Facilities Maintenance – HVAC/Plumbing

We have an opening for a full-time Craftsperson II (HVAC/Plumbing) to support the operation of the Tucson facility. We are looking for a talented team player to join our friendly team and provide expertise in HVAC and plumbing needs. Responsibilities will include operation and maintenance of the plumbing and HVAC&R systems and other general facility support activities and maintenance efforts. The work location is at the NOIRLab facility on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, Arizona. Working hours are generally 8-hour days, Monday through Friday; however occasional over-time or weekend efforts may be required.

Part of the Central Operations Services group, the Tucson maintenance/facilities team remains successful by working well together with a spirit of cooperation.  Together they provide a safe, healthy, pleasant, and functional environment for all.

Essential Functions:

• Oversight of the daily operations of the plumbing, HVAC&R and building control systems within the facility. 
• Troubleshooting, maintenance, repairs and/or replacement of parts, associated equipment and/or components within the systems. 
• The work will incorporate repair efforts as directed, or by using, established trade procedures or practices with little or no supervision.
• General efforts will include the following: performing preventive maintenance on the various systems such as lubricating equipment, filter/belt replacements, etc.; adjusting unit operations or equipment; calibrating various sensors and control system valves; inspections as may be required; checking, adding and/or recycling Freon and refrigerants as needed; cleaning tubes and coils within chillers, boilers and air handling equipment; repair, replace and/or rebuild various sizes of pumps as necessary; repair, replace and/or rebuild toilet, sink and urinal valves; repair and/or replace plumbing and pipes as necessary. 
• Efforts may be directed toward adjustment, operation and expansion of the control systems that maintain the building environment.  
• Other responsibilities will include the operation of lifts and forklifts as necessary, maintaining written or electronic records, maintaining tools and a clean orderly work area, and general assistance to other crafts persons or staff members as required or requested. 
• Efforts may also include support to the Kitt Peak facility on an as-directed basis.

 Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Working knowledge of: HVAC&R systems; control systems; refrigerant issues, including recapture and/or cleaning; and a basic understanding of the systems interfaces. 
• Requires experience using pipe soldering and brazing equipment, operation of equipment cleaning and circulation systems and basic mechanical, plumbing and pipefitting skills. 
• Must demonstrate a general aptitude for safety and other various associated OSHA subjects, such as: forklift operator safety, asbestos recognition, Freon management, respirator use, “hot work” requirements and lockout/tag-out requirements.
• Experience with reading blueprints, and have basic reading, writing and speaking skills, plus ability to prepare and maintain equipment records and reports.
• Must be able to obtain refrigerant certifications.
• Valid State driver’s license and a valid GSA permit issued by AURA.
• Requires on call status for emergencies after working hours.

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
• May occasionally work at 6,800 feet altitude if performing work at our Kitt Peak facility.

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 https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/employee-benefits-guide/

NSF’s NOIRLab is the preeminent US national center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. 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 for a diverse and inclusive community. NOIRLab operates as a matrix organization, providing services across a range of programs: Gemini, Rubin, MSO (CTIO and KPNO), and CSDC; with approximately 400 employees at facilities in three geographic locations: Arizona, Hawai’i, and Chile.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at NOIRLab.  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

Preference will be given to qualified internal candidates and qualified Native Americans living on or near the Tohono O'odham reservation.

Please list 3 professional references in your application (references will only be contacted later in the recruitment process) and attach: a cover letter and a CV or resume, 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 [email protected].

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at [email protected] 

The position will remain open until filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by March 15, 2022. 

COVID-19 Policy Update: AURA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy that requires all employees to be vaccinated including being up to date on boosters, unless qualified for an exemption based on medical or religious reasons.  All new employees will be required to comply with this policy and will be required to present proof of full vaccination or submit a completed request (including supporting documents, if applicable) for an exemption at least five (5) business days prior to their start of employment.  Individuals who fail to meet this deadline may have their employment start date delayed. 

This is a requirement for all employees working onsite or from home (telework or hybrid remote work schedule).  Currently the vaccination requirement does not apply to any future AURA employees working in Chile, regardless of their nationality or type of contract.

AURA currently offers a mix-model workspace (office & virtual) and stimulating environments for all, with most staff working virtually from home during the COVID-19 crisis through Spring 2022. The safety of our staff and community is our top priority. We will continue to interview and screen candidates in this new virtual landscape and offers of employment can be extended and new hires will onboard virtually. Employees are required to be residents in their base job location within a limited time from their start date.

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. 

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.