Site Manager - Maunakea en None

The NSF NOIRLab is the preeminent US national center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. NOIRLab is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) which operates as a matrix organization, providing services across a range of programs: Gemini, Rubin, MSO (CTIO and KPNO), and CSDC; with facilities in three geographic locations: Arizona, Chile and Hawai’i. The mission of NOIRLab is to enable breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics by developing and operating state-of-the-art ground-based observatories and providing data products and services.

The Site Manager coordinates the day-to-day Maunakea summit work in coordination with the GN Head of Engineering Operations.

Essential Functions:

Leadership & Management Oversight:

Manager for the Maunakea day crew. This includes setting clear goals and conducting regular performance evaluations. Fosters an environment of personal and organizational growth and enrichment.

Plans and prepares monthly and weekly telescope daytime activities. Leads daily coordination of all telescope activities, chairing coordination meetings, interact with other groups (Science, ITOps, Software) to ensure all plant equipment and required facilities for telescope operation are readily available.

Budget Management:

Works with the GN Head of Engineering Operations to develop and manage the MK site portion of the budget. Prepares annual forecast, considering upgrades and larger maintenance activities, training needs and fluctuating energy costs.

Tracks spending against budget and reports variances to Program and Service management.

Operational and Technical Oversight:

Responsibilities include oversight of telescope systems and support services required to conduct the day-to-day technical and observing functions of all systems within the telescope enclosure as well as daily and long-term maintenance of telescope facilities and instruments, telescope facility upgrades and instrument development, and engineering interfaces across all levels, internally within the Observatory and externally, as appropriate.

Manages and plans the corrective and preventive maintenance programs for the entire telescope facility, implementing upgrades to complex systems. Identify performance and efficiency improvements by applying proven industrial standards on reliability and quality. Provides input and strategic direction for upgrades, obsolescence mitigation programs.

Participates in and leads troubleshooting activities.

Maintains strong focus on process orientated work, sets standards for documenting activities, strives for continuous improvement by periodic audit of all processes used during telescope operations. Sets and monitors KPIs.

Take full control of the Maunakea site operations and ensure site safety during bad weather or catastrophic conditions.

Safety, Communication and Governance:

Ensures implementation of NOIRLab/Gemini’s Safety Policy by training, educating, guiding summit staff and ultimately enforce compliance. Takes action on any safety related issues by consulting safety group and report back to Head of Engineering Operations. Lays out appropriate training plans for summit crew, ensure safety walkthroughs are completed, and Job Safety Analyses are completed whenever appropriate. Conducts incident investigation in collaboration with the safety department applying methodologies aimed at continuous improvement.

Works with the Head of Engineering and the engineering staff to ensure that, at the highest levels, the Observatory continues to realize the goal of a single, cohesive, competent, focused, productive Observatory-wide Operations team of the highest quality. Requires a desire and the know-how to drive the effort to make the telescopes the best possible in ground-based astronomy.

Maintains excellent relations with internal and external customers, attends telescope visits, presents periodic reports during meetings internal and external to the observatory. Fosters an open communication working environment to stimulate inclusiveness and participation in continuous improvement initiatives by all group members.

Coordinates and approves all requests for tours.

All AURA employees must be safety conscious, comply with all safety policies, processes and procedures, and attend safety training.

All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area, whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing, stolen, or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer.

Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position or subordinates of this position.

Other Functions:

Ice and snow removal from the enclosure and facility as required.

Continue Maunakea technical work in the assigned discipline.

Other duties as assigned

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

Accredited technical degree or equivalent experience.

Minimum of 5 years successfully managing work crews.

Previous experience maintaining and managing complex systems.

Be a good problem solver.

Demonstrate dexterity, safety awareness, and attention to detail.

Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Possess leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

Utilize excellent judgement and have the ability to communicate firmly when issues of safety of personnel or the telescope are apparent.

Possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

Able to drive a 4-WD vehicle.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

Familiarity with the electronics and mechanics of telescope systems is highly desirable.

Previous telescope experience preferred.

Work Environment:

This position operates in a professional office environment handling and operating a variety of tools and machinery. Occasionally works in outside conditions that may include inclement weather, heat, and humidity. This role may involve work during non-standard business hours, including overnight. The work environment may have exposure to loud sounds and involves working in close proximity to others.

Salary Range: $123,000-$139,000. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Maunakea: Ability to work at 14,000’ in a cold environment for 10-hour shifts.  Longer shifts and working during inclement weather occasionally required.  Required to pass High Altitude medical examination (post offer and potentially at specified intervals while employed if medically necessary).

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.

The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.

Occasionally operates a computer and other office productivity tools that require fine motor skills, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer printer, etc.

Constant need to position self to maintain building-specific machinery (including boilers) as well as general office tools.

The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Must be able - to sit for long periods of time; must be able to drive a 4-WD vehicle and possess a clean driving record; Must be able to work at the Mauna Kea Gemini Observatory located at 14,000-foot altitude.

Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines.

Must possess – 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately.

Must possess sufficient mobility, strength or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) grasp, push, pull, turn or otherwise manipulate tools and mechanisms; b) push, pull or otherwise safely and efficiently manipulate tools or mechanisms; c) lift, hold, maneuver, objects of 50 lbs or more; d) maintain balance while performing work; e) remove parts, systems, tools of 50 lbs or more.

Some travel may be necessary in or outside the contiguous United States.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required by personnel so classified. This Institute promotes Equal Employment Opportunity workplace that includes reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified, disabled applicants and employees

Apply by October 31st for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: LastName DocName.