Observatory Operations Manager

A complete job description can be found on our website https://lowell.edu/about/employment/

OBSERVATORY OPERATIONS MANAGER

Lowell Observatory invites applications for the position of Observatory Operations Manager (OOM). The OOM supervises all operational aspects of the research telescopes and technical facilities at the Mars Hill, Anderson Mesa, and Happy Jack sites.  This position reports to the Deputy Director for Technology (DDT).

Lowell Observatory operates telescopes at three sites: its expanding Mars Hill campus in Flagstaff Arizona (both research and public viewing telescopes), Anderson Mesa 10 miles southeast of town (1.1-meter, 0.9-meter, 0.6-meter telescopes, and the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer - NPOI), and Happy Jack another 35 miles southeast of town (the 4.3-meter Lowell Discovery Telescope -LDT, formerly known as the Discovery Channel Telescope).  Learn more about these facilities by following this link:  https://lowell.edu/research/research-facilities/

Please see a list of responsibilities included in the full position announcement on the career page of our website.  https://lowell.edu/about/employment/

QUALIFICATIONS

The Observatory Operations Manager must be self-motivated with strong attention to detail and able to complete tasks on schedule. He/she must possess excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.  He/she must have strong organizational skills, as regards both individual work and managing operations and engineering staff.  He/she must be willing to take on new tasks and duties as needed to support the overall mission of the Observatory.  Driving in mountainous winter conditions is often required.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Required:  The Observatory Operations Manager shall possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant science or engineering field, a minimum of ten years of experience in science/research operations, with a minimum of four years of supervisory experience that includes managing a technical, engineering, or science team in a high-pressure environment.  Significant experience in operation of research telescopes including a minimum of four years of experience with large aperture instruments (2-meter minimum).  The OOM should have prior project management experience and be familiar with project management tools and principles.

Desired:  A Master’s degree or PhD in physics, astronomy, or earth sciences, or comparable engineering background, is desired.  Experience with active and adaptive optics, interferometric facilities, or other similarly complex instrumentation, is a large plus.  Experience with MS Project will be considered positively.

To Apply:
Please send the following documents to [email protected]

• • Lowell Application Form (http://lowell.edu/about/employment)
  • Resume
  • Letter of interest addressing your qualifications
  • Phone numbers and e-mail addresses of three references

Applications received by January 24th 2020 will receive full consideration

Inquiries may be sent to Kyler Kuehn, Deputy Director for Technology ([email protected]).  Dr. Kuehn will be attending the January AAS Meeting in Honolulu; to arrange an informal discussion at the Meeting regarding this position, contact Dr. Kuehn via email.

Lowell Observatory is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and provides equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status.

Lowell Observatory provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. This nonsmoking/drug-free campus is at an elevation of 7,000 ft/2100m, and the LDT is 40 miles south of Flagstaff at an elevation of 7,800 ft/2370m. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources office for assistance.

All employment with the Observatory is on an "at will" basis. At-will employment means that the relationship may be terminated at any time by either the employee or the Observatory for any reason not expressly prohibited by law. Any representations to the contrary are invalid and should not be relied upon by any prospective or existing employee.