Astro Lab Manager at FIU FL

(reposted)
The Department of Physics (physics.fiu.edu) at Florida International University invites applications for a position of Astronomy Lab Manager to begin February 4, 2013. Candidates with a Master’s degree will be given special consideration. A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Astronomy or related area is also preferred. Candidates should have experience in astronomy and possess organizational and supervisory skills, and be familiar with pedagogical methods. The successful candidate will be in charge of the introductory astronomy laboratories, including updating, maintaining, and implementing laboratory exercises, training and supervising graduate teaching assistants, and providing oversight of the laboratory sections taught by graduate teaching assistants. Familiarity with telescopes and related equipment is desired. Interested candidates should apply online at http://careers.fiu.edu and reference Position No. 505207. Please include a resume or curriculum vitae, contact information for three potential references, and a statement describing relevant experience. Review of applications will begin on December 16, 2012 and continue until the position is filled. Additional duties include, but are not limited to:
• Operates, repairs and performs routine maintenance on observatory equipment including telescopes, eyepieces, filters and CCD cameras. Maintains an inventory of lab equipment.
•Develops and fabricates astronomy-related educational demonstration materials.
•Supervises the operation and arranges the schedule of the student observatory during night time observing hours. Answers students' questions regarding the astronomy lab courses. Ensures that messages for night labs are recorded daily by the specified time.
•Coordinates the teaching assignments of the teaching assistants each semester. Trains TAs on the use of telescopes and on identifying objects in the night sky. Instructs and prepares physics TAs on teaching astronomy indoor labs. Ensures that all TAs use a consistent set of policies and procedures regarding labs. Performs TA evaluations.
•Prepares and processes paperwork associated with the outdoor labs.
•Orders and stores all equipment, and maintains contacts with equipment vendors. Monitors the equipment budget and prepares an annual report for the Chair. Maintains computers and lab equipment and selects and installs new software. Stays up to date on new products and developments.
•Creates lab manuals, stays up to date with the revision process. This includes selection of and working with the publisher and an editor and following the manuals from rough draft to final printing. Orders the manuals for the bookstore.
•Organizes regular meetings with the TAs and adjuncts to provide an opportunity to express concerns about and give suggestions for the laboratory exercises.
•Adapts labs to the new state of the art laboratory facility in the Stocker AstroScience Center.
•Conducts trial teaching of astronomy laboratories to graduate TAs and adjuncts for training purposes, or to test new exercises to see where deficiencies are and to provide input for lab manual improvements or revisions. Works on converting the manuals to electronic versions. Regularly attends labs taught by TAs to critique their teaching and give them ideas on better teaching methods and material comprehension.
•Maintains astronomy lab Web pages on both Apple and Windows operating systems.
•Assists astronomy faculty in improvement and refurbishment of astronomy labs. Provides support for observatory improvements.
•Assists in organizing and provides technical support for public outreach programs.
•Assists in organizing and provides technical support for public programs, open houses and special observatory tours.
•Provides support to the student astronomy group in the maintenance of its web page.
•Performs related duties as required or as directed. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications:
•Ability to work some evening work schedules as late as 11:00 pm.
Desired Qualifications:
•Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s preferred.
•Previous experience in a physics laboratory.
•Working knowledge of Astronomy.
Salary: $39,000-$44,000, commensurate with experience.
For more information or to apply, please visit us at careers.fiu.edu and reference Job Opening ID# 505207.
FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida and is an Equal Opportunity, Equal Access Affirmative Action Employer.