New Mexico Operations Deputy Assistant Director, Engineering (5011)

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a diverse, 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 Very Large Baseline Array (VLBA) distributed across the United States and its territories, 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 National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is seeking a New Mexico Operations (NM Ops) Deputy Assistant Director, Engineering to provide direct support to the Assistant Director of NM Ops on management, projects and initiatives, as assigned, which are deemed of importance to the organization’s objectives. The Deputy Assistant Director, Engineering implements processes for tracking and monitoring progress on goals, and will be the point-of-contact for budget, administration, and operations as relates to department activities.

This position is based in Socorro, New Mexico at the Domenici Science Operations Center.

What You Will be Doing:

The NM Ops Deputy Assistant Director, Engineering responsibilities consist of:

●        Leading the development and coordination of project and operations plan, including budget, timeline and resource requirements with the ability to strike a balance between operational and new initiative commitments.

●        Coordinating activities in the Electronics and Engineering Services Divisions (e.g. in support of major maintenance visits).

●        Overseeing the daily operations of assigned projects and divisions, including monitoring progress, expenditure, milestone delivery, reporting, and personnel management, and change management.

●        Facilitating selection, training and developing staff capable of meeting current organizational needs and future department requirements; set goals for, evaluates and addresses staff performance.

●        Reviewing and editing all communications and recommendations (e.g. performance reviews; promotion and salary recommendations) from the Divisions for clarity, consistency, appropriateness, and accuracy.

●        Addressing high-level personnel matters in Electronics and Engineering Services.

●        Coordinating and partnering with Human Resources, Budget and Administration to ensure operations are in compliance with set protocols and policies.  Assisting in the review and commenting on new policies and procedures proposed for potential impact on the department operations.

●        Providing input to NRAO HQ on NM Ops Key Performance Indicators (e.g. array reconfigurations, rail tie replacements, antenna overhauls, etc.)

●        Providing high level technical and engineering oversight of the designs, plans, and procedures originating from the Divisions.

●        Ensuring that projects are planned and completed within established controls and according to Observatory and department priorities, in collaboration with the NRAO Program Management Dept.

●        Serving as the facilities point of contact between NM Ops and Mauna Kea Support Services (MKSS).

●        Serving as the NM Ops primary point of contact for NRAO EPO activities at the VLA site.

●        Serving as the primary point of contact between NM Ops and ES&S to ensure a safe and compliant work environment. Represent NM Ops management at Employee Safety Committee Meetings.

●        Assisting in the preparation, maintenance, and reviewing of Observatory planning and reporting documents, including annual program plan, budget, metrics, and strategic and long-range plans.