Program/Project Management Associate

NSF’s NOIRLab, or National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory, unifies all NSF nighttime optical/infrared astronomy facilities under a single operating organization. NOIRLab brings together the Gemini Observatory, the operations of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, the Kitt Peak National Observatory, the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, and the Community Science and Data Center. The mission of NOIRLab is to enable and share breakthrough discoveries in astronomy and astrophysics with state-of-the-art ground-based observatories, data products, and services for a diverse and inclusive community. NOIRLab is a growing matrixed organization with over 500 staff from diverse backgrounds and nationalities from across the world. NOIRLab is primarily funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, as well as the Department of Energy and NASA.

The Project Management Associate will primarily work on projects within the Sustainability Program, and as needed, other high priority projects determined by the leadership of NOIRLab, for example Dark Skies and Infrastructure Renewal initiatives. The purpose of the Sustainability Program is to significantly lower the carbon footprint of NOIRLab. The target is to lower our carbon footprint by 30% by 2027, with a goal of reaching 50% reduction.  NOIRLab will execute a series of renewable energy projects such as installation of photovoltaic and battery systems to reduce CO2 emissions from use of grid electricity, as well as other projects related to energy efficiency.

This position will administratively report to the Head of PMO and functionally to one or more Project Managers supporting the Sustainability Program.

 Essential Functions: 

• Organize and manage information supplied by the vendors from different bidding packages.
• Support in the review of plans or other project documents under the supervision of the technical expert and project manager
• Support in validating compliance with AURA/NOIRLab contractual commitments
• Support in development of procurement documentation.
• Support in monitoring and control of vendors’ activities
• Support in managing the Master Schedule
• Support in implementing NOIRLab risk management plan.
• Support submission of the Monthly Project Progress report or other reports required by stakeholders.
• Coordination with different project stakeholders (Safety, Infrastructure, Programs, Services, etc.)
• Support updating NOIRLab project management documentation.
• Support for closing administratively and contractually all contracts and project documentation.
• 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, https://cas.aura-astronomy.org/Awards.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities: 

• Bachelor’s in a relevant discipline (i.e. engineering, business administration) or equivalent qualification
• 2 years of relevant experience
• Must be able to read and understand technical documentation in both Spanish and English
• Passion for learning project management and its various processes involved (planning, scheduling, resourcing, procurement, asset management, risks, budgeting, reporting).
• Ability to cope under pressure and balance multiple priorities
• Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills
• Diligent and attentive to details
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to influence, communicate and cooperate with a wide range of staff and managers
• Passion to learn, grow, and interest in streamlining processes.
• Advanced level of English.
• Availability to go to the summit when required.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities: 

• Knowledge of Project, Program or Portfolio Management
• Knowledge of Waterfall and Agile Project Management methods and associated techniques.
• Knowledge of various project management tools (e.g. MS-Project, Merlin, Primavera or other)
• Knowledge of MS Office/G Suite experience working with project documentation.
• Experience with collaboration tools (e.g. Google Docs, Confluence, JIRA)
• Project Coordination / Basic Project Management certification is desirable

Physical Requirements:  

The physical requirements 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 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.
• Some travel may be necessary in or outside Chile.
• For summit positions, include:

• • Cerro Pachon: Ability to work at 8,900’
  • Cerro Tololo: Ability to work at 7,300’

How to Apply:

The position will remain open until it is filled while all applications received by October 23, 2023 will receive full consideration. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application in English by Month Day, Year 

• Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume in English, 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). 

At NOIRLab we are committed to diversity and inclusion; our managing organization, AURA, as a leader in the astronomical community, develops and supports programs that advance our organizational commitment to diversity, broaden participation, and encourage the advancement of diversity throughout the astronomical scientific workforce. Learn more at http://www.aura-astronomy.org/diversity.asp

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. 

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of over 40 US institutions and three international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. AURA is responsible for managing the operations of the NSF’s NOIRLab, the National Solar Observatory, and the construction of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope under cooperative agreements with the National Science Foundation and operations of the Space Telescope Science Institute under contracts with NASA. Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org  

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.