Salary: $116,238.00 - $169,942.00 Annually
Location : CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 6230 O 2026/09/18 R
Department: Recreation & Parks
Opening Date: 09/18/2026
Closing Date: 10/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

DUTIES
$116,238 to $169,942
NOTE:
Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.
A Curator of Griffith Observatory is responsible for planning, developing and evaluating all Griffith Observatory public and educational programs, planetarium shows, publications, and exhibits; applies sound management and supervisory principles and techniques in building and maintaining an effective work group; fulfills equal employment opportunity responsibilities; represents the observatory; and does related work.

REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S)

1. A Ph.D. degree from an accredited college or university in Astronomy, Physics, or Planetary Science; and
2. Four years of full-time paid professional experience at a public observatory, major planetarium, science museum, or related facility supervising staff involved in developing and implementing astronomy and physical science programs and exhibits for the public.

PROCESS NOTES

1. Applicants who lack six months or less of the required experience at the time of filing may file for this examination. However, they cannot be appointed until the full experience requirement is met.
2. For qualifying work experience in Requirement #2, the term "professional experience" applies to positions that require possession of a degree from an accredited four-year college or university in order to obtain that position. Therefore, to be considered "professional," qualifying experience must be gained in positions requiring a four-year degree.
3. Please note that qualifying education must be from a college or university accredited by a City of Los Angeles recognized agency. A list of approved accrediting agencies can be found at
4. Applicants must list their school name and location, the type of degree earned and major in the Education Section of the on-line application. Applicants who fail to provide this information on their application will not be considered further in this examination.
5. Candidates completing the examination process will be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying degree. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their qualifying degree or transcripts to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section.

WHERE TO APPLY & APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the "Apply" icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at
NOTE:
Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications must be received by THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2026.
In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles who meet the minimum requirements, or are on a reserve list; 2) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applications submitted during the filing period may be kept on file in the event that additional applicants need to be tested to meet hiring needs.

SELECTION PROCESS
Examination Weight:

Training and Experience Questionnaire: 100%
The examination will consist entirely of an evaluation of training and experience, wherein candidates will be evaluated on their knowledge, experience, professional background, personal qualifications, and abilities as they provide knowledge of: physical sciences and astronomical principles; methods and techniques of public science education or interpretation, integrating astronomical content, performance, instrumentation, and specialized resources; program development and management for an observatory, planetarium, or science center; interpersonal and professional skills necessary to establish and maintain strong working relationships with a wide variety of others, including staff members, volunteers, community organizations, and the public; principles and practices of organization, personnel management, and public relations; fundamental principles and practices of supervision, including Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO); the ability to: write in a clear, cohesive, and sound manner; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
The Training and Experience Questionnaire will be administered on-line. Candidates invited to participate in the examination will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the specific steps on how to complete the on-line Training and Experience Questionnaire. Candidates who do not complete the on-line Training and Experience Questionnaire as required will not be considered further in this examination. It is anticipated that the on-line Training and Experience Questionnaire will be administered during the period of MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2026 to MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2026.
Training and Experience Questionnaires for all candidates who meet the minimum requirements, and in accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2 as stated above, will be submitted to an expert review panel for evaluation. The expert review panel will assign a numeric score to each candidate based on an assessment of each candidate's qualifications, as described on the candidate's Training and Experience Questionnaire. Unsolicited supplemental information will not be submitted to the expert review panel.
NOTES:

1. Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
2. A final average score of 70% or higher is required to be placed on the eligible list.
3. In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22, and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.
4. If in accordance with the Rule of Three Whole Scores all candidates are eligible for appointment consideration, the examination will consist entirely of an evaluation of the candidate's City employment application by Personnel Department staff to ensure that the minimum qualifications have been met.

Notice:
If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to:
There are many things to consider in a new employer. Visit the following webpage to view benefits the City of Los Angeles offers its employees:
01

To be PROPERLY AND PROMPTLY notified of the status of my application, I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide on my City application, the following information:

-Working E-mail address
-Telephone Number
-Official social security number

I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide a working email address on my application where I will receive notifications regarding the status of my application and the selection process.

I UNDERSTAND that important information regarding the status of my application and the selection process will only be sent via E-MAIL to the email address I provided.

I UNDERSTAND that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the email address I provided is a working email and that I will check my email regularly to ensure I receive any communication as it relates to the examination promptly.

I UNDERSTAND that the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department is NOT RESPONSIBLE for any lost or redirected emails and that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to add [email protected] to my email contact list to avoid email notifications related to this examination from being classified as "spam" or "junk" mail.

• I have read these statements to their fullest and will provide a working e-mail address on my application in order to receive status of my application regarding this examination.

02

I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe, IN DETAIL, my appropriate qualifying experience in the Work Experience Section of my application.

I UNDERSTAND that, if qualifying with my City experience, that I MUST indicate my appropriate job classification in my work history and NOT ANY WORKING TITLE that I believe is designated to me.

I UNDERSTAND that if I attach a resume and/or cover letter IN LIEU of completing the Work Experience Section, my application is INCOMPLETE and WILL NOT be considered for this examination, and my application WILL NOT be further processed.

In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL jobs, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any periods of unemployment during my entire work history.

• I have read these statements to their entirety and understand them completely and to their fullest.

03

I am currently:

• A City of Los Angeles employee having received a regular appointment.
• An exempt or emergency City of Los Angeles employee, but have civil service status.
• An exempt or emergency City of Los Angeles employee, without receiving civil service status.
• A City of Los Angeles employee in a temporary training position.
• A City of Los Angeles employee on a part-time basis.
• On a regular reserve list for the City of Los Angeles.
• Not employed with the City of Los Angeles.

04

IMPORTANT EDUCATION NOTES:
Please read each note carefully before providing your response:
Bulletin Process Note #3: Please note that qualifying education must be from a school accredited by a City of Los Angeles recognized agency. A list of approved accrediting agencies can be found at: https://personnel.lacity.gov/Accredited%20Institutions%2008-21-08.pdf.
Bulletin Process Note #4: Applicants must list their school name and location, type of degree earned and major in the Education Section of the application. Applicants who fail to provide this information on their application will not be considered further in this examination and their applications will not be processed.
Bulletin Process Note #5: Candidates completing the examination process will be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying degree. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their qualifying degree to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section.

• I have read each note in its entirety and fully understand the contents of each statement

05

REQUIREMENT #1:
I have GRADUATED from an accredited four-year college or university with a PH.D degree in one of the following areas:

• Astronomy
• Physics
• Planetary Science
• None of the above

06

REQUIREMENT #2:
I have the following amount of full-time paid professional experience at a public observatory, major planetarium, science museum, or related facility supervising staff involved in developing and implementing astronomy and physical science programs and exhibits for the public:
IMPORTANT NOTES:
You MUST provide detailed information, including examples of your experience in the Work Experience Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.
For qualifying work experience in Requirement #2, the term "professional experience" applies to positions that require possession of a degree from an accredited four-year college or university in order to obtain that position. Therefore, to be considered "professional," qualifying experience must be gained in positions requiring a four-year degree.

• 23 months or less
• 24 months to 41 months
• 42 months to 47 months
• 48 months or more
• This statement does not apply to me

07

REQUIREMENT #2:
Please use the text box below to provide specific and detailed examples of your professional work experience at a public observatory, major planetarium, science muse