VLBA Operations Specialist I-II

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.

At NRAO, we are recruiting an Operations Specialist to join our Operations team at the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) in New Mexico. The Operations Specialist provides skilled technical assistance, under limited supervision, in the execution of astronomical observing programs, basic data analysis and correlation of observed data. The Operations Specialist operates and array of ten telescopes as one system ensuring the acquisition of data from the instrument delivers a high level of data quality while ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment. Candidates with preferred experience and education will be considered for a higher-level Operations Specialist ranking; duties and responsibilities increase with each level. This is a “safety sensitive” position as described in the Position Requirements below.

The location for the position will be the Domenici Science Operations Center (DSOC) in Socorro, New Mexico. Socorro is a small, historical town in the Rio Grande Valley, 75 miles south of Albuquerque.

What You Will be Doing:

The essential duties of an Operations Specialist I include:

• Operating and monitoring ten telescopes and supporting equipment
• Troubleshooting and taking corrective action when errors and faults occur
• Communicating with remote personnel working on the telescopes, notifying personnel of dangerous weather conditions, monitoring fire alarm systems and responding to emergencies
• Initiating telescope control and preparing the antenna, receivers, clocks, recording systems and other hardware and software for operation
• Receiving observing instructions and executing observing programs including, but not limited to, processing incoming observing files, verifying against published schedules, annotating files on the observation schedule, executing observation programs and sending results to observers
• Aiding and accommodating requests from observers, scientific staff, engineers and technicians in regards to basic commands for telescope controls and data analyses
• Monitoring readings and alerts on multiple computer screens to detect unsafe equipment conditions and ensuring all systems are configured correctly and operating normally
• Monitoring fringe amplitude readings and data flagging codes to check data quality
• Performing system tests to measure values used to finely tune each antenna, verifying antenna functionality and receiver performance and updating system parameters following major hardware upgrades, in consultation with a system expert
• Taking prescribed actions to protect telescope equipment i.e. weather conditions exceed operating parameters
• Making necessary personnel call-outs when equipment safety is compromised and/or when major problems occur
• Maintaining an accurate observing log of failures, abnormal conditions, significant events, equipment status changes, procedural changes, or special instructions from observers or staff
• Writing detailed maintenance reports for hardware and software problems
• Documenting operational procedures and assisting with their upkeep
• Managing the correlator queue efficiently, appropriately balancing the priorities of observing and correlator functions
• Ensure data disk packs are properly handled and stores during and after usage
• Proactive compliance with all NRAO policies and procedures is required
• Other duties may be assigned

Additional responsibilities of Operations Specialist II include:

• Providing advanced troubleshooting support and corrective actions when errors and faults occur
• Performing ongoing analysis of operator tools and methods, and documenting improvements
• Developing procedures and documentation for new equipment based on technical information supplied by engineers or supervisors
• Writing technical reports to describe operating characteristics, abnormal conditions, and functional limitations
• Providing input/feedback on related and proposed hardware/software developments/issues and assisting in troubleshooting any detected problems
• Training new operators
• Assisting scientists in basic data analysis

Work Environment

Work is mission driven, team oriented and typically performed in an office setting within a research or development environment. The Operations Specialist will work as part of a team that supports a 24 hour / 7 day weekly rotation shift pattern of day, evening and night shifts made up of either five eight hour shifts or two twelve hour plus two eight hour shifts per week. The work is indoors with multiple computer terminals. Operators must be available for emergency call out and may be required to work overtime to cover vacant shifts or in emergencies until relieved.

Who You Are:

Education

• Associates degree (A.A.) or equivalent from an accredited two-year college or technical school with training in math, physics, science or a related technical field.
• While not required, a bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred.

Experience

• No prior experience is required.
• While not required, three or more years of experience in operating an industrial-sized astronomical instrument is preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Must be able to follow procedures and policies
• Attention to detail is critical
• Highly organized and able to multitask
• Excellent communication skills; able to express yourself clearly both verbally and in writing, and able to work well with others, sometimes in stressful situations
• Be able to handle emergency situations calmly
• Must be able to operate a computer using process control software applications and able to use a Windows computer and software.
• Must have experience with, or ability to learn, a LINUX/UNIX operating environment
• Must have demonstrated ability to read and interpret documents such as schematics, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals

Additional Requirements

• Be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Distinguish the primary and secondary colors (red, blue, yellow, orange, green, etc.) on a computer screen
• Must be able to hear audible alarms and see flashing and/or illuminated indicators to respond to system alerts

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.

Safety Sensitive

The selected candidate must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment/pre-placement drug screen. Failure to pass the screen will disqualify the candidate from employment consideration for a period of six months from the date of the results.

Total Rewards:

Compensation

The starting hourly rate of this position is between $22.75-$32.31 per hour. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

Associated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.
• Click Total Rewards for more information.

Application Instructions:

Select the “Apply” button above. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to . PM20