Technical Laboratories Manager

This is an exempt, monthly paid position, eligible for UC benefits. See below.

This is a Santa Cruz based, on-site position.

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

Benefits to working at UC Santa Cruz include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans
• UC Retirement Plans
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Legal Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays plus accrued vacation and sick leave
• For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit here.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. Materials submitted after the IRD will ONLY be forwarded at the request of the hiring unit. To ensure your application is routed for consideration, submit your materials before 11:59 p.m. on the IRD. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 11-18-2024

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The University of California Observatories (UCO) is a Multi-Campus Research Unit of the University of California, with headquarters at the UC Santa Cruz campus. UCO operates on behalf of astronomers on eight UC campuses and two national laboratories and is comprised of extensive technical facilities, a business office, telescope and support facilities at the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton. UCO provides UC's scientific and administrative interface to the Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawai'i, and the Thirty-Meter Telescope international project, and supports the training of astronomy Ph.D.'s throughout the UC system. The design and fabrication of new state-of-the-art astronomical instruments is key to the future of UC Observatories.

More information can be found at: https://ucobservatories.org/

JOB SUMMARY

The Technical Laboratories Manager serves as project manager for research instrumentation and related projects, or subsystem manager for a substantial portion of a major project within a partnership. The Technical Laboratories Manager establishes project plans, including schedule and budget. The incumbent tracks project performance toward technical and schedule milestones and budget plan, reports on project progress as required and represents UCO at project reviews and to partners and stakeholders. The Technical Laboratories Manager is responsible for planning, managing, administering, and supervising staff and facility resources. The incumbent reviews and approves recommendations for project plans, and delegates assignments to staff and subordinate managers. The Technical Laboratories Manager is involved in developing, modifying and executing policies that affect operations and working relationships with campus and external partners.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $181,150 - $225,000 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 000445 (RSCH AND DEV ENGR MGR 2)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

60% - PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Manage multiple instrumentation development projects for UC Observatories, including organization, planning, execution, validation, and risk management. Project costs can range from several thousand to 100 million dollars. Project development times can be as short as a few months to as long as a decade or more.
• Develop and maintain budgets and schedules to achieve science performance goals. Track budget and schedule throughout project lifecycles, including proposal preparation and submission, site visits, external reviews, and commissioning.
• Communicate effectively with all project stakeholders, including funding agencies, vendors and partners at US and international institutions. Coordinate effort from staff and use of facilities and other resources. Personnel used in the development of projects can include local personnel, directly supervised, matrixed employees working for other supervisors, employees working at other institutions, and contracted people, sometimes from and working in countries other than the US.
• Negotiate contracts with, and manage vendors and subcontractors.
• Work with the UCO Associate Director of Business and Administration on business and financial reporting functions in support of projects. Work with Business Office personnel to prepare reporting to public and private project sponsors, university administration, partners, observatory management, and project leadership.
• Work closely with other Project Managers and Project Leads in UCO to coordinate their project priorities and provide the resources necessary for successful project completion.
• Track progress on projects and ensure continuity of estimating and tracking between projects so that they can be properly compared. Track expenditures and progress on the development plan, reporting monthly, quarterly, and annually to UCO leadership, sponsors and partners. Prepare progress reports and present them as needed. Compute earned value when required. Identify, evaluate and retire risks as the project develops. Work with project leadership to determine and evaluate descopes to contain project cost.
• Ensure that project requirements flow down to subsystems and that the error budget is maintained. Watch for project scope growth and ensure that additional features and requirements changes can be accommodated within the project budget or are given appropriate additional funding.
• Oversee the instrument development process to ensure all the engineering disciplines, including software, are integrated throughout the lifecycle of the project.
• Contribute to long- and short-range planning for UCO. Compile and organize an overall resource plan for all projects, both current and planned, showing personnel and facility use for multiple years in the future.

30% - TECHNICAL FACILITIES MANAGER

• Manage the human and physical resources of the technical facilities, implementing the priorities of the UC Observatories (UCO) directors on a daily basis. Ensure operations of the technical facilities are running smoothly, including compliance with safety standards. Plan future development of the staff and the facilities with the directors.
• Supervise technical staff. Responsible for coaching, career development and resolving issues. Organize and facilitate staff meetings to ensure that the staff are working on the appropriate projects and that they are aware of priorities, schedules and budgets. Oversee the technical facilities staff performance management process, using the process as a tool for supporting employee development and improvement. Schedule and meet one-on-one regularly throughout the year to discuss performance with staff. Record milestones, accomplishments, successes and challenges as they occur. Recommend staff awards as appropriate.
• Work with the UCO leadership to determine human resources related decisions and recommendations following campus policies and procedures. Make recommendations and implement decisions on issues (operational and budget processes, staff FTE, finance, human resources and space planning) that have department-wide impact.

10% - PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

• Work with researchers and UCO leadership to identify and review new project opportunities, concepts, and research directions.
• Develop budget estimates and schedules for new projects, working with the staff and the project leads.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in related area.
• Experience managing technical projects in all phases, from concept through delivery, integration and testing.
• Proven experience as supervisor of technical staff.
• Thorough knowledge and skills associated with project budget planning.
• Excellent management skills associated with the oversight of planning, development, and construction of research engineering projects that span all disciplines.
• Thorough effective communication and presentation skills to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner to diverse groups.
• Excellent skills in collaboration and facilitation; effectively identifies challenges and barriers and quickly provides alternatives for resolution.
• Demonstrated advanced interpersonal skills to effectively work in partnerships and interact with senior management, peer level managers and external industry representatives on matters of significance.
• Advanced decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with systems engineering, requirements tracking and risk management.
• Ability to use MS Project to plan and track projects.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctorate in related field and /or equivalent experience.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification
• Experience with HR-related practices and procedures.
• Ability to manage research initiatives, resources and fiscal / budget in a manner to ensure goals and objectives are achieved.
• Familiarity with instrumentation used for Astronomy.
  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination