Director, Office for Protection of the Chilean Skies

The Oficina de Protección de la Calidad del Cielo del Norte de Chile (OPCC), or Office for Protection of the Chilean Northern Skies, is devoted to protecting dark skies near astronomical observatories in Chile. The OPCC is funded by some of the international observatories operating in the north of Chile and is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). The Director of the OPCC will lead a team that is focused on quantifying the impact of light pollution, proposing lighting solutions that meet local needs while protecting dark skies, conducting research and providing resources regarding lighting technology that complies with Chilean national and local regulations regarding dark skies. The OPCC also conducts activities to improve public awareness of the impact of outdoor lighting on the sky in communities near the observatories. Staff associated with the OPCC are available to support the technical and scientific work for observatories, municipalities, schools, and other organizations within Chile.

The OPCC Director provides leadership for and coordination with dark sky protection near the international observatories in Chile, manages the OPCC office and its staff, and is accountable to the leadership of the observatories. The Director will prepare an annual program plan for the OPCC, will manage budgets and report progress against milestones. The Director leads the OPCC staff, coordinates with other dark sky protection efforts in Chile, according to the direction from the Dark Skies Council (DSC), and remains current with dark sky protection work around the world. The OPCC Director should have the capacity to design and develop plans according to the input from the DSC. The OPCC staff may represent dark sky protection efforts in Chile at international conferences, as well as national conferences or specialized meetings.

The OPCC Director reports to the NOIRLab Director (or his/her delegate). The OPCC Director may also interface with the NOIRLab Dark Skies Protection (DSP) Research Group as part of the NOIRLab/NSF funding effort. The OPCC Director coordinates work, when relevant, with NOIRLab’s Office of Observatory Site Protection. The OPCC Director will keep AURA-O, the Carnegie Observatories, the Giant Magellan Telescope Observatory (GMTO) and the European Southern Observatory informed regarding local, regional or national governmental interactions and receive their guidance regarding the constraints and restrictions on this interaction, as well as opportunities to further the mission of the OPCC.

Essential Functions:

• Provide technical information, conduct studies and provide assistance with the design, selection and deployment of outdoor lights and lighting fixtures to reduce their impact on sky brightness to public and private entities.
• Inform different civic sectors and public and private services and institutions in general regarding the need to protect the environment enveloped by, and including, the sky in the north of Chile, in coordination with Regional Secretaries of Environment, the Service for Environmental Assessment and the Superintendency of Environment, and Regional Governments, Municipalities, public services, industrial associations, companies, professional, technical and primary/secondary schools, higher education institutions, media, environmental organizations, and other related institutions.
• Disseminate and promote better understanding of the emissions regulations and other legal, regulatory and technical norms associated with this subject.
• Carry out technical support activities directed towards public and private entities that must adapt their light fixtures or carry out new projects to comply with the regulations and standards in force, with a special emphasis on municipalities and private companies. 
• Collaborate with State administration entities, whether at regional, municipality or national level, that oversee the relevant regulations.
• Coordinate and conduct measurements of artificial light at select locations and monitor secular changes in the intensity, spatial and spectral distributions.
• Quantify the impact of light pollution on the scientific performance of the observatories. 
• Provide services to the Foundation for the Skies of Chile (FCC) and other groups regarding outdoor lighting and light pollution.
• Provide input, data, illustrations, figures, and other information in support of efforts to improve awareness within the professional community and public regarding the impact of light pollution on astronomy in Chile.
• Draft technical reports and scientific publications that convey the results of the work done by the OPCC and collaborators.
• Request the assistance of the NOIRLab DSP Research Group on any of the above bullets, as well as provide assistance.

Other Functions:

• Other duties as assigned

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Commercial, Industrial, Systems, etc), Business Administration, astronomy, physics or related fields with management experience.
• Experience and familiarity with light pollution and its impact on astronomy and the environment in general.
• Technical skills related to precision measurement, data manipulation, analysis and presentation
• A minimum of 7 years of experience managing science related programs, as well leading staff and developing budgets, reporting documents and annual plans.
• Ability to lead a team of diverse individuals who possess a range of skills and experience
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with other organizations across a range of activities
• Ability to communicate effectively, in spoken and written Spanish and English
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a complex matrixed organization

Duty Station:

The OPCC location is in La Serena, however, the selected candidate will be able to choose to have their main duty station in Santiago or La Serena. Regardless, frequent work will be required in both locations. Frequent travel to Paranal/Armazones, La Silla, Las Campanas and GMTO sites in the Antofagasta and Atacama Regions are also expected.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described below 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.

• 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.
• 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 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
• 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
• Travel will be necessary in or outside Chile
• Ability to work occasionally at the following elevations:
  • Cerro Pachon: Ability to work at 2700 meters
  • Cerro Tololo: Ability to work at 2200 meters
• Infrequent work at higher elevations, g., Mauna Kea, Cerro Armazones, etc. (up to 14,000’) is also required.

Salaries for positions hired in Chile meet Chile national market rates and internal scales for AURA.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/employee-benefits-guide/ 

The position will remain open until it is filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by June 7, 2024. 

• Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname Docname. 
• Application documents that are not uploaded as part of the application may be sent to employment@aura-astronomy.org. 
• Please enter 3 professional references in your application (references will only be contacted later in the recruitment process). 

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org 

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of 49 US institutions and 3 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation and NASA. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. In addition, AURA is deeply committed to public and educational outreach, and to diversity throughout the astronomical and scientific workforce. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities. 

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our recordkeeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.