Observatory Maintenance Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Join the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) team at the National Solar Observatory (NSO) and play a vital role in maintaining one of the world’s most advanced solar research facilities. As a Facility Maintenance Technician II, you’ll support the cleanliness and upkeep of critical environments by performing cleanroom-quality cleaning alongside standard janitorial tasks across the observatory and its ancillary spaces. Working under the guidance of a supervisor or manager, your contributions will help ensure DKIST operates at the highest standards required for cutting-edge scientific discovery

Essential Functions:

• Performs cleaning tasks to upkeep the cleanliness and operability of the Observatory facility and equipment including, but not limited to:

• • Specialized cleaning in various machinery spaces.
  • Specialized cleaning within optical clean rooms, as directed by optical staff.
  • Regularly clean building interior (floors, walls, structure, handrails, stairways, etc.) by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, wiping, and/or vacuuming.
  • Sanitize equipment and surfaces as instructed.
  • Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment, in order to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.
  • Service, clean, and supply common areas of the facility. Gather and dispose of rubbish regularly and properly.
  • Drive vehicles, including vans and industrial trucks, when required in order to travel to and around the site when performing cleaning work or other assigned tasks.
  • Clean fleet vehicle interiors and exteriors and treat to keep free of invasive pests.
  • Maintain and inspect assigned areas to prevent pests and invasive species (facility, vehicles, storage yard), and use appropriate PPE when required to distribute insecticides, pesticides, and fumigants.
  • Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs in a timely manner.

• Work with senior techs or designated supervisor to select, request, inventory, and obtain supplies, services and equipment as needed for cleaning and maintenance duties.
• Maintains accurate records of cleaning activities, timekeeping and inventory requests on the computer.
• Supports senior techs in maintenance and crafts duties in support of the Observatory facility infrastructure and equipment, including but not limited to the following:

• • Supports weather-related leak detection and mitigation, as needed.
  • Inspect and replace filters for a variety of equipment, such as Air Handling Units, fans or vacuums, as needed
  • Move furniture, equipment, and supplies, either manually or by using hand trucks.
• Ensure compliance with AURA property management policies and government award terms.
• Works in accordance with applicable safety standards. Ensures the safety of operations in areas under purview. Report on any unsafe conditions and practices.

Desired Functions:

• Contributes to the general maintenance and upkeep of all structures and/or installations under the direction of a supervisory engineer or more senior technician.  Includes installation, repair and maintenance of buildings, roofs, interior/exterior walls, floors, ceilings, door hardware, painting and associated finishes.
• Able to operate forklifts, scissor lifts, reach machine, etc. for facility and equipment cleaning, maintenance tasks, handling of materials, disposal of rubbish, etc.
• Performs other general maintenance activities as may be assigned.

 Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Graduation from high school or vocational school.
• At least one year of experience working in an industrial environment or the field of facility maintenance.
• Knowledge of and ability to use general maintenance tools, materials, methods, and practices.
• Ability to work independently and follow verbal or written directions.
• Ability to cooperate with others as part of a team, and to provide supervision over others.
• Ability to read, follow and understand blueprints and pencil sketches for specific job directions as appropriate.
• Basic computer skills such as email, word processing, spreadsheets, and others as needed to understand tasking and shift assignments, and to communicate and report on tasks performed in a Computer Maintenance Management System.
• Good reading, writing and speaking skills, able to prepare detailed documents and records.
• General aptitude for safety practices and other various associated safety issues.
• Physical ability to perform work requirements as dictated by job needs (lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, etc.).
• Possess a valid state driver’s license, and ability to obtain GSA license.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the cultural and biological significance of the site.

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 required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; climb; or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
•  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors, 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 the 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.
4. Ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately.
• There will be occasional working at height utilizing appropriate PPE
• The position will be based at the Haleakala (DKIST) facility and ability to work at 10,000’ elevation, sometimes during inclement weather, is required.
•  Occasional travel between the mainland US and Hawaiian Islands may be necessary.
• Availability to work varying shifts, which will include occasional early mornings, nights, and/or weekends

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required by personnel so classified. This Institute promotes Equal Employment Opportunity workplace that includes reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified, disabled applicants and employees.

Salary Range: $25.00 to $29.80 per hour. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.

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 Benefits by Location - Aura Human Resources

Apply by September 11, 2026, for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: LastName DocName.

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance here.

The NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST)—operated by the National Solar Observatory (NSO)—is the world’s largest and most advanced solar telescope. Designed to transform our understanding of the Sun and its magnetic environment, DKIST began operations in November 2021 atop Haleakala, Maui. The NSO is an NSF national research and development center dedicated to solar science and is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), a consortium of 49 U.S. institutions and 3 international affiliates.