ISAAC NEWTON GROUP OF TELESCOPES

LA PALMA, CANARY ISLANDS

 

Head of Operations

 

Ref: LSR2_06                                                          Closing date:    7th May 2006

                                                                                    Interview date: 9th June 2006

 

 

A vacancy exists for the Head of Operations at the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING) on the island of La Palma in the Canaries.  The ING operates world-class optical telescopes: the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope, the largest and most advanced astronomical telescope in Europe, the 2.5-m Isaac Newton Telescope and the 1-m Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope.  The telescopes are equipped with a wide range of imaging and spectroscopic instrumentation using solid state optical and infra red detectors, located on the international observatory Roque de los Muchachos at an altitude of 2400m. ING is funded by scientific research organizations in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Spain.

 

Telescope operations focus on the safe and reliable use of the facilities in support of scientific observations.  The Operations Team undertakes this task, supported by additional members from the Engineering and Astronomy groups, by carrying out routine and fault maintenance on a day to day basis, in order to provide observers with working telescopes, instruments and systems fit for that nights schedule, as well as carrying out preparations for future observations.  The Operations Team comprises of around ten members covering a range of engineering skills, and four Telescope Operators responsible for the nightly functioning of the telescopes.

 

Reporting to the Director, the Head of Operations fulfils a key position in ensuring that observers are satisfied and performance targets are met. He/She is the central person at the Observatory and directly responsible for all activities carried out on site and is also a key member of the management team.  Close cooperation with the Engineering and Astronomy groups is required for a successful delivery of service.  The post requires the day to day supervision of those staff allocated to the team.  The telescopes are scheduled for operation 365 nights of the year.

 

Appointment will be at Band G, with a starting salary of 50,000 euros, progressing to 52,900 euros after one year. The start date will be as soon as possible.

 

A relocation package will be available for candidates moving from outside of the Canary Islands.

 

 

DUTIES

 

·       The prime responsibility day to day is to hand over working telescopes to observers and ensure they remain working to satisfaction throughout the night.

 

·       Responsible for night-time telescope operation by providing an effective service delivered by trained Telescope Operators.

 

·       Leading telescope operations by acting as Team Leader, chairing daily meetings and delegating routine and repair work. Planning work for the months ahead, based on the scientific use of the telescopes.  Authorised to deploy resources and work un-rostered overtime.

 

·       Chairing regular meetings with Telescope Managers and representatives from the Engineering Groups to discuss previous faults, their status and remedies, together with future operational requirements.

 

·       Ensuring that the fault monitoring system is effective and beneficial.  That faults are analysed, allocated, effective repairs made and closed out and feedback is given to originators. Long standing problems are to be investigated, prioritised and resolved.

 

·       Reviewing the engineering requirements for telescope operations, providing feedback on the proposed schedules (based on availability, resources and time) to the Telescope Managers in order to provide a workable schedule.

 

·       Liasing with Engineering and Astronomy Group Heads over the rostering of staff to the Operations Team as Duty Engineers.  Ensuring that relevant staff are available to match the schedule and draw up the staff roster at least two months in advance.

 

·       Identifying strategic requirements for ING’s transport fleet.

 

·       Responsibility for the management of budgets for operational infrastructure and development. Preparation of budgets and balance spend to allocation over the financial year.

 

·       Act as Duty Engineer and Incident Officer at the Observatory site.

 

·       Responsible for ensuring that operational documentation is accurately produced, is used and updated, including daily check lists, instrument changes, manuals and operations procedure. 

 

·       Responsible for ensuring that the members of the Operation Team have the requisite skills, knowledge and resources required to carry out their tasks in a safe and efficient manner and establishing and documenting a training programme for their personal development.

 

·       Keeping up to date with developments in relevant Health & Safety regulations and directives; assess relevance and priority. Ensure these are implemented or updated if applicable to ING's operational activities.

 

·       Recognize when it is appropriate or required to apply European (or other) standards to new or existing work activities.

 

 

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

 

Applications are welcomed from engineering professionals, preferably with experience in an astronomical observatory. Diversity of experience would be an advantage.  In particular, persons with knowledge and experience of complex systems and/or a background in mechanical engineering are encouraged to apply.  Equally, we welcome applications from people with a background in other relevant disciplines or astronomy, with appropriate knowledge, skills and experience.

 

The primary requirement is for organisational, management and leadership skills to organise operations, analyse and resolve technical problems, monitor trends and plan for future requirements in order to maintain the ING telescopes as best of their class. 

 

Ideally applicants for the post should have a degree in an appropriate discipline and have had experience in a similar position. They must have the interpersonal skills needed to liaise with other senior staff over the requirements of the schedule and deployment of necessary resources, whilst being able to lead and motivate team members.  They must be responsive to the demands of an operational environment and be capable of leading a team working to deadlines, sometimes under demanding conditions and unsociable hours.  The primary work place is at the Observatory site and a driving licence is required. The working language at the Observatory is English; the ability to speak Spanish or a willingness to learn is also desirable.

 

 

Further information

 

The post will be based on La Palma. Further information on the post may be obtained from Dr René Rutten, Director ING (rgmr@ing.iac.es).  The Personnel contacts for information on the terms and conditions for the post may be obtained from Les Edwins (lie@ing.iac.es).

 

 

APPLICATIONS

 

To apply please send a completed ING electronic application form, which may be found on ING’s website at www.ing.iac.es ,   and curriculum vitae to:

 

Les Edwins, Head of Administration, Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes, by email to lie@ing.iac.es. 

 

The closing date for applications is  7th May 2006 and interviews will be held on La Palma on Friday June 9th.  Interviewees will be invited to visit the ING’s installations at the Observatory the day before, June 8th.

 

ING is fully committed to equality of opportunity in the workplace.

 

 

Les Edwins                                                                                           21st March 2006

Head of ING Administration