Lick Observatory Senior Building Maintenance Worker

THIS POSITION IS LOCATED AT LICK OBSERVATORY, MOUNT HAMILTON, CALIFORNIA (Onsite housing may be available at a nominal rent for the selected Senior Building Maintenance Worker candidate. Residents are responsible for personal utilities costs.)

The University of California Observatories (UCO) is a Multi-Campus Research Unit (MRU) funded via the University of California Office of the President, Office of Research and headquartered on the UC Santa Cruz campus. UCO operates on behalf of astronomers, researchers, postdoctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students across the UC system who are engaged in research, education and training in optical and infrared astronomy. In addition to managing the technical, physical plant and public outreach operations of the Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton, California, UCO provides the scientific and administrative liaison to the shared Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea, Hawaii and the international collaboration for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project. UCO comprises extensive scientific and technical staff and facilities at UC Santa Cruz and Lick Observatory as well as administrative and business services.

The Lick Observatory telescopes are scheduled 363 days per year, weather permitting.  Additionally, Lick hosts about 30,000 members of the public via its summer programs and casual visitors. Lick Observatory also provides year-round residential housing to employees.

Under supervision of the Facilities Supervisor, incumbent performs various semi-skilled building maintenance tasks within the visitor services and maintenance buildings, telescope domes and residential units at Lick Observatory. Additional areas of work include grounds, facilities and hazardous materials maintenance.

Initial Review Date: 9/16/2021

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Lick Observatory Laser Spotter

THIS POSITION IS LOCATED AT LICK OBSERVATORY, MOUNT HAMILTON, CALIFORNIA

The University of California Observatories (UCO) is a multi-campus astronomical research unit, with headquarters at the UC Santa Cruz campus. UCO operates the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, and the technical labs at UC Santa Cruz and UCLA, including the Laboratory for Adaptive Optics at UCSC. UCO is also a managing partner of the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii, and the center for the UC participation in the Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT) project. The mission statement for UCO includes providing UC astronomers with continuing access to world class optical and infrared facilities, the design and construction of advanced instruments the for Lick and Keck telescopes and for new facilities such as the Thirty-Meter Telescope. UCO enables forefront research in astronomy and astrophysics and provides opportunities for graduate students to pursue careers in astrophysical research.

Under the supervision of the Lick Observatory Superintendent and in accordance with UC Observatories/Lick Observatory guidelines and procedures, the incumbent surveys the night sky for possible aircraft intrusion into laser-beam restricted zone. Incumbents are responsible for accuracy and completeness of work.

Initial Review Date: 9/2/2021

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Lick Observatory Water System Monitor

THIS POSITION IS LOCATED AT LICK OBSERVATORY, MOUNT HAMILTON, CALIFORNIA

The University of California Observatories (UCO) is a multi-campus astronomical research unit, with headquarters at the UC Santa Cruz campus. UCO operates the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, and the technical labs at UC Santa Cruz and UCLA, including the Laboratory for Adaptive Optics at UCSC. UCO is also a managing partner of the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii, and the center for the UC participation in the Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT) project. The mission statement for UCO includes providing UC astronomers with continuing access to world class optical and infrared facilities, the design and construction of advanced instruments for the Lick and Keck telescopes and for new facilities such as the Thirty-Meter Telescope. UCO enables forefront research in astronomy and astrophysics and provides opportunities for graduate students to pursue careers in astrophysical research.

Under the supervision of the Lick Observatory Facilities Supervisor, the incumbent takes measurements, records data and performs various other support tasks concerning the operation of the Lick Observatory community water treatment system.

Initial Review Date: 8/23/2021

Apply here

Due to COVID-19 we are not able to carryout many of our in-person EPO programs. All large crowd events such as “Music of the Spheres” and “Evening with the Stars” events have been cancelled for the Summer 2021 season. Decisions on the smaller viewing nights will be made in late May.

Our education and public outreach (EPO) mission is to inspire deep connections with the universe. Whether you are a teacher or other science educator looking to improve your practice, or a UC researcher or student looking for EPO opportunities, we hope to connect with you through our many programs and outreach efforts.

