Current jobs related to Telescope Mechanic - Green Bank, West Virginia - National Radio Astronomy

Join the National Radio Astronomy Observatory as a Telescope Mechanic and contribute to the advancement of radio astronomy research. As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for the routine maintenance, installation, testing, and repair of radio telescopes and associated equipment.

• Perform routine maintenance tasks on radio telescopes and equipment, including mechanical, electrical, and limited electronic components.
• Assist in the operation and testing of telescope and operating equipment, as required.
• Evaluate the performance of newly installed equipment and assist in the functional evaluation of systems under actual operating conditions.
• Assist Telescope Operators with receiver/equipment changes.
• Take and maintain inventory of parts.
• Record maintenance activities and use PC as required.
• Assist with indoor/outdoor painting, as needed.
• Maintain tools and equipment in safe operating condition.
• Collaborate with other maintenance and support personnel as assigned.
• Use hand and power tools, work from verbal or written instructions, sketches, and prints.
• Comply with NRAO and government safety policies and procedures in your work area.

As a Telescope Mechanic, you will work both outdoors on buildings and the telescope, and indoors in a shop area. You must be comfortable working on open structures up to 500 feet tall, outdoors in all weather conditions, near moving parts, and electrical equipment. You must also be able to work in a high noise area with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

• A minimum of a High School diploma or general education degree (GED).
• A minimum of 2 years of experience, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Preferred qualifications include mechanic work, industrial or other maintenance of heavy equipment, some welding, or industrial spray painting.

Strong verbal communication skills are necessary for effective consultations with coworkers and the ability to participate effectively as a member of a team. You must be able to use the NRAO online time reporting and requisition system. Ability to read and interpret documents such as schematics, blueprints, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. A working knowledge of machine shop, welding, and electrical techniques and procedures.

The ability to climb antenna stairs and ladders to heights of above 100 feet, lift equipment up to 50 pounds (unassisted) is essential. You must possess visual acuity (corrected is acceptable) and manual dexterity to be able to perform work on small pieces or areas of work material, and hearing acuity in order to perform work safely with instructions and guidance being given over hand-held radios and/or during operations of loud machinery. Work is performed outdoors, at heights, and near moving machinery.

You must hold and maintain a valid West Virginia Driver's license.

The selected candidate must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment/pre-placement drug screen. Failure to pass the screen will disqualify the candidate from employment consideration for a period of six months from the date of the results.

Associated Universities, Inc, (AUI) offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees' overall well-being and career growth.

Compensation: AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance.

Benefits: AUI's benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental, and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. NRAO's retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant's base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.