High School Student Assistant - Public Affairs
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W. M. Keck Observatory
HI
Summary
The student assistant will support the Public Affairs department by performing various administrative, organizational, and technical tasks. They will contribute to project-based work while developing professional skills in a collaborative environment.
Job Description
High School Student Assistant - Public Affairs
Application Deadline: 16 October 2026
Department: Public Affairs
Employment Type: Temporary
Location: W.M. Keck Headquarters
Reporting To: Department Supervisor/Manager
Compensation: $16.00 - $18.52 / hour
Description
Launch your professional journey with hands-on experience at W. M. Keck Observatory!
The Student Assistant in Public Affairs is a great opportunity for high school students to build real-world workplace skills while supporting meaningful projects in a collaborative, in-person environment. In this role, students will assist with administrative, organizational, technical, and project-based tasks while gaining exposure to teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and career pathways in a professional setting.
Why Choose W. M. Keck Observatory:
- Competitive starting salary ranging from $16.00/hr to $18.52/hr.
- Be a part of a dedicated team working on the frontiers of astronomy.
About W. M. Keck Observatory: With acknowledgment and profound respect for the cultural, ecological, and scientific significance of Maunakea, W. M. Keck Observatory offers astronomers a unique vantage point to explore the universe. Our twin telescopes are at the forefront of astronomical discovery, offering transformative insights into the cosmos. We are dedicated to service, stewardship, and our community, all while advancing our mission to unlock the mysteries of the universe. Join us in this endeavor!
What the Student Assistant in Public Affairs does:
The Student Assistant position provides high school students with the opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on professional experience in a collaborative workplace environment. Students support departmental activities through a variety of administrative, organizational, technical, or project-based tasks while learning workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Required Qualifications
Education
o High school student in good academic standing.
Skills
o Basic computer skills.
o Ability to follow instructions and complete assigned tasks.
o Willingness to learn and participate in a professional work environment.
Technical Competencies
o Ability to work part-time during the school year and during the summer.
o Ability to perform work in person at the workplace.
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The W. M. Keck Observatory telescopes are among the most scientifically productive on Earth. The two 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes atop Maunakea on the Island of Hawaiʻi feature a suite of advanced instruments including imagers, multi-object spectrographs, high-resolution spectrographs, integral-field spectrometers, and world-leading laser guide star adaptive optics systems. Keck Observatory is a private 501(c) 3 non-profit organization operated as a scientific partnership among the California Institute of Technology, the University of California, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Observatory was made possible by the generous financial support of the W. M. Keck Foundation. We wish to recognize and acknowledge the very significant cultural role and reverence that the summit of Maunakea has always had within the Native Hawaiian community. We are most fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct observations from this mountain
Founded
1985
Company size
51-200 employees
Industry
Research Services
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Kamuela, Hawaii
The W. M. Keck Observatory telescopes are among the most scientifically productive on Earth. The two 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes atop Maunakea on the Island of Hawaiʻi feature a suite of advanced instruments including imagers, multi-object spectrographs, high-resolution spectrographs, integral-field spectrometers, and world-leading laser guide star adaptive optics systems. Keck Observatory is a private 501(c) 3 non-profit organization operated as a scientific partnership among the California Institute of Technology, the University of California, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Observatory was made possible by the generous financial support of the W. M. Keck Foundation. We wish to recognize and acknowledge the very significant cultural role and reverence that the summit of Maunakea has always had within the Native Hawaiian community. We are most fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct observations from this mountain
Founded
1985
Company size
51-200 employees
Industry
Research Services
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Kamuela, Hawaii
