As Facilities Operations Specialist, incumbent participates in the of the day-to-day operations of the Observatory and the maintenance of its facilities to ensure the safety of staff, visitors, and scientific instrumentation; prevent deterioration; and support the overall scientific mission. Provides direction to administrative and skills trades employees in the absence of the Operations Manager.
Incumbent plans, coordinates, estimates and schedules routine maintenance projects and upgrades for a facility or location through the coordination of in-house and contracted skilled and semi-skilled trades work.
Serves as Safety Officer for SAO facilities at Mt. Hopkins. Designs and implements an overall safety program-- including relevant training --for staff, visitors, and volunteers; and serves as technical advisor on safety issues related to FLWO operations. Serves as the FLWO interface with SAO Cambridge and SI OSHEM. Develops safety related aspects of annual FLWO budget request. Assures compliance with all certifications, safety, fire prevention, and SI/SAO security program requirements.
Under specific delegation of authority as an authorized representative of the Smithsonian Institution’s Contracting Officer (CO), incumbent serves as Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) for assigned projects. In particular, serves as the COTR for repair/renovation projects involving electrical work to ensure the timeliness and the quality of work performed by contractors and their compliance with contract terms. This includes, but is not limited to, monitoring the work or service performed by the outside contractor, advising the contractor of deficiencies in performance, verifying completion of work, approving payments, and coordinating with the SI/SAO Contracting Officers as appropriate to resolve contractor performance or other issues.
Leads the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical power systems at FLWO in collaboration with trained FLWO staff and outside contractors. Works with staff from SI’s Office of Planning, Design, and Construction (OPDC) and SI’s Office of Facilities Management and Reliability (OFMR) for SI funded projects to ensure that all documentation requirements are met. Supports construction projects’ oversight in other areas as requested.
As assigned by the Operations Manager, performs periodic onsite surveys of various types of construction work in progress at FLWO facilities, and reviews project plans and inspects both in-process and completed work performed both by FLWO staff and contractors—in particular electrical work-- to determine compliance with applicable Institution and occupational safety standards.
Serves as certified water system operator for the Observatory water distribution system consisting of several water catchment area/spring, pumping stations, water storage tanks, and fluid level and flow controllers.
Prepares and presents comprehensive reports—both oral and written--in assigned areas.
Starting at $88,525 Per Year (GS 12)
