VLA Operations Specialist -II

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Title: VLA Operations Specialist I-II

Location: Old Hwy 60, New Mexico, USA

Requisition Number: 167

Job Family: Operations Specialist

Pay Type: Hourly

Required

Education:

NET

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is an exciting and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile.

These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail.

The NRAO is seeking an Operations Specialist to join our Operations team at the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico. The Operations Specialist provides skilled technical assistance, under limited supervision, in the execution of astronomical observing programs, basic analysis and archiving of data. The Operations Specialist operates an array of 27 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 Operation Specialist ranking; duties and responsibilities increase with each level. This is a "Safety Sensitive" position as described in the Position Requirements below.

The position is based at the VLA, 50 miles west of Socorro, NM. Socorro is a small, historical town in the Rio Grande Valley, 75 miles south of Albuquerque

The essential responsibilities of an Operations Specialist include:

• Operating and monitoring telescopes and supporting equipment;
• Cross training to operate the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA);
• Troubleshooting and taking corrective action when errors and faults occur;
• Communicating with personnel working on the array and tracking activity, 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/software for operation;
• Receiving observing instructions from on-site or remote observers and executing observing programs including, but not limited to, processing incoming observe files, verifying against published schedules, annotating files on the observation schedule, executing observing programs, and sending pointing 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 antenna moves or a major hardware upgrade, in consultation with a system expert;
• Taking prescribed actions to protect telescope equipment;
• 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;
• Collecting meteorological data for the National Weather Service;
• Driving daily shuttles to/from the VLA and the NRAO facility in Socorro;
• Proactive compliance with all NRAO policies and procedures is required;
• Other duties may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities of an Operations Specialist II include:

• Providing advanced troubleshooting support and corrective actions…