Facilities Operations Manager

The NSF NOIRLab is the pre-eminent US national center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. NOIRLab is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) which operates as a matrix organization, providing services across a range of programs: Gemini, Rubin, MSO (CTIO and KPNO), and CSDC; with facilities in three geographic locations: Arizona, Chile and Hawai’i. The mission of NOIRLab is to enable breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics by developing and operating state-of-the-art ground-based observatories and providing data products and services.

Facilities Operations Manager - Hawaii is responsible for oversight of the operation and maintenance of base facilities in Hawaii at NOIRLab. Duties include, but are not limited to, planning, organizing, directing, and controlling all facets of the facilities operations.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for entire facility program of the base facilities in Hawaii. The program encompasses a wide range of properties and infrastructure, requiring the Facility Operations Manager to supervise and mentor staff.
• Provide professional building and site management, including oversight and management of all building environment related projects and contracts.
• Operate as an industry expert for design, maintenance, and management.
• Responsible for establishing, coordinating, and supervising a prioritized work schedule for subordinates.
• Plans and schedules facilities maintenance and improvement projects to ensure buildings and grounds of the NOIRLab facilities are properly maintained.
• Protect physical assets and establish life cycles and life cycle replacements for equipment, structures, and critical infrastructure.
• Provides facilities engineering support to operations staff at other sites as requested.
• Provides written input to the annual Program and Long-Range Plans, prepares annual department budgets, monitors and corrects monthly financial statements, and estimates year-end financial reports, publishes the Annual Property Survey Report.
• Prepares/reviews department supervisors and subordinate staff annual performance evaluations and counsels' staff on work-related issues.
• Performs all phases of project management, from establishing project business needs, defining milestones, detailed schedules, negotiating resources, and coordinating the efforts of team members, third-party contractors or consultants in order to deliver projects according to plan and see them commissioned.
• Develop full scale project plans and associated communication documents.
• Researches, recommends, and institutes, new and improved cost saving methods of operation, materials, and procedures.
• Collaborates with organizations and the University of Hilo, etc., regarding construction, building code issues, and other related items.
• Responsible for monitoring all regulatory compliance programs, such as OSHA, AURA safety, etc., within NOIRLab Hawaii facilities and for keeping subordinates informed of these programs.
• Responsible for the design of facilities improvements, new projects, preparation of contract specifications and compliance during construction.
• Responsible for implementing and maintaining preventative maintenance programs for all NOIRLab Hawaii facilities and for ensuring that maintenance efforts are ongoing.
• Writes and implements processes and procedures regarding transportation, safety, food service, housing and all other aspects associated with operations within the Hawaii facilities.
• Summit Operations Support: Allocates a portion of time to on-site support and inspections at the Maunakea summit facilities (14,400 ft.).
• Serves as primary contact for the clients of the department, communicating on activities and handling feedback from the clients.
• Assists the NOIRLab Head of Facilities Operations with planning and strategy on matters related to facilities management and development
• Effectively communicate technical needs to team members in a timely manner.
• Vehicle accountability, support, and oversight of the fleet management.
• Management and oversight of all facility management related contracts, vendor management, and interactions.
• 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.

Other Functions:

• Other duties as assigned

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• B.S. in Engineering, Facility Management, Development, Construction, Project Management OR related discipline and extensive professional development in Facilitates Management area.
• Minimum five years facilities maintenance experience with proven managerial advancement.
• Possess management, negotiation, and leadership abilities.
• Experience leading multi-million-dollar contracts and subcontracts.
• Excellent people skills in the context of a large group of direct and indirect reports.
• Ability to operate four-wheel drive vehicle in inclement weather when necessary.
• Valid State driver's license and ability to obtain a valid GSA permit issued by NOIRLab.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Facilities Management Certification (FMP, SFT, or CFM).
• Knowledge of AutoCad, Facilities software, and ability to read and develop plans and planning documents
• Possess budgetary management skills.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to work in a fluid environment.
• Able to apply formal project management methodologies in managing projects.

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 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
• Able to climb stairs and work at altitude
  • Kitt Peak – 6,800 ft.
  • Cerro Pachon – 8,900 ft.
  • Cerro Tololo – 7,300 ft.
  • Maunakea – 14,400 ft.
• May be required to extend worktime and/or stay overnight at Summits based on emergency situations, operational needs, and/or safety needs.
• Some travel may be necessary in or outside the contiguous United States

Compensation

Salary Range: $120,000 - $145,000. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications, experience and job location. 

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 Benefits by Location - Aura Human Resources. 

How to Apply 

Apply by Friday, May 15, 2026, for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: LastName DocName.  

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance at

talent@aura-astronomy.org