National Radio Quite Zone Assistant - Military veterans preferred

National Radio Astronomy Observatory


Title: National Radio Quite Zone Assistant

Location: Green Bank Observatory, PO Box 2, GREEN BANK, West Virginia, United States of America ? NRAO Headquarters, 520 Edgemont Rd, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, United States of America

Requisition Number: 49

Job Family: Administrative Support

Pay Type: Hourly

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory is an exciting and dynamic organization that is pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe. Whether you are a scientist, student, or simply someone who is fascinated by the cosmos, the NRAO offers a wealth of opportunities to learn, explore, and discover.

At NRAO, we are recruiting a National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ) Assistant. This position supports the administrative duties of the Zone Regulatory Services (ZRS) Coordinator and Green Bank Observatory site inspector. Administrative duties include timely and accurate radio frequency (RF) spectrum management to minimize harmful interference in the NRQZ, specifically for the Green Bank Observatory site. The NRQZ assistant will assist in the process of evaluating requests for frequency coordination inside the NRQZ for all new or modified, permanent, fixed, licensed transmitters based on rules specified for federal transmitters by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and for non-federal transmitters by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The NRQZ Assistant will discuss the design, layout, assembly, testing and troubleshooting procedures and problems of NRQZ transmitting sites flagged with a site inspection requirement with engineers and technical staff. These inspection duties often include – though are not limited to - performing site inspections to confirm that the deployment of a transmitter is compliant based on parameters coordinated with the NRQZ office. For more information about the NRQZ, see: https://info.nrao.edu/do/spectrum-management/national-radio-quiet-zone-nrqz-1

The preferred location for the position will be based in Green Bank, WV or Charlottesville, VA.

What You Will be Doing:

• Assist in the receiving, reviewing and evaluation of preliminary requests and final applications for radio frequency transmitter installations or equipment (re)configuration and special temporary authorizations within the NRQZ based on applicable rules specified by the NTIA and FCC.
• Research and verify technical equipment specifications to ensure the information provided is correct.
• Generate concurrence letters from templates based on outcomes of technical evaluation.
• Maintain application database and accurate and searchable reports, and research historical written sources as needed.
• Regularly analyze the frequencies already assigned in the proposed operational area for compatibility, considering emission, power, location of transmitters, height of antennas, and other critical equipment operating characteristics.
• Determine whether requests if approved, would result in technical conflicts with existing frequency assignments/maximum power that can be radiated.
• Support site inspectors investigating NRQZ compliance and aiding in the review and determination of interference sources under the provisions of the NRQZ and the West Virginia Radio Astronomy Zone (WVRAZ).
• Discuss the design, layout, assembly, testing and troubleshooting procedures and problems with engineers and technical staff.

Work Environment

Work is mission driven, team oriented and typically performed in an office setting within a research or development environment. The employee frequently is required to communicate in person, by electronic mail, and by telephone. Must be able to stand and sit; perform fine hand manipulation. Must be able to operate a personal computer. Must work with electrical equipment. Occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, and crouch. May occasionally work at high altitudes; and in high, precarious places and in outside weather conditions, and may be exposed to chemicals, or the risk of electrical shock. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color and depth perception. Travel to transmitter sites anywhere within the NRQZ will be required.

Who You Are:

• You have an associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school in administration, management, or engineering. You may have a bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering or computer science and coursework or similar experience in propagation modeling, databases and data management. Experience in spectrum management or spectrum management training is desirable. Experience in RF and/or electrical engineering is desirable.
• You have a minimum of 4 years of related administrative experience with intaking, recording and managing data in a database/spreadsheet. Demonstrated ability to learn specialized software for mathematical calculations. Demonstrated ability to learn methods of deployment in RF engineering.
• While not required, you may have prior experience with spectrum management and frequency coordination, and experience with calculations related to the propagation of radio waves. Prior experience measuring and interpreting electrical/electronic technology. Knowledge of radio astronomy is desirable.

Competency Summary

• Comprehensive knowledge of standard office practices, procedures, equipment, and administrative techniques; thorough knowledge of business English, spelling, and arithmetic; and the ability to make calculations and to set up forms and statistical tables. Thorough knowledge of personal computers, including word processing and spreadsheet software (MS Office), and the ability to learn specialized software for propagation calculations for sharing and compatibility.
• Ability to learn to read and comprehend complex and specialized vocabulary. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public; ability to understand and follow oral and written instruction; ability to organize and perform work independently in the absence of specific instructions.

Additional Skills (not required)

• Experience with specialized software for propagation calculations for sharing and compatibility. Knowledge of spectrum management issues.
• Experience with methods of deployment in RF engineering. Able to operate a 4-wheel drive vehicle off-road safely and effectively to reach transmitter sites. Some familiarity with FCC rules & regulations; ability to search FCC's databases.

Total Rewards:

Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees’ overall well-being and career growth.

Compensation

AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance.

Factors which may affect starting pay may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

AUI’s benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

Application Instructions:

Select the “Apply Now” button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to resumes@nrao.edu. PM20

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