Senior Coordinator, Administrative Operations (Safford, AZ)

Phase2 Technology; Safford (AZ); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (medical, dental, and

Life insurance and disability

Tuition reduction for employee and +2

Retirement plans

Job summary

University of Arizona LBTO seeks a Senior Coordinator, Administrative Operations to oversee daily administrative and financial activities for the Observatory and related entities in Safford, AZ. You will ensure policies are followed, coordinate procurement, accounts payable, and office services, and support international research partnerships.

The role requires attention to detail, strong organization, and collaboration with internal and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent learning/experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience with MS Office, Google Workspace, and Adobe products.
• Ability to drive according to the Fleet Safety Policy.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates the daily administrative operations and research activities of the Observatory.
• Implements administrative policies to improve efficiency and service.
• Manages offices, bedrooms and kitchen facilities usage and maintenance.
• Maintains financial records for multiple funding sources and audits.
• Handles complex supply and equipment orders and international freight coordination.
• Supports vehicle fleet scheduling and reporting to UA Motorpool and State agencies.
• Performs financial transactions, ensuring compliance and proper documentation.
• Supports asset management and inventory in financial systems.
• Assists with event planning and logistics for meetings and trainings.

Skills

Excellent customer service

Strong organizational skills

Written and verbal communication

Business principles knowledge

Teamwork and independence

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Adobe products

Job description

Senior Coordinator, Administrative Operations (Safford, AZ)

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona's Large Binocular Telescope Observatory invites you to apply to the role of Senior Coordinator, Administrative Operations. The successful candidate coordinates the daily administrative and financial operations of the Observatory to ensure goals and objectives are accomplished in accordance and within established policies, guidelines, and priorities. This includes administering procurement, accounts payable, and office support for the day to day operations and research activities of the Observatory including the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory and the Large Binocular Telescope Corporation, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit that sponsors the Observatory. They will require attention to detail, ability to prioritize, and a strategic focus while working within the team and with internal and external collaborators. Work is carried out at the LBT Observatory at the summit of Mt Graham and at Mount Graham International Observatory offices in Safford, Arizona.

The Large Binocular Telescope Observatory (LBTO), headquartered at the University of Arizona, operates the Large Binocular Telescope in southeastern Arizona at an elevation of 3,200 meters. With two 8.4-meter telescopes working together and advanced adaptive optics and interferometric capabilities, the LBT provides exceptional sensitivity, high angular resolution, and an effective aperture comparable to a 23-meter telescope. As an international partnership, LBTO has a dual mission to deliver world-class scientific capabilities as a leading 8-meter-class observatory while pioneering technologies and capabilities for the next generation of Extremely Large Telescopes, supporting research across the full spectrum of modern astrophysics.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work assignment in conversation with the supervisor.

Benefits

Outstanding U of A benefits include

• health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• life insurance and disability programs
• paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members
• retirement plans
• access to U of A recreation and cultural activities
• and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please.

Duties & Responsibilities

Administrative Duties

• Coordinates the daily administrative operations and research activities of the Observatory.
• Implements administrative policy and procedures to enhance operations and service efficiencies, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Coordinates utilization and maintenance of Observatory offices, bedrooms and kitchen facilities.
• Maintains financial and administrative records for variety of funding sources for audit purposes.
• Manages complex supply and equipment orders for the Observatory.
• Helps coordinate international freight for research equipment.
• Supports the fleet of vehicles including scheduling use and maintenance, preparing monthly and annual reports to UA Motorpool and State agencies.

Financial Duties

• Utilizes internal university systems, performs and monitors daily financial transactions to coordinate purchasing, initiate payments, manage assets, and accurately book expenses.
• Reviews transactions and their associated documentation to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ensures completion of necessary documentation for expenditures, deposits and correcting entries.
• Supports unit asset management and inventory in financial systems. Interprets financial policies to ensure regulatory compliance and provides staff with guidance regarding financial questions.
• Participates in implementation of new financial and operational tools and protocols to streamline functionality and improve efficiencies.
• Analyzes financial data to provide recommendations for operational improvements.

Other Duties

• Time coordinator for observatory staff timesheets.
• Assists with tracking inventory of parts and supplies in electronic asset management system.
• Input observatory inventory data, monitor inventory in relation to threshold requirements, generate orders for new supplies and parts, input and evaluate maintenance data, and generate reports with recommendations on maintenance activity and task lists.
• Oversee event planning for meetings and trainings, coordination of meeting space and logistics.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent customer service skills.
• Proactive in monitoring tasks and take prompt actions to complete work.
• Strong organizational skills to effectively manage time, prioritize tasks, set goals, and develop systems to achieve them.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge and use of business principles, theories and concepts.
• Work efficiently and effectively both independently and as part of the team.
• Demonstrate honesty and integrity, as well as being flexible and adaptable to a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Working knowledge of the University's accounting policies, procedures, and practices.

Physical/Environmental Requirements

• Ability to travel three days per week to the observatory site and carry out work functions while at the summit elevation of 10,500 feet.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel), Google Workspace, and Adobe products.
• Ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field.
• Experience in office setting.

FLSA

Exempt

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week

40

Job FTE

1.0

Work Calendar

Fiscal

Job Category

Organizational Administration

Benefits Eligible

Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay

DOE

Compensation Type

salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade

8

Compensation Guidance

The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level

PC2

Job Family

Administrative Operations

Job Function

Organizational Administration

Type of criminal background check required

Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies

1

Contact Information for Candidates

Patrick Hartley
LBTO Observatory Manager
[e-mail]

Open Date

8/26/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume and Cover Letter

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures. Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].