Job Summary

LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilled Technical Cleaner / General Laborer to join its team. LIGO is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to gravitational wave astronomy and astrophysics, jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The current generation of advanced interferometers came on line in 2015 and shortly afterwards LIGO launched the field of gravitational wave astronomy with the first observation of the birth of a black hole; this achievement led to the awarding of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics to its founders. LIGO consists of two widely separated (3,002 km), 4 kilometer-long interferometers operating as a single, phased detector. One (LIGO Hanford Observatory) is located north of Richland, Washington and the other (LIGO Livingston Observatory) is in Livingston, Louisiana. Concurrent to observatory operations, the Laboratory maintains a vigorous R&D program, primarily centered at the Caltech and MIT campuses, to further enhance the capabilities of the LIGO detectors. For more information, please visit the Laboratory website at http: \\www.ligo.caltech.edu .”

The successful candidate will be a member of the Facilities Group. This position will be a part of the maintenance staff and report to the Facilities Team Lead. The maintenance staff is responsible for all of the day to day maintenance and repair of the entire Observatory and support buildings. This position requires an understanding of and compliance with cleanroom protocols and laser safety procedures. The successful candidate will work under general supervision and will be required to use a variety of tools and techniques of facilities maintenance services to work on semi-routine assignments where good judgment is required to properly maintain the LIGO buildings and site and ensure that they are in proper working order and safe.

Job Duties

• Applies basic skills in Technical Cleaning Services and selects from standard procedures, techniques, tools, materials, and equipment appropriate to accomplish tasks. This work will be completed in the Electronics Lab, Mechanical Lab, Vacuum Lab and Vacuum Equipment Areas which are clean room environments. This requires special care to assure the safety of highly technical equipment. In particular, the candidate must be extremely careful working around optic tables, electronic test equipment, electronic control equipment and computing equipment
• Will be required to use techniques and tools needed to perform routine support functions including but, not limited to minor plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work
• Work results will have an impact on quality and workflow within the department and the Observatory as a whole
• Interacts daily with functional peer group and supervisors
• Maintain several cleanrooms around the site and several Class 100 cleanroom areas. This requires working in cleanroom conditions, using appropriate equipment and garb
• Required to operate a mobile man lift and scissor lift as required to access and clean some components of the cleanrooms and cleanroom areas
• Will be required to be certified in the use of forklift and pallet jacks needed to unload/load delivery trucks and store stock and freight
• Will be required to assist the HVAC technician with the maintenance and repair of mechanical systems around the site
• Will be required to be certified in the use of man lifts needed to pressure wash the exterior of buildings and storage tanks
• Provide cleanroom support during vacuum chamber entries
• Will be required to assist with chamber door removal/installations
• Will be required to collect, handle, and properly dispose of contaminated and sometimes flammable trash
• Replace HEPA filter units and softwall cleanroom components when needed
• Responsible for collecting dirty garb at all site garbing areas and keep these areas stocked with clean garb.  Also, responsible for sorting and making ready for shipping, dirty garb to be sent to the cleaners
• Under the direction of the Facilities Team Lead, will be required to back up shipping and receiving personnel when needed to help with the receiving, logging, sorting, and distributing received packages
• Assists in pest control measures for facilities including fire ant control, mice removal, treat for bug infestation in building, snake removal
• Will complete additional tasks as required
• Applies basic knowledge of policies and practices to assignments

Basic Qualifications

• The candidate must have a minimum of High School Diploma or equivalent experience
• Must have a least 1 year of related work experience
• The candidate must have excellent organizational skills, a high level of initiative, and the ability to work in a collaborative environment and maintain a professional demeanor
• Must have the ability to interact daily with functional peer group and supervisors
• Must have good communication skills, written and verbal, and be able to communicate with people who have a broad range of backgrounds and skills
• Must have an aptitude and enthusiasm to learn new skills, and to assist and train others
• Must be safety oriented
• Must have a valid driver’s license at the time of employment and be able to maintain it throughout the course of employment
• Must have the ability to lift 20 or more pounds of office supplies and equipment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience required in Technical Cleaning services that can be applied once trained in the Observatory’s Contamination Control Procedures and Best Practices
• Knowledge of techniques and tools needed to perform minor plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work
• Experience required in planning and scheduling work tasks
• Knowledge of hand tools, cleaning products, and equipment (e.g. vacuum, minor plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work, hand trucks, etc.)
• Candidate should able to use basic computer skills needed to complete electronic time card, reports, and emails, etc.
• Knowledge of clean room protocols
• Experience required in an academic or laboratory administrative setting
• Experience required working in a team environment

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter