Cook - Institution jobs in Lowell, MA

• System Operations. Manage all aspects of the operation and maintenance of the OCC LANs, including network components such as routers, switches and subordinate devices. Ensure operation of critical resources 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Oversee normal system operations and data backup. Oversee analysis of anomalies ensure timely response and correction. Develop and implement configuration management systems. Assess needs for hardware and software reserves and ensure adequate supplies. Manage purchases, repairs, licenses, service contracts and inventory. Plan and schedule equipment checking. Train OCC system support staff in maintenance procedures relating to networking hardware and software configuration and protocols. Serve as a point of contact for OCC computer users requiring assistance or instruction in use of the OCC LAN. Provide system support and database management for the OCC archive; support archive backup and data safekeeping. Coordinate with systems staff of the High Energy Astrophysics Division and of the SAO Computer Facility, as well as of outside networks, to ensure proper interoperability.

• System Planning. Assist long-range planning to ensure that the OCC’s IT capabilities remain viable for the extended Chandra mission and are compatible with changes that may be imposed by external interfacing systems. Assess all aspects of network and system functionality and performance. Working largely independently, determine current and future OCC computer needs by conducting studies in areas such as LAN performance, system backup and recovery strategy and LAN security. Evaluate needs for system software. Make recommendations to the FST Manager for appropriate development of OCC computer resources. Carry out trade studies and recommend equipment and software. Interface with manufacturers of hardware and software as a point of contact for maintenance of the OCC LAN; obtain up-to-date information on available products and public domain utilities. Develop implementation plans. Assist in the management hardware and software upgrades; allocate and schedule resources and track and report progress.

• Ground Operations. Serve as the real time point of contact to provide services in operating and resolving problems that may arise with the command and control systems for the Chandra Operations Control Center (Chandra-OCC). Set up and configure the control center system to support multiple training, verification, and test configurations required to prepare for Chandra flight operations during the operations development phase of the program. Monitor the state of the OCC Data System including functions dealing with the internal interfaces and telemetry processing. Implement internal configuration changes, evaluate the impact of the changes, and translate FOT operational requirements into system or tool reconfiguration requirements. Perform systems administration and configuration control and establish interfaces with all OCC external resources required to support verification, testing, and flight operations. Support OCC system operations and develop required operations procedures for training and testing to support Chandra launch, and continued orbital operations for the duration of the program. Develop and maintain console operator procedural documentation that reflects the current implementation of the OCC Data System and FOT/console operator procedures. Train staff in new techniques and procedures as they develop.

• Deputy Security/Safety Officer Serve as the Deputy OCC Security Officer regarding matters of information technology and physical security matters with NASA and CXC. Serve as the OCC Safety Officer regarding safety matters with officials of SI, SAO, Harvard, Piedmont, and the City of Burlington, Massachusetts

• Physical Plant Management. In conjunction with the OCC’s Facility manager, Piedmont, and equipment vendors, manage the physical plant systems (air conditioning, heat, auxiliary generator, and electrical power systems) that serve the OCC’s operations and office environments.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Additional information

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, commuter benefits, health/life insurance, and accidental insurance.

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  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

• Knowledge of information technology concepts, principles, methods and practice; methods of system testing, performance evaluation and integration; principles and methods of IT security; the OCC’s mission, requirements and IT infrastructure; and developments in new technology; together with the skill to apply this knowledge to maintain the OCC’s systems and optimize their performance; recommend and install new and replacement equipment to ensure proper operation and improve overall performance; anticipate, identify and correct problems; and maintain system integrity and availability.
• Advanced knowledge and mastery of a wide range of information technology principles, practices and methods, including, knowledge of Linux and Windows operating systems and current network technologies such as Ethernet and their specific implementation on unshielded twisted-pair wire, single-mode and multi-mode fiber and current networking protocols such as TCP/IP. This also includes detailed knowledge of the implementation of these protocols on the various OCC computer platforms along with working knowledge of system programming languages such as C, Python, and shell scripts.
• Advanced knowledge of current system backup and recovery technologies.
• Knowledge and mastery of emerging technologies and their potential application to the OCC’s needs.
• Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision including planning, organizing, assigning, and reviewing work, and motivating staff along with skill in interpersonal relations and in oral and written communication.
• Advanced ability to manage physical plant systems such as emergency power generation, uninterruptible power supplies, HVAC, fire detection and suppression and of other safety principles and practices.
• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of ground operations, to be able to function as a technical expert to oversee GOT operations, practices, and procedures and support systems engineering duties along with knowledge of spacecraft operations and telemetry processing.
• Advanced ability to provide technical assistance to end users, troubleshoot issues, and resolve problems by analyzing and evaluating data to provide recommendations relating to system performance, network performance, system security, and equipment and software evaluation to determine needs of users of the system.

Your application package must include the following documents:

• Detailed resume
• School transcripts, if you are using education to qualify for the position.
• Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.