NSF’s 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 for a diverse and inclusive community.
The Head of Facilities Operations is a member of the NOIRLab management team and is responsible for the management and administration of Facilities Operations in Arizona, Hawai’i, and Chile. NOIRLab facilities include offices, laboratories, shops and infrastructure at three sea level complexes as well as multiple telescope enclosures, dormitories, shops and physical plants on four remote summit sites totaling more than 600,000 square feet of enclosed space.
Essential Functions:
- Provides day-to-day management oversight and leadership for Facilities Operations and ensures those activities are well supported per the annual NOIRLab Program Operating Plan and established strategic priorities.
- Working with and through the geographic heads of Facilities Operations, provides leadership and direction to the Facilities Operation group which is responsible for the operations, maintenance, and on-going modernization of the entire “outside the telescope enclosure” NOIRLab physical plant to include buildings, roads, grounds, utilities, and infrastructure both at sea level facilities and on mountain tops.
- Partners with the Head of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) to collaborate on facility aspects of an integrated cross-NOIRLab program for the protection of the safety and health of all NOIRLab employees, the environment in which they work, and the physical plant.
- Working with the NOIRLab Directorate, establishes plans and priorities for Facility Operations that reflect a shared allocation of resources and effectively manages competing priorities.
- Identifies deferred maintenance needs and deficient infrastructure, develops remediation plans and executes these plans subject to priorities and resource availability.
- Establishes and maintains regular reporting to provide information on progress and concerns to the NOIRLab Directorate on the areas that fall within Facilities Operations.
- Demonstrates for all audiences a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position or subordinates of this position.
Other Functions:
- Other duties as assigned
Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:
- A bachelor’s degree relevant to the position, e.g., Business, Operations Management, or other.
- A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in managing and leading operations functions, preferably in a matrixed organizational structure
- Excellent management, customer service, and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated negotiation and team building skills with the ability to work strategically and collaboratively across multiple organizational units
- Solid verbal and written communication skills and the ability to clearly communicate at all levels within the organization
- Ability to produce and administer effective business and operations plans to meet the needs of NOIRLab
- Demonstrated leadership abilities
- Success in advocating for diverse and inclusive teams and work culture across geographic locations
- Proven ability to operate effectively in a complex matrixed organization
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.
- 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 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 be able to function at elevations of 8,000 for periods of several hours to days.
- Travel within and outside the contiguous United States will be required.
- Maunakea: Ability to work at 14,000’ for 8 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).
- Cerro Pachon: Ability to work at 8,900’
- Cerro Tololo: Ability to work at 7,300’
Salary Range: $149,772 – 170,420. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications, experience and job location.
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 February 16, 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.
