Job Information
AURA Mechanical Tech Supervisor in Maui, Hawaii
Description
General Description of Position:
The Mechanical /Maintenance Technician Supervisor leads the DKIST Observatory Mechanical /Maintenance Technician (M-Tech) group. Overseeing shift assignments, work inspections, and technician development. This role includes mentoring, training, and conducting annual assessments for technician employees, while also requiring hands-on involvement, stepping in to perform M-Tech duties as needed. The Group Leader supports the Technical Operations Team on site as directed by the Mechanical Engineering Group Lead and other Technical Operations managers, contributing to design reviews, planning, scheduling, and preparation for installation of upgrades and/or new components. Additionally, they are involved in developing and executing maintenance programs for both existing and newly implemented subsystems.
Essential Functions:
Supervisory Functions:
Act as point of contact to leadership team to be advised of needs and upcoming schedule/activities, and in turn, advise of concerns and risks, and request resources or
Represent the M-Tech group at coordination meetings; transmit information back to the technician team.
Prioritize, schedule, and assign tasks and Report on progress and results. Create and manage team schedules and work orders.
Manage / Supervise and coordinate Maintenance Tech(s) responsible for facility cleaning, in particular machinery spaces and cleanrooms.
Define M-Techs goals, communicate objectives, and monitor performance including the company-wide Annual Performance Review.
Provide quality assurance inspection of technician work; create/close work orders and provide logs and reports as required.
Coordinate shift assignments for technicians for observing support and technical
Assess skills proficiency of staff; identify and recommend training or other professional Evaluate performance and productivity; provide timely feedback. Ensure technician work follows good practice and is compliant with applicable consensus standards. This includes correcting unsafe behavior or conditions and working with the project safety staff and management as appropriate
Respond to and take actions to deal with the results of work delays, emergencies, and other problems that may arise at the Observatory.
Identify workforce needs. Interview prospective employees, evaluate, and make recommendations.
Responsible for coaching employees and facilitating their professional development. This includes providing guidance, feedback, and support to help them improve their skills and performance, identifying training needs, creating development plans, and offering opportunities for career advancement.
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.
Responsible for ordering, receiving, tracking, and maintaining preventative maintenance supplies, consumables, spares, tools, and test equipment.
Recommend improvements or tools according to experience, research required products and product availability, and work with purchasing on ordering materials
Approve timekeeping, vacation requests, and maintain personnel records.
Help resolve employee issues and disputes.
Technical Functions:
Installation, checkout, and operation of Mechanical sub-systems, systems, and equipment under the direction of a supervisory engineer.
Perform technical activities including selection of components, assembly, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance under the direction of a supervisory engineer or independently, depending on the
Execute observatory system maintenance; assist in the development of planned maintenance on new sub-systems under the direction of a supervisory engineer or
Identify discrepancies in documentation, red-line drawings, procedures, and reports for updating. Coordinate remedy of discrepancies.
Solve problems and/or assist in solving design problems as required, achieving assigned project objectives.
Assist other technical support personnel as
Comply with technical requirements and approved time schedules of assigned
Monitors, documents and reports results of activities and notes unusual
Work in accordance with applicable safety standards. Ensure safety of operations in areas under purview. Report any unsafe conditions and practices.
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.
Other Functions:
- Other duties as assigned
Required Experience/Skills/Abilities:
Associate’s degree, military schools, or college level courses in Mechanical Engineering Technology or equivalent combination of trades/skill training and demonstrated work experience sufficient to meet job requirements.
A minimum of 5-7 years of experience with relevant technology or engineering support functions covering areas of telescope systems: chilled water, compressed air, System lubrication, domestic water system, air handling, exhaust fans, and enclosure systems.
A minimum of 1-3 years of supervisory experience or team leadership experience, ideally involving oversight of technical staff, shift planning, and mentoring.
Ability to read and interpret specifications, diagrams, manuals, and other documentation.
Ability to interpret assembly, fabrication, machining, and piece part drawings.
Ability to thrive in a culturally diverse team
Willingness to actively participate in team safety meetings and adhere to (and advocate for) safety procedures and protocols.
Sensitive to and respectful of cultural and environmental
Proficient with computers and software including spreadsheets, word processing, email, instant messaging, videoconferencing, and CMMS software.
Ability to organize, plan, and prioritize work, including schedule, staffing, tools, and materials.
Ability to speak and write effectively, including preparation and presentation of drawings, plans, work orders, and reports.
Ability to cooperate with and obtain the support of others.
Leadership skills to direct and delegate work.
Desirable Experience/Skills/Abilities:
- 15 or more years of relevant work history
A broad range of experience/interest covering a number of the following areas:
Machining / Fabrication
Ability to interpret Engineering Drawings
Experience in precision machining of small-medium sized mechanism parts and related components.
Experience in structural mechanical fabrication including welding and brazing a variety of materials
CNC machine operation and programing
Creating and modifying part and assembly models and drawings in CAD
Optical / Instrumentation
Experience with optical mirror handling, cleaning and or coating
Experience working in a clean room environment
Working in an astronomical or scientific laboratory environment
Precision alignment and metrology (e.g. micrometer, dial indicator, theodolite, laser tracker)
Servicing and repair of high vacuum cryogenic systems
HVAC/R
Familiarity with HVAC/R equipment which include pumps, heat exchangers, chillers, valves, and piping systems.
Certification in Refrigerant Handling, EPA608 or equivalent training.
Pumps and Process Equipment
Experience with testing, maintenance, servicing, troubleshooting, and repair work on hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Experience in pump maintenance including rebuild, alignment and vibration monitoring.
Training
Experience with craning and slinging of equipment
OSHA/ANSI Fall Protection Authorization
Certified Rigger
Certified Overhead Crane Operator
Forklift operator
Aerial work platform operator
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 50 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 possess sufficient mobility, strength or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) grasp, push, pull, turn or otherwise manipulate tools and mechanisms; b) push, shove, pull or otherwise safely and efficiently manipulate tools or mechanisms; c) lift, hold, maneuver, objects of 50 lbs or more; d) maintain balance while performing work; e) remove parts, systems, tools of 50 lbs or more.
There will be occasional working at height utilizing appropriate PPE.
The position will be based at the Haleakala (DKIST) facility and ability to work at 10,000’ elevation, sometimes during inclement weather, is required.
Occasional travel between the mainland US and Hawaiian Islands may be necessary.
Availability to work varying shifts, which will include occasional early mornings, nights, and/or weekends.
Salary Range: $116,600.00 - $131,900.00. 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 remain open until it is filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by October 25, 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)
