Description

The NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), operated by the National Solar Observatory (NSO), is the world’s largest and most advanced solar telescope, designed to help answer fundamental questions about our Sun and its complex magnetic fields. DKIST, which completed construction and began operations in November 2021 on the summit of Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii is a major program within the NSO. The NSO, an NSF national research and development center dedicated to solar science, is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). AURA, a consortium of 49 U.S. institutions and 3 international affiliates, operates world-class astronomical observatories. Its role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that drive innovative astronomical research.

General Description of the Position:

The Head of Maui Operations for the NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) is responsible for the operational management of all Maui-based functions of the DKIST Observatory located on the summit of Haleakalā. This role will oversee the day-to-day operations, ensuring the efficient and effective management of scientific and technical teams. Serving as the management representative of the DKIST Associate Director on Maui, this position plays a critical role in driving operational excellence, aligning organizational goals with strategic initiatives, and ensuring seamless coordination across all functions. The role is accountable for the overall success of the observatory’s Maui operations, fostering collaboration and maintaining high standards in both scientific and technical performance.

Essential Functions:

Operations Management:

Serve as the DKIST AD's management representative in the oversight of all operational aspects of DKIST on Maui, including:

• Oversee daily operations of DKIST, ensuring smooth functioning and maintenance of the telescope and associated observatory facilities on Maui.

• Lead the scientific and technical teams on Maui that are responsible for the operations of DKIST.

• Provide leadership and direction to the Maui-based management leads including Technical Operations, Instrument Operations, Science Operations, Safety, and Systems Engineering on Maui.

• Collaborate with NSO-wide support services in Administration, IT, Business Administration, and EPO for the smooth operation of DKIST facilities on Maui.

• Collaborate with AURA support services including Human Resources and Central Administration Services to advance the DKIST mission.

• Assist the DKIST AD in setting the financial, technical, and managerial strategy for the effective operation of DKIST.

• Maintain strong relationships with strategic stakeholders on Maui.

• Foster a positive and productive work environment through effective team management.

• Implement strategies to enhance team collaboration and professional growth.

• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the team to ensure a respectful and inclusive workplace.

Planning and Budget Management:

• Support the DKIST AD in the strategic planning of site operations, preparation of the annual progress reports, program plans, and the reporting on the Cooperative Agreement with the NSF.

• Provide budgetary planning and oversight of DKIST functional areas on Maui.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Advanced degree in science or engineering. A PhD, or equivalent experience in observatory operations, is preferred.

• Leadership experience with operations and instrument programs for scientific facilities (e.g., astronomical telescopes).

Skills Required:

• Familiarity with observatory operations.

• Demonstrated strategic and analytical thinking skills.

• Motivation and ability to identify and implement new strategic directions for the Observatory in a team environment.

• Strong leadership and people management skills.

• Experience with preparing budgets and cost account management.

• Excellent written and oral English communication skills.

• Effective technical writing and public speaking communication skills.

• Aptitude for dealing with strategic and tactical problems and issues.

• Ability to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders including: staff, governing board members, oversight and advisory committee members, users, and partners.

Experience Required:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience (or equivalent combination of education plus experience) leading/managing multi-disciplinary teams (in a university, an observatory, and/or an equivalent science or research organization).

• Experience managing large programs/contracts with commensurate budget responsibility.

• Must have a valid Driver's License, and a clean driving record.

Desirable Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Enthusiasm for scientific discoveries and for observational astronomy.

• Creativity, innovation, and a dedication to serving the scientific community.

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, ability to differentiate colors, 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 contact lens or eyeglasses; 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.

• Ability to work at 10,000’ elevation, sometimes during inclement weather, is required.

• Travel to the US mainland and occasional travel within the Hawaiian Islands and internationally will be necessary.

Salary Range: $200,900.00 - $253,300.00 . The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.

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/benefits-by-location/

The position will stay open until it is filled. To be considered in the initial review round, please submit your application by December 13, 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 (https://www.nsf.gov/) and NASA (https://www.nasa.gov/) . 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 (https://www.aura-astronomy.org/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.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)