The Learmonth Solar Observatory (LSO) was established by agreement between the Australian and United States Governments in October 1977. The joint operation of the Observatory is conducted by the Bureau of Meteorology as an Australian cooperating government agency, and the United States Air Force (USAF) as the United States of America cooperating government agency. The Observatory is located on North-West Cape, Western Australia and the site overlooks Exmouth Gulf to the east and Cape Range to the west. The Observatory is staffed seven days a week from sunrise to sunset by the USAF operations team, and on weekdays by the OAU staff.
The LSO hosts a multitude of instruments, including:
- a radio receiver system with three parabolic antennas to monitor solar radio flux;
- passive radio spectrograph receive antennas, which are used to monitor solar radio bursts;
- an optical telescope system and supporting infrastructure to monitor sunspots and solar activity;
- an absolute magnetometer and other geomagnetic sensors and receivers;
- a Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) solar optical telescope, which provides data for solar helioseismological studies;
- 6A ionosonde (located at the Learmonth Airport Met Office site)
Learmonth Solar Observatory is seeking an enthusiastic individual to complement the LSO team as a Technical Officer Level 3 (TO3) for a non-ongoing period of 36 months (term negotiable). The successful applicant will work in a cooperative and flexible team environment; be able to self-manage workload and work with limited supervision; have a high level of attention to detail; undertake self-driven learning in solar phenomena and on-the-job training in complex analysis and operation of the solar telescopes; and participate in a minimum of two (2) solar observations shifts per week, commencing about 30 minutes before sunrise or concluding about 20 minutes after sunset. The role cannot be undertaken remotely as on site operation of equipment which is solely located at Learmonth Solar Observatory is required.
This LSO support role works under the guidance of the LSO Technical Officer-In-Charge (TO 4) and Manage: Observing Advisory Unit. The successful applicant will also assist National Observing Operations by providing local technical, first-in maintenance and administrative support for the meteorological observing systems at the Learmonth Meteorological Station and other facilities in the area as appropriate.
You will need to have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills and assist in liaising with internal and external stakeholders, including maintaining diplomatic relations with a foreign military to a high standard and apply, as necessary, the principles and practices of the various elements of the Bureau's Diversity and Inclusion Statement of Commitment.
Training and support will be provided on the space weather infrastructure, associated systems and the Bureau's procedures to the successful applicant. You will be required to undertake shift work and will need to be available to commence work as soon as possible after selection. Experience with electronics and/or radio systems would be highly regarded.
