Office Administrator

Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) has an immediate opening for an Office Administrator at our Headquarters in Waimea (Kamuela), Hawaiʻi, USA. We are looking for a highly organized, service-oriented professional with a background in office administration and a genuine enthusiasm for supporting a dynamic, multicultural team.

CFHT offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a generous benefit package that includes medical/dental insurance, 21 days paid vacation, a defined-contribution retirement plan, and tuition support for dependent minors.

CFHT operates a world-class astronomical observatory on the summit of Maunakea on the island of Hawaiʻi, providing outstanding scientific data to a worldwide community of researchers. Our headquarters team in Waimea is a close-knit, collaborative group that takes pride in supporting the telescope's mission while being deeply connected to the local community. If you're looking for meaningful work in a unique environment - we say 'mahalo' for your interest!

This is a broad and varied role that sits at the heart of our headquarters operations. Your essential duties will include:

• Managing front-office operations, including reception, visitor coordination, mail handling, phone routing, and general office support.
• Providing administrative support across all departments, including scheduling, document management, and coordination of company events and meetings.
• Managing the full procurement cycle - from requisitions and sourcing through to purchase orders and vendor management - in compliance with internal approval processes.
• Coordinating inbound and outbound shipping, including freight booking, customs clearance, insurance, and tracking.
• Arranging end-to-end travel for staff and visitors, including bookings, expense reports, and compliance with company travel policy.
• Overseeing scheduling and maintenance of the company apartment and supporting logistics for hosted visitors.
• Providing backup support for accounts payable and overseeing office systems, equipment, and service providers.
• Supporting internal staff services such as telecom, staff physicals, and cold-weather gear.
• Ensuring compliance with safety policies and contributing to a collaborative, service-oriented work environment.

To be successful in this role, you should bring:

• Two years of college coursework in administration, business, or a related field, plus at least three years of hands-on office administration experience.
• Proficiency in Windows, MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, and general PC file management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across diverse teams and external partners.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, with a collaborative, team-oriented mindset and solid problem-solving ability.
• A highly organized, detail-oriented approach, with the ability to prioritize, multitask, and meet competing deadlines independently and under pressure.

The following are not required, but will make your application stand out:

• Familiarity with 'Ōlelo Hawaiʻi and an understanding of Hawaiʻi cultural and community context.
• Knowledge of freight shipping procedures and customs regulations.
• Experience in procurement support, travel administration, and/or event planning.

In addition to your skills and experience, we're looking for someone who is:

• Trustworthy, dependable, and discreet - this role involves exposure to sensitive organizational information.
• Friendly, approachable, and genuinely service-oriented, with a positive attitude and a desire to make things run smoothly for everyone around them.
• Respectful of the diversity of the CFHT team and the broader community, including the cultural significance of Maunakea to the Native Hawaiian people.
• Willing to be flexible and pitch in where needed - no two days are quite the same!

A couple of things we'd like you to know:

Work Location

This position is based at CFHT Headquarters in Waimea (Kamuela), Hawaiʻi. It is an on-site role and is not eligible for remote work. The position is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CFHT is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO), and all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

Multicultural Practices

CFHT is located on the island of Hawaiʻi (also known as 'The Big Island'), and our observatory is located on Maunakea. Maunakea is culturally significant to the Native Hawaiian people, and CFHT conducts all operations with the utmost respect for our historic and unique location. All CFHT employees are expected to treat Maunakea with respect and to acknowledge the privileged position they hold while being present on Maunakea.