From: aavso{at}aavso.org
Sent: Friday 16 April 2004 13:37
Subject: Search For AAVSO Director - Information & Job Description

Dear fellow AAVSO members,

As chair of the search committee for a new director I have asked 
Elizabeth Waagen, interim director, to circulate the following job ad 
to you and to post the ad on the AAVSO website. We are also posting 
the ad in a variety of online ad publications to reach the broadest 
possible audience. But, it is often the case that the members 
themselves have the best contact with potential candidates for this 
position.  Please encourage any candidate you think is interested and 
qualified to apply.

The search committee is currently myself, Lee Anne Wilson, Tom 
Williams, and Gary Walker. The closing date for applications is July 
15. The search committee will provide a prioritized list of 
candidates to the council for final consideration and selection at 
the fall Council meeting.

I invite any member to contact me directly about the search process 
or to provide names of possible candidates. By working together we 
can generate the best pool of candidates from which Council can 
select a director whom we hope can take up the reins of the AAVSO, 
but who we know can never replace our long constant guiding star, 
Janet Mattei.

Kevin B. Marvel Chair, AAVSO Director Search Committee AAVSO First 
Vice-President
===========================================================================
DIRECTOR of the American Association of Variable Star Observers
25 Birch St
Cambridge MA 02138 USA

The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) 
(www.aavso.org), a not-for-profit corporation of about 1,300 members 
with a mission of collecting and making available observations of 
variable stars, seeks a full-time director based at its Cambridge, 
Massachusetts, USA headquarters.

The AAVSO is an international nexus for variable star data and 
research. The organization gathers data from observers all over the 
world, coordinates ground-based observing support for space missions, 
provides educational programs on astronomy and variable stars and has 
programs and resources to assist amateur observers in making valuable 
contributions to astronomy by observing variable stars and other 
objects.

The director is the chief scientific officer of the organization and 
the executive officer of the corporation. The director is responsible 
for all scientific activities of the organization including the 
quality of the data provided to professional astronomers and the 
long-term integrity of the AAVSO data archives.  The director is also 
expected to carry out and/or supervise an independent research 
program that is closely tied to the overall activities of the 
organization.  The director manages an office staff of eleven to 
achieve the goals of the organization.  The director is responsible 
for organizational budgeting and out-year planning for the needs of 
the organization.  Further, the director is expected to secure 
outside funding from granting agencies to continue and expand the 
core functions of the society.

The qualifications for the position include: A Ph.D. in astronomy or 
a closely related field, with experience working with variable stars 
and/or astronomical database management; evidence of ability to 
manage an organization of the size and nature of the AAVSO; and 
evidence of ability to obtain grants from funding agencies or private 
foundations.  In addition, the applicant should show clear ability to 
work effectively with a wide community of professional and amateur 
astronomers, including technical and public lecturing as well as 
willingness to travel internationally to meetings or on promotional 
tours.

The AAVSO Council appoints the director for a term of not more than 
five years, renewable indefinitely on mutual satisfaction. Salary for 
the position is commensurate with experience and qualifications.  
Individuals interested in applying for this position are encouraged 
to contact the search committee chair informally to learn more about 
the organization and the position.

Candidate interviews will be held in August or September 2004.  The 
starting date is flexible, but should begin as early as possible 
after October 2004.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, 
applications received by July 15 are guaranteed a full review.  
Please address all applications to: Dr. Kevin B. Marvel, Chair, AAVSO 
Director Search Committee, 2717 Schooley Drive, Alexandria, VA 22306.


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