of the Dark Sky Committee, the Bayside Astronomy Program Manager will:

1. Deliver a Bayside Astronomy Program to the general public that features summer evening events five nights a week, including:

1. A brief talk (about 20 minutes) covering the stars, planets, and constellations currently visible as well as an item of current interest, such as discovery of exo-planets, current NASA missions, etc. These will be prepared in advance on a weekly basis and approved by the program mentors.
2. A tour of the night sky – featuring the major constellations and planets and viewing of key objects, using the telescope at the viewing platform.

2. Develop a Complementary Conservation program that:

1. Explains the three reasons why it is important to preserve the natural night sky (dark sky), namely protection of wildlife, saving energy, and safeguarding the cultural enjoyment of the wonder of a star studded sky
2. Explains principles of dark sky friendly lighting practices that reduce light domes, unnecessary sky glow, light trespass and wasted energy
3. Discusses the features of dark sky friendly lighting and enables participants from the public to identify dark sky friendly lighting fixtures. (The use of motion sensors, timers, high pressure sodium bulbs will also be discussed.)

3. Develop and Implement a Marketing Program that:

1. Includes weekly articles in the local newspaper of the featured object (e.g. Saturn, the Moon, globular clusters) written in an engaging manner that will create the desire to participate in the program
2. Uses social media to attract participation in the program (e.g. maintain a Facebook page and Twitter presence)
3. Includes liaison with Bruce County Tourism
4. Ensures rack cards are maintained in tourist outlets
5. Assists in fund raising activities such as raffle ticket sales.
6. Communicates with local businesses and the Bruce Peninsula Tourism Association, Tobermory Chamber of Commerce and Lion’s Head Promotion Group in a creative way (e.g. hold a special star gazing session for them) to ensure they are aware of program, refer their clients and have opportunity to provide suggestions to strengthen the program
7. Introduces new outreach activities, such as to tour companies.

Program Delivery

• Locations: Program delivery will be at the Lion’s Head viewing platform on Friday and Saturday evening but also at three area campgrounds during the week.
• Hours: Program Delivery begins at dusk, so set up is 8:30 pm. It concludes at midnight. Marketing activities are carried out during the day at the convenience of the Program Manager.
• Timeframe: The program will be offered during the months of July and August. Employment is for 37.5 hours a week for about 11-12 weeks, so up to 450 hrs total.
• Mentorship and training: will be provided as required.
• Transportation: The successful candidate will require access to a car and a clean driving record. Mileage will be paid at 0.55/km.
• Rate of Pay: $18/ hour
• Accommodations: Access to a cottage or home north of Wiarton preferred but alternate accommodations can be arranged.

If you are interested, please apply by April 30th with your resume, cover letter explaining why you are qualified for this position and a one page educational talk for an audience of all ages on any topic of interest (astronomy preferred but can be anything you are passionate about) to:

Mike Warkentin, Dark Sky Committee Chair m_warkentin@rogers.com Phone: (416) 837-2959.  Please also send a copy to info@bpba.ca

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