EAO/JCMT Employment Opportunities
The East Asian Observatory embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to creating a team that welcomes different backgrounds, perspectives, experience and skills. A diverse team works better, and we commit to making a working environment in which everyone feels empowered.
EAO/JCMT Finance Intern (#260624)
JOB SUMMARY: Flexible, 50%-75% Part-Time, position with the East Asian Observatory (EAO), located in Hilo, Hawai’i. Duration of internship t is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws.
Provides customer focused service to EAO and external customers. Provides support and cover to the EAO/JCMT Finance Associate with weekly pay runs, and information provided in Budget Holder reports. Assists with the RCUH and EAO timesheet process, and monthly banking/check book reconciliations. Undertakes other tasks as required.
As a condition of employment, intern will be subject to all applicable EAO policies and procedures. Violation of EAO’s policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.).
SCOPE OF POSITION:
Reports to:
EAO/JCMT Principal investigator, or their designee
EAO/JCMT Finance Administrator
Supervises: None
Budgetary and/or Fiscal Responsibilities:
- Assists with responsibility for EAO Petty Cash, maintained at $500; and
- Assists with responsibility for issuing sales invoices and managing customer accounts, ensuring prompt payment to eliminate bad debt risk.
- Assists with responsibility for correctly coding and processing EAO’s expenditure and income is correctly coded.
Signature Authorities: None
Level of Interaction: Works in an office environment as part of the EAO Administration Group. Interacts regularly with the following individuals/groups located in Hilo, Hawaii and rest of the world: EAO/JCMT Finance Associate EAO staff at all levels; staff at the Bank of Hawaii; suppliers; and customers. Must be organized and able to work in a busy work environment with close supervision. Good written and verbal skills and ability to interact effectively and deal tactfully with others. The level of interaction requires the post holder to be an effective communicator and be able to work well with others as part of a team.
Major Duties & Responsibilities
| 25% | 1. | Support for the EAO internal timesheet process; processing travel and miscellaneous expense claims for EAO staff; and reviewing payment requests of invoices relating to services for EAO staff. |
| 20% | 2. | Provides support and cover for the EAO/JCMT Finance Associate with: Project Accounting and General Ledger processes, reconciliations and queries; execution and conversion of pay file for weekly pay run; Webtimesheet Application relating to salary costing information; provision of monthly budget holder reports and year end processes. |
| 35% | 3. | Enters invoices into the Finance System for payment and receives goods/services. |
| 15% | 4. | Learn the process for EAO PO accounting. This includes reviewing accruals, closing old PO’s and raising additional amounts where necessary. Provides support to internal users of EAO Finance System and budget holders with expenditure enquiries. Assist in monitoring and maintaining petty cash. Generates EAO sales invoices. Review for action, incoming receipts and unpaid accounts. |
| 5% | 5. | Performs other duties as assigned. |
Primary Qualifications
Education/Training: Enrolled in an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree granting program.
Experience: No experience past what is acquired during pursuit of college degree is required.
Knowledge: Knowledge of office practices and procedures, including purchasing, revenue, and cash handling. Familiarity with Word, Excel, and e-mail systems. Knowledge of computerized accounting packages for both Financial and Management Accounting.
Abilities and Skills:
- Ability to operate office equipment such as computers, photo copiers, printers, and fax machines.
- Accurate computing and keyboarding skills.
- Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize own workload to meet deadlines.
It is preferred to possess a valid driver’s license and maintain throughout the duration of employment. May be required to provide a clean driver’s abstract as deemed necessary by the job requirements and/or the project. With a valid drivers license, be able to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle with manual transmission (or be able to drive these vehicles following appropriate training). If personal vehicle will be used for business purpose: Must possess proof of personal vehicle insurance and maintain throughout the duration of employment. With a valid drivers license, must also provide the EAO Human Resources Department with drivers license information and keep current throughout the duration of employment. Failure to meet this requirement or falsification of documents may result in disciplinary action including and up to termination of employment.
Post Offer/Employment Conditions: None.
Physical and/or Medical Demands: Must be capable of safe manual handling of loads up to seventy (70) pounds assisted.
SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS
Certification as Public Accountant. Experience of working in an international environment. Experience with Blackbaud software. Experience with Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH) Financial Portal software. Knowledge of Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, in particular for Accounts Payable, Cash Management and Project Accounting modules.
How To Apply: You must submit the following documents to be considered for the position: cover letter, resume, (2) supervisory references (contact details including title and email address), and a copy of any educational degrees or certifications relevant to the position. All submissions must be received by the closing date stated on the job posting via email to careers@eaobservatory.org, fax (808/961-6516) or on location at 660 N. A’ohoku Place, Hilo.
Closing Date: July 17, 2026, or until filled
EAO/JCMT Mechanical Technician Junior, I, II (#260626)
JOB SUMMARY: Regular, Full-Time (100% FTE), position with the East Asian Observatory (EAO), located in Hilo, Hawai‘i. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws.
