Outreach and Visitor Centre Manager

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Date: 16 Jan 2026

Location: Canberra, ACT, AU

Company: CSIRO

Acknowledgement of Country 

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation. 

 

Role highlights

 

  • An on-site key role at a world-renowned facility supporting NASA’s Deep Space Network
  • Lead daily operations and drive outreach and event delivery of the CDSCC Visitor Centre
  • Foster strong partnership and work closely with NASA/JPL, CSIRO, CDSCC and the contractors

 

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge. Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

 

About CDSCC

Located at Tidbinbilla, just outside Australia's capital city, the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) is one of three Deep Space Network stations around the world. The other two are in Madrid (Spain) and Goldstone (USA). These three stations, together with the Network Operations Control Centre at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the US, make up NASA’s global DSN. JPL manages and operates the DSN for NASA. Together, the three stations provide around-the-clock contact with more than 30 spacecraft, including missions to study Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, comets, the Moon and the Sun. CDSCC supports ground-based spacecraft telecommunications as part of the international National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA) Deep Space Network (DSN), under contractual arrangements between the NASA and Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). For more information on CDSCC, please visit:  http://www.cdscc.nasa.gov

 

The opportunity 

The CDSCC Visitor Centre, located on the grounds of the station, welcomes schools and adult groups as well as members of the public to learn about the role that Australia plays in the exploration of space. The centre includes indoor exhibition and theatre spaces, a gift shop and an outdoor playground. It attracts over 30,000 visitors each year.

 

As a CDSCC Outreach and Visitor Centre Manager you will leads the operation of the Visitor Centre, overseeing exhibitions, daily readiness, public engagement, tours, education programs, and digital channels. The role coordinates major events including open days, VIP visits and mission‑related activities, while also managing the CDSCC Archives. It requires close collaboration across CSIRO and with external partners such as government agencies, JPL and NASA, including media engagement and oversight of onsite contractors.

 

Your high-level duties will include: 

  • Lead delivery of visitor, school and public education programs on space science and CDSCC activities.
  • Oversee daily operations of the Visitor Centre, including exhibitions, facilities, gift shop and Archives, and manage the Centre’s budget.
  • Coordinate major public events, open days and mission‑related activities.
  • Deliver VIP programs, host special guests and provide on‑site tours.Manage the CDSCC website and social media, and contribute content through CSIRO Communications.
  • Support media engagement for NASA mission activities and supervise canteen contractors, ensuring HSE and food safety compliance

 

Role particulars

Location:  Tidbinbilla – Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC), ACT

Salary: AU$118,102 – AU$127,808 per annum plus up to 15.4% superannuation 

Tenure & work schedule: Specified Term up to 29 September 2028; Full-time or Part-time (0.9 full-time equivalent). 

Reference: 102190 

 

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

 

Pre-requisite

This is predominantly a site-based role therefore prerequisite is the ability to travel to, and work from, the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla, ACT.

 

Essential

  • Tertiary qualifications in education, science communication or equivalent relevant work experience in this or a related area.
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
  • Demonstrated experience with outreach and public engagement.
  • Proven experience in event management.
  • High level written and oral presentation skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to acquire and apply technical knowledge and concepts.
  • Demonstrated experience in leading and developing teams.
  • Demonstrated commitment to health, safety and wellbeing of staff and the public.

 

Desirable

  • Extensive knowledge of space science history, activities and missions.
  • Proven exhibition or museum management experience.
  • Experience in being interviewed and engaging with media outlets to meet their needs.

 

For full details about this role, please review the Position Description.  

 

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

 

Setting You Up for Success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact careersonline@peopleteam.csiro.au and let us know how we can support you.  



Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO. 

 

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise that true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

 

Eligibility 

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens & Australian Permanent Residents only. Appointment to this role is subject to the provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.   

 

Child safety 

CSIRO is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy. 

 

How to apply 

Please apply online and provide a CV and a detailed cover letter (maximum 2 pages) that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. Please attach your selection criteria responses to your cover letter as one document. 

 

Applications close 

15 February 2026, 11:00 pm AEDT

 

We strongly encourage you to apply early, as we will review applications as they come in. CSIRO reserves the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date, if required.