Survey Operations Specialist, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory

The Lunar and Planetary Laboratory’s Catalina Sky Survey (CSS), a leading NASA-funded project dedicated to detecting near-Earth asteroids, is seeking a Survey Operations Specialist. CSS operates advanced telescope facilities at the Catalina and Mt. Lemmon observatories, located north of Tucson.

This role is ideal for individuals who are self-motivated, adaptable, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a small team. Candidates must be physically prepared for work in a remote observatory environment at an elevation of 9,200 feet. The position requires a flexible schedule, including irregular hours and nighttime shifts.

Survey Operations Specialists typically work up to 12 nights per lunar cycle (approximately 29.5 days), divided into 3–4 shifts, and remain on-site during scheduled assignments. While winter conditions may include snow and cold, roads are maintained, and no snow removal is required.

Although primarily a nighttime operations role, occasional daytime work may be required. The successful candidate may also contribute to the survey through tasks such as instrument maintenance, software development, database management, IT support, electronics, and optics.

Employee will generally be expected to use their personal vehicle to travel to the observatory.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.

• Assist in the day-to-day operations of the Catalina Sky Survey, including telescope setup, calibration, and monitoring.
• Work under supervision to ensure smooth execution of observation schedules and technical procedures.
• Operate a range of telescopes (0.7m to 2.3m) to perform systematic sky surveys for asteroid detection and discovery of new objects.
• Manage the operation of telescopes, cameras, and associated computer systems, following established safety and performance protocols.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists to contribute to the design, testing, and improvement of optical and mechanical components for telescopes and related instruments.
• Perform scheduled maintenance on telescope systems and associated equipment.
• Ensure observatory facilities remain clean, organized, and operational in a remote, high-altitude environment.
• Develop observation schedules for survey work and follow-up tracking of previously discovered near-Earth asteroids to refine orbital data.
• Create and maintain scripts or applications for data processing, analysis, and automation of survey tasks.
• Optimize workflows to improve efficiency and accuracy of asteroid detection.
• Provide technical support for computer systems and networks at observatory sites. Responsibilities include diagnosing hardware/software issues, performing system updates, and ensuring cybersecurity protocols are followed.
• Help maintain and update the CSS public-facing website to enhance outreach and awareness. Ensure content accuracy, implement design improvements, and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Regularly track and record meteorological data critical for observation planning.
• Communicate weather-related risks to the operations team to optimize telescope usage.
• Manage scientific and operational databases, ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility.
• Perform routine backups and troubleshoot database-related issues.
• Identify hardware and software problems during operations, communicate findings to the engineering team, suggest improvements, and participate in troubleshooting under supervision.
• Prepare timely reports of observational results and ensure proper archiving of collected data for scientific analysis and long-term storage.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of astronomical observation techniques and near-Earth asteroid survey methodologies.
• Knowledge of telescope systems, optical instruments, and remote observatory operations.
• Knowledge of IT systems, networking, and troubleshooting in a scientific environment.
• Skills in operating telescopes and associated hardware/software systems.
• Skills in website development and maintenance (HTML, CSS, or CMS platforms).
• Skills in database administration and data archiving.
• Ability to plan and execute observation schedules for survey and follow-up tasks.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small team environment.
• Ability to monitor and interpret weather data for operational decision-making.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Demands:

• Occasional lifting of equipment up to 20 pounds.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.