Akamai Workforce Initiative (AWI)

The Akamai Workforce Initiative (AWI) is run by a consortium that includes ISEE and is led by the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Institute for Astronomy, the Thirty Meter Telescope, National Solar Observatory, and many Hawaii observatories, companies, academic institutions, and community organizations.

The primary goal of AWI is to build a local technical workforce that reflects the diverse demographics of the state of Hawaii. The initiative includes internships for college students, technical training, career coaching, and training for scientists and engineers to become more effective educators and mentors. AWI also played a key role in developing a new 4-year engineering technology degree program at University of Hawaii Maui College, establishing a long-term pathway for local students to pursue technical careers. The internship model used by AWI was originally developed by the Center for Adaptive Optics, and includes a range of innovative support mechanisms to advance participants into STEM careers. Participating students have been tracked for many years, and 83% have remained on a STEM pathway.

Additional information, including how to get involved, can be found at the Akamai Workforce Initiative (AWI) website.

Due to COVID-19 we are not able to carryout many of our in-person EPO programs. All large crowd events such as “Music of the Spheres” and “Evening with the Stars” events have been cancelled for the Summer 2021 season. Decisions on the smaller viewing nights will be made in late May.

We engage the local community with public telescope viewings. More than 2,400 guests visit the observatory each year for the Summer Series. Visitors have a chance to view a glimpse of the stars through two historic telescopes and listen to lectures by world-renowned astronomers. In the “Evenings with the Stars” program, we invite world-renowned astronomers to Lick Observatory for an evening with the “stars” you won’t forget.

Activities include: Astronomy talk by “star” scientists

• Viewing through the historic 36-inch Great Lick Refractor telescope
• Viewing through the 40-inch Nickel Reflector telescope
• Fascinating history talk about Lick Observatory
• After-hours gift shop access and light refreshments
• Astronomy discussions with amateur astronomers using small ground telescopes

Please note: Weather may restrict telescope viewings, but other activities will still take place.

Music of the Spheres Concerts

In this program, we bring world musicians to the summit of Mount Hamilton for a musical night to remember. Due to the popularity of the Music of the Spheres concerts

Activities include

• A concert Astronomy talk by world-renowned scientists
• Viewing through the historic 36-inch Great Lick Refractor telescope
• Viewing through the 40-inch Nickel Reflector telescope
• Astronomy discussions with amateur astronomers with small ground telescopes

Please note: Weather may restrict telescope viewings, but other activities will still take place.

The graduate workshop is held each year in the fall for astronomy students across the UC system to give students hands-on access and training with the resources and telescopes at Lick Observatory. Details for the next workshop will be posted nearer the time, dependent on Covid restrictions.

“La Noche de las Estrellas” is a special annual Lick Observatory visitors night for the Spanish-speaking community (by invitation only). Lick Observatory hosted approximately 100 high school students and family members from five nearby High Schools (Gonzales, Soledad, Salinas, Castroville, and Watsonville) for the inaugural event on Friday, September 28th, 2017. The students and family members enjoyed a Spanish-speaking evening on Mount Hamilton, featuring short lectures by renowned scientists (e.g., UCSC Astronomy Prof. Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz and Prof. Jesus Gonzales, Director of the Astronomy Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico), followed by telescope viewings after dark through Lick Observatory’s 36″ Great Refractor and 40″ Nickel telescopes. The students and their family members also had the opportunity to meet astronomers like Prof. Claire Max (UC Observatories Director), Prof. Emerita Sandra Faber (UCSC and UCO/Lick), Prof. Emeritus David Koo (UCSC and UCO/Lick), Prof. Xavier Prochaska (UCSC and UCO/Lick), and dignities from the Mexican Consulate. This special event was sponsored and made possible by: The University of California Observatories (UCO) University of California, Santa Cruz MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) U.S. National Science Foundation and Friends of Lick Observatory (FoLO). Details for the next La Noche de las Estrellas will be posted nearer the time, dependent on Covid restrictions.

Each year UCO provides funding for Faculty and Researchers with the primary goal to provide funding for instrumentation design, technology development, workshops, or other significant service activities that directly address the strategic and functional goals of UCO.

The call for proposals for the UCO Mini-Grant Program is made each August with deadlines in the end of October or early November. Please see the UCO Mini-grant Page.