Telescope Operator

The NSF’s National Optical Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab) has immediate openings for two Telescope Operators to work with the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), within the NOIRLab Telescope Operations division of the Research and Scientific Services group. The successful candidate will join our international team operating two of the world’s premier ground-based telescopes in Chile, the V. M. Blanco and SOAR 4-m telescopes. 

NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab) is the preeminent US national center for ground-based optical and infrared astronomy. NOIRLab is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) that 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.

We seek individuals who can thrive in a culturally diverse environment. The Telescope Operators are members of the CTIO Telescope Operations (TelOps) Team and perform a number of essential duties in the Observatory’s operation.  The successful applicant will have demonstrated organizational and communication skills and possess initiative and the ability to understand the principles and functions of astronomical telescopes, instruments and observational data in acquiring proficiency.  The successful applicant will also possess excellent teamwork skills to work collaboratively with NOIRLab staff and visiting astronomers in our international community.

The Blanco and SOAR telescopes are operated from the summits of Cerro Tololo and Cerro Pachon respectively, with additional remote connections from La Serena and visiting astronomers’ home institutions. The telescopes are at an altitude of 2200 and 2750 m respectively.

Essential Job Duties:

• Operates the telescope, instruments and computer systems during night-time and day-time science and engineering use.
• Is responsible for the safety of the personnel, telescope and instruments while working at night.
• Detects and reports technical issues, and supports diagnosis and resolution of these issues during the night, as practical.
• Assists visiting and staff scientists and engineers in their use of the telescope, instruments and computer systems, and performs queue observing on scheduled queue nights. 
• Develops familiarity with instrument configuration and set-up to provide back-up for absences of other support staff.
•  This position does not include time nor funding for personal research.

Job Requirements:

• Ability to work night shifts. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays as needed.
• Responsible for the safety of people and equipment while working at night.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills as well as the ability to learn quickly required. Must be fluent in English, while command of the Spanish language is an advantage.
• Reliable, dependable, and flexible - excellent attendance and commitment to work scheduled shifts is necessary.
• Must be a self-learner and self-starter; requires above-average initiative.
• Requires outstanding judgment and ability to communicate clearly and firmly when issues of safety of personnel or the telescope are apparent.
• Ability to work productively in a multinational team.
• A good working knowledge of personal computers and the Unix/Linux and Windows operating systems is preferred.
• Requires a valid driver’s license, clean driving record and the ability to drive 4WD vehicles.

Education Required:

Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree in physics, astronomy, computer science, engineering or a closely related field. Exceptional/extensive observing experience may substitute for a science or engineering degree. 

Desirable Experience:

Any or all of the following:

• Experience with telescope operation and/or astronomical observations
• Hands-on laboratory experience, for example electronics or optics
• Relevant computer software experience, such as Python programming and/or astronomical data reduction
• Master’s degree in a relevant field

Other Requirements:

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 as defined in the Vela Award Management system.

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 operate a four-wheel drive vehicle on rough roads in mountainous terrain.
• Must be willing to support observing systems after normal working hours.
• Ability to work at 2750 m altitude.

If you would like to apply for this opportunity, please submit your CV/Resume along with a Cover Letter in English and submit all documents as PDF files, named with the following format: Lastname_Docname.pdf (where Docname is CoverLetter, CV or Resume).  The cover letter should describe how your education and experience are matched to the job requirements. Please also append a list of 3 professional references, with contact information, to your Cover Letter.  References will be contacted at a later stage in the recruitment.

This position will remain open until filled.  For full consideration, applications should be received by April 15, 2022.

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at [email protected]

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.

COVID-19 Policy Update: AURA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy that requires all employees to be vaccinated, unless qualified for an exemption based on medical or religious reasons.  All new employees will be required to comply with this policy and will be required to present proof of full vaccination or submit a completed request (including supporting documents, if applicable) for an exemption at least five (5) business days prior to their start of employment.  Individuals who fail to meet this deadline may have their employment start date delayed. 

This is a requirement for all employees working onsite or from home (telework or hybrid remote work schedule).  Currently the vaccination requirement does not apply to any future AURA employees working in Chile, regardless of their nationality or type of contract.

AURA currently offers a mix-model workspace (office & virtual) and stimulating environments for all, with most staff working virtually from home during the COVID-19 crisis through December 2021. The safety of our staff and community is our top priority. We will continue to interview and screen candidates in this new virtual landscape and offers of employment can be extended and new hires will onboard virtually. Employees are required to be residents in their base job location within a limited time from their start date.

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of over 40 US institutions and three international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. AURA is responsible for managing the operations of the NSF’s NOIRLab, the National Solar Observatory, and the construction of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope under cooperative agreements with the National Science Foundation and operations of the Space Telescope Science Institute under contracts with NASA. 

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 and all of the centers, do 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.