What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business Operations Associate position at Caltech?
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Job Summary
The Caltech Optical Observatories (COO) Business Office is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Senior Business Operations Associate to join our dynamic team. The COO Business Office provides administrative and operational support to the COO, including the Optical/InfraRed (OIR) Instrumentation Group—a service center that designs, fabricates, and commissions innovative astronomical instruments for world-renowned observatories such as Palomar, Gemini, Keck, and the upcoming Thirty Meter Telescope.
Reporting directly to the COO Business Manager and working closely with the OIR Engineering and Procurement teams, the Senior Business Operations Associate plays a crucial role in maintaining a well-organized and productive office environment. This position requires a self-starter who can manage multiple priorities, contribute to office culture, and perform critical day-to-day administrative tasks independently and with professionalism.
The ideal candidate will have a foundational understanding of accounting principles, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to support a wide range of business operations with accuracy and discretion.
Essential Job Duties
Accounting & Financial Support:
$30.50 - $34.75 Per Hour
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.
Disability Accommodations
Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.
If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at
Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at
Job Summary
The Caltech Optical Observatories (COO) Business Office is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Senior Business Operations Associate to join our dynamic team. The COO Business Office provides administrative and operational support to the COO, including the Optical/InfraRed (OIR) Instrumentation Group—a service center that designs, fabricates, and commissions innovative astronomical instruments for world-renowned observatories such as Palomar, Gemini, Keck, and the upcoming Thirty Meter Telescope.
Reporting directly to the COO Business Manager and working closely with the OIR Engineering and Procurement teams, the Senior Business Operations Associate plays a crucial role in maintaining a well-organized and productive office environment. This position requires a self-starter who can manage multiple priorities, contribute to office culture, and perform critical day-to-day administrative tasks independently and with professionalism.
The ideal candidate will have a foundational understanding of accounting principles, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to support a wide range of business operations with accuracy and discretion.
Essential Job Duties
Accounting & Financial Support:
- Process accounts receivable (A/R) and accounts payable (A/P), including invoices, reimbursements, advances, and payment requests.
- Processing purchasing requests via P-card or purchase requisition.
- Track and resolve billing discrepancies and purchasing issues.
- Reconcile procurement card (P-Card) transactions and manage records.
- Process reimbursement requests for staff purchases and travel.
- Sales contact for Palomar Observatories Campus Gift Shop, assists Business Analyst with inventory management
- Manage daily administrative office functions, including mail, office supply inventory, copier coordination, and food/beverage programs, Caltech Help Tickets as needed.
- Maintain and organize digital filing systems (Microsoft Teams and SharePoint).
- Help to maintain the Business Office SharePoint site and provide backup support for internal business tools (e.g., PowerApps., Power Automate, Flows, Shopify, Cloudbed)
- Provide backup support for Monitor Payroll Activity (PAM) and assist with payroll-related functions.
- Coordinate logistics for meetings, interviews, and conferences—includes room scheduling, catering, attendee communications, and material preparation.
- Assist with complex domestic and international travel planning in compliance with Caltech and funding agency regulations.
- Contribute to the execution of business plans and strategic goals through schedule management, event coordination, and general administrative support.
- Familiarize yourself with Caltech’s policies and processes to ensure seamless office support.
- Collaborate with other COO Business Office staff and serve as backup support when needed.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
- Assists the Business Manager with onboarding/offboarding activities,
- Support onboarding for new team members (workspace setup, onboarding schedule, and resources).
- Participates in Business Office Orientation and provides backup support in training new hires in Business Office Tools,
- Processes guests/visitors’ paperwork in Caltech systems and submits requests for email access,
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant business administrative experience.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with a professional and collaborative demeanor.
- Ability to communicate effectively—both verbally and in writing—while maintaining confidentiality and discretion.
- Comfortable working independently and taking initiative to solve problems.
- Proficient with financial and administrative software such as QuickBooks, Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, SharePoint), Adobe Creative Cloud, UKG timekeeping system, and online productivity tools.
- 3–5 years of bookkeeping or accounting experience, including A/P, A/R, journal entries, and financial reporting using QuickBooks Online or similar platforms.
- Familiarity with Caltech systems, including Oracle, Taleo, TechMart, and CardQuest.
- Working knowledge of GAAP, GASB, FAR, and Export Compliance regulations.
- Experience in planning and managing meetings, workshops, and conferences.
- Background in supporting senior faculty, staff, or service center operations.
- Proficiency with Power Automate, Power Apps, and Flows for workflow automation.
- Proficiency with MS SharePoint and Teams.
- Experience with project management tools such as Jira, JSM, and ASANA.
- Ability to recommend and implement process improvements.
- Cover Letter
- Resume
$30.50 - $34.75 Per Hour
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.
Disability Accommodations
Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.
If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at
Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at
Salary : $31 - $35