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Operations Coordinator, IS-0301-11
Application Deadline: 30 June 2026
Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Employment Type: Temporary
Location: Amado, AZ
Compensation: $76,095 - $98,928 / year
Description
OPENING DATE: June 1, 2026
CLOSING DATE: June 30, 2026
SERIES/GRADE: IS-0301-11
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Temporary (Non-Federal), not to exceed June 15, 2027, with the possibility of extension of an additional year.
DIVISION: Director's Office
LOCATION: Amado, AZ
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.SAO is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.While this position is classified as remote, the incumbent must reside in Arizona to provide firsthand oversight of the program's storage facilities and shipping hubs. Salary will be based on the locality where the selected applicant resides.
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTIONThe Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.
The STARS program, an initiative of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Center for Astrophysics, delivers telescopes, firsthand STEM curricula, and professional development to rural and tribal schools across the U.S. By bridging gaps in science education, STARS empowers students and teachers with the tools and knowledge needed to explore the universe and develop critical thinking skills. Our mission is to inspire the next generation of scientists through experiential learning opportunities. The program is launching in Arizona and will expand across the country as time and funding allows.
MAJOR DUTIES
Summary:
The purpose of this position is to provide oversight and personnel management to deliver the program across the state of Arizona. This role is vital in maintaining the operational integrity and reporting accuracy required to sustain the programs mission and prepare for national expansion.

• Team Supervision: Provide direct supervision, guidance, and daily support to the field-based Program Delivery and Engagement teams.
• Statewide Scheduling: Manage the master implementation calendar for multiple field engagement teams, ensuring efficient routing to school sites.
• Inventory Management: Maintain a comprehensive inventory of all program assets, including Celestron Nexstar 6SE telescopes and accessory kits.
• Shipping: Coordinate the packing and advanced shipping of telescope kits to school sites; perform regular quality control checks at the Arizona storage facility. Serve as the primary point of contact for storage facility management and shipping carriers.
• State-Wide Reporting: Aggregate delivery team data into high-level progress reports for the Executive Director, tracking state-wide participant demographics, equipment performance, and programming milestones.
• Fleet Coordination: Oversee the maintenance schedules and compliance records for the program's GSA vehicle fleet.
• Program & Operational Coordination Coordinates day‑to‑day operational activities across multiple functional areas to ensure mission continuity. Develops, implements, and monitors operational workflows, schedules, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Serves as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding operational requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Basic Requirements:Minimum of one year specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 9 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, such as coordinating and overseeing operational schedules and maintaining the inventory of a program's assets to ensure the program's requirements are met.
OR
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
OR
3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree
OR
a combination of education and experience
Additional qualification information including education substitution can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-admin.asp Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:

• Proven ability to lead remote or mobile teams and manage personnel across a large geographic area.
• Experience and knowledge in inventory management and project coordination tools.
• Ability to understand astronomical equipment or sensitive scientific.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from various communities, such as teachers, administrators, and team members.
• Experience and knowledge working with K-12 education systems.
• Skills and knowledge with communities of practice, professional learning networks, or educator support groups.
• Experience and knowledge in STEM, particularly astronomy/planetary science and/or telescope, educational programs.

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeo.
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/