Works in the Engineering and Technical Services Division (ETS) of the EAO and provides mechanical technical support on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) facility and at the EAO Hilo base including but not limited to: servicing and repair of high vacuum cryogenic scientific instruments, precision machining and mechanical fabrication, and execution of observatory system maintenance, mechanical repair of a wide range of facility equipment ranging from industrial machine systems to unique instrumental mechanisms, and installation of structural and mechanical improvements and modifications to instruments, observing systems, and facility buildings. Work may be required outside the normal 40-hour work week. On occasion, may assist the following partner observatory facilities with instrument or equipment servicing and upgrade support: Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA), the Submillimeter Array (SMA), and the Subaru telescopes.
As a condition of employment, employees will be subject to all applicable EAO policies and procedures. Violation of EAO’s policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.).
SCOPE OF POSITION:
Reports to:
EAO/JCMT Principal Investigator, or the designee.
EAO/JCMT Deputy Director/Head of Instrumentation and Engineering
EAO/JCMT ETIS Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor
Supervises: None
Budgetary and/or Fiscal Responsibilities: None
Signature Authorities: None
Level of Interaction: Routinely works as a member of a cross-discipline team responsible for provision of support and maintenance for all telescope and facility systems. Operates from the Hilo base, with many duties being carried out at the summit of Maunakea at 14,000 feet elevation. Receives job package objectives and required timing from EAO/JCMT Chief Engineer. Level III technicians and engineers will train, mentor, and direct the work of less experienced mechanical staff.
Major Duties & Responsibilities
| 40% | 1. | With close supervision, provides technical support for the integration, servicing, maintenance, and repair of unique high vacuum cryogenic astronomical instruments at the JCMT, telescope mechanical drive systems and structure. Responsible for the execution of appropriate maintenance and repair work as assigned. |
| 20% | 2. | With close supervision, assist with the maintenance, including preventative maintenance, routine servicing and upkeep of the Hilo base building and of any EAO vehicles, equipment and mechanical machinery within the building and grounds. |
| 20% | 3. | With close supervision, assists with troubleshooting, maintains, modifies, and repairs mechanical, structural, and machine equipment throughout the observatory facilities. When trained, must be capable of successfully working independently on systems ranging from industrial machine equipment associated with the movement of the telescope domes to precision mechanical mechanisms associated with astronomical instrumentation. |
| 10% | 4. | With close supervision, performs fabrication of structural items required for major and minor facility modifications as directed. Performs precision machining of mechanical components required in support of the integration and maintenance of astronomical instruments. |
| 5% | 5. | Performs handling and storage of materials, equipment, and furniture in support of observatory operations. Must be capable of unsupervised safe operation of an industrial forklift. |
| 5% | 6. | Performs other duties as assigned. |
Primary Qualifications
Education/Training: Associate’s Degree from an accredited community college in Machine Shop Technology or similar. Or equivalent combination of trades/skill training and demonstrated work experience sufficient to meet job requirements.
Experience:
Junior – No experience required. Must meet the Educational/Training primary qualifications.
Experience including work in the areas of structural fabrication, precision machining, high vacuum, cryogenics, and the troubleshooting and repair of industrial equipment and mechanical mechanisms. Progression job with combination of minimum experience requirements and demonstrated competence for Levels I, II, III.
Knowledge: Basic understanding of a range of mechanical processes; safe handling of a variety of mechanical tools; and understanding of basic mechanical drawings.
Abilities and Skills: Must be able to perform the following tasks independently to progress from Junior to levels I, II, III: Servicing and repair of scientific instruments. Mechanical troubleshooting and repair of equipment ranging from industrial machine systems to small instrument mechanisms. Precision machining of small mechanism parts and related components. Structural mechanical fabrication including welding and brazing a variety of materials. Capable of selecting and executing the appropriate welding technique (stick, gas, heliarc, tungsten inert gas (TIG), braze) for the assigned fabrication. Demonstrated effective verbal communication skills with colleagues across a wide range of education, ability, and cultural background.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain throughout the duration of employment. Must be able to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle (or be able to drive these vehicles following appropriate training). If personal vehicle will be used for business purpose: Must possess proof of personal vehicle insurance and maintain throughout the duration of employment. Must also provide the EAO Human Resources Department with drivers license information and keep current throughout the duration of employment. Failure to meet this requirement or falsification of documents may result in disciplinary action including and up to termination of employment.
Post Offer/Employment Conditions:
Must be able to work at 14,000 feet and pass a post offer high-altitude medical examination and maintain proof of high altitude clearance throughout the duration of employment.
Must possess the American Red Cross Certification in First Aid/CPR/AED (or be able to obtain and maintain the certificate following the training provided within three (3) months from date of hire) and maintain throughout duration of employment.
Physical and/or Medical Demands: Must be capable of safe manual handling of loads up to seventy (70) pounds assisted.
SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS
Previous work experience in an astronomical or scientific facility.
How To Apply: You must submit the following documents to be considered for the position: cover letter, resume, (2) supervisory references (contact details including title and email address), and a copy of any educational degrees or certifications relevant to the position. All submissions must be received by the closing date stated on the job posting via email to careers@eaobservatory.org, fax (808/961-6516) or on location at 660 N. A’ohoku Place, Hilo.
Closing Date: July 17, 2026, or until filled
Posted: EAO Employment Page