Operations Speciialist Technician - Mcdonald Observatory

Job Posting Title:

Operations Speciialist Technician - McDonald Observatory

Hiring Department:

Center for Space Research

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

Location:

MCDONALD OBSERVATORY

Job Details:

General Notes

Responsible for operating and maintaining associated systems. Uses drawings, task lists, instructions, and technical data to work on RF and GPS systems. Establishes and maintains effective site local operations procedures and system documentation identifying system connectivity, cables, and wire runs. Possible extended work hours/on-call/weekend/holiday work for rare equipment breakdowns and operational needs. Live in the local area. Relocation expenses not available. Interviews are conducted in Austin, Texas, and/or at McDonald Observatory, TX, preferably.

Purpose

Be a member of collaborative team working on rotating schedules to deliver engineering support for installing and commissioning McDonald Geodetic Observatory instrumentation and infrastructure as a full multi-technique Earth geodesy observatory. Operate, maintain and troubleshoot Very Long Base Interferometer (VLBI) electronics, maser clock, and GPS/ RF receivers located at McDonald Geodetic Observatory (MGO). Provide engineering support during installation and troubleshooting of such systems.

Responsibilities

• Initialize and setup RF antenna for operations. Safely shut down and restart subsystems such as antenna equipment, RF receiver equipment, disk drives, detectors, and lasers.

• Perform functional tests, analyze performance and malfunctions.

• Remove, install, test, and troubleshoot electronic, electrical, mechanical and hydraulic assemblies, modules, and interconnecting cables.

• Operate and repair cryogenics systems, replace hoses, mylar covers and refrigerant.

• Able and certified to operate personnel lift, or willing to be trained and certified.

• Keep maintenance records. Perform field and limited sustainment maintenance of systems. Prepare reports about operating characteristics, malfunctions, design specifications deviations, and functional limitations.

• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with major coursework in the field of assignment and six years of related experience, or master's degree and four years of related experience, or Ph.D. degree and two years of related experience. 5-7 years' experience operating and troubleshooting RF systems. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

• Able to use specialized project equipment. Experience operating and maintaining RF antennas and receiver electronic equipment, including troubleshooting entire system at a moderate level.

• Familiar with antenna operating principles and measurement techniques, antenna control units/drives operation and maintenance process, and maintenance and preservation of large antenna's structures.

• Capable of working with Windows/Linux/MacOS operating systems, applications and custom software. Capable of operating/configuring network equipment utilizing local operating procedures and/or manufacturer user manuals.

• Familiar with various types of test equipment including systems test sets and stands such as frequency meters, standing wave indicators, oscillators, ohmmeters, voltmeters, resistance bridges, and signal generators to localize faults at the box level and at the line replacement unit (LRU) level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Applicable military experience can substitute for a bachelor's degree.

• Experience supervising and training new employees.

• At least 7-10 years' experience operating and troubleshooting RF and/or optical/laser equipment.

• Capable of operating/configuring network equipment utilizing local operating procedures and/or manufacturer user manuals.

• Familiar with various types of test equipment to include systems test sets and stands such as frequency meters, standing wave indicators, oscillators, ohmmeters, voltmeters, resistance bridges, and signal generators to localize trouble by component unit, by circuit within a component, and by element of a circuit.

• Completed VLBI related training in VLBI system configuration, signal path and safety features; VLBI software operations; VLBI operating procedures; VLBI Preventive Maintenance procedures; operating in confined spaces, cryogenics handling, or similar.

• Completed safety training, first aid and CPR/AED training, electrical safety-related work practices, Lockout/Tagout training, Task Hazard Assessment training, or similar.

Salary Range

$61,320+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Willing to supervise and train new employees.

• Occasional work in inclement weather with hazardous equipment or materials.

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Use of manual dexterity.

• Climbing of stairs and ladders.

• Lifting and moving. Ability to lift/carry 50 pounds.

• Engineering/electronic shop, lab and standard office conditions.

• Willing to complete specialized training in US and Canada.

• Infrequent travel.

• Willing to complete Environmental Health and Safety training.

• Work around electrical and mechanical hazards, and chemical fumes.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin 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.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.