The Kitt Peak Experience… Like no other
Docent Program
Duties:
Docents are vital to the success of Kitt Peak’s public outreach efforts. Docents lead public tours of telescopes and interpret the science of astronomy for visitors. They also assist guests in the Visitor Center, helping them interact with the exhibits to insure an engaging and educational visit. Hands-on demonstrations are conducted by the docents to illustrate concepts in astronomy. Other docent duties include hosting school groups at Kitt Peak, conducting or assisting with special programs on Kitt Peak and downtown, developing astronomy-related demonstrations, and assisting with exhibit designs.
Benefits:
Kitt Peak docents enjoy numerous benefits:
- At-your-own-pace training sessions or regularly scheduled classes introduce prospective docents to astronomy and nature in a fun yet informative fashion.
- Monthly meetings downtown that feature speakers from among the scientific community.
- Free transportation to and from Kitt Peak in NOAO shuttle vehicles. Fully certified docents will be issued GSA drivers’ licenses so they may drive company vehicles.
- Uniform vests and hats are available at cost, issued at the successful completion of training.
- Free lunch in the mountain cafeteria while on duty.
- 15% discount on all items in the gift shop except Tohono O’odham crafts.
- Membership in the Kitt Peak Docent Forum, a group site for scheduling shifts and exchanging ideas and other information.
- Free access to the Nightly Observing Program.
Requirements:
After successfully completing the training course, docents should be willing to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for Kitt Peak astronomy with visitors to the Mountain. Docents need the ability to interact with diverse members of the general public in a positive and professional manner at all times, serving as the public face of the Kitt Peak National Observatory and NOAO. Docents must also be able to get along with and work with other docents as well as paid observatory staff in the same positive and professional manner. Docents will need the physical ability to walk at least ½ mile while at the top of a 7,000-foot mountain and spend long stretches of time on their feet during their volunteer shifts.
Responsibilities:
Upon completion of training, Docents must commit to volunteering for at least 3 work shifts on Kitt Peak per month for the following two years. Each shift is six hours long, from 10:00am to 4:00pm (if taking a Kitt Peak shuttle to and from the mountain, docents will depart NOAO Headquarters on Cherry Avenue at 8:30am and return by 5:20pm). For the most part docents may schedule their own days on the mountain. However, they must also be flexible and willing to support outreach efforts and cover for other docents as the occasions require. Docents will be trained in relevant NOAO policies and procedures, and are expected to adhere to these policies at all times. New docents must be current Kitt Peak Members or become members upon completion of training. Docents must maintain Kitt Peak membership in order to remain on active status.
- Docent Application Form [11K pdf]
- Volunteer Application Form [15K pdf]
PLEASE NOTE that Docents are unpaid volunteers. This is not an application for employment.
For additional information, call (520) 318-8736 or e-mail martino@noao.edu. To apply to the Kitt Peak Docent Program, print the application form and mail it to:
Robert Martino
Kitt Peak Visitor Center
950 N. Cherry Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85719
Or fax it to 520-318-8469.
