At Gemini Observatory, the traditional employment position of telescope operator has been discarded in favor of a more
diverse and flexible position known as System Support Associate (SSA). From the very beginning, the operational
model of Gemini was designed to involve SSAs in observatory projects well beyond the strict operation of the telescope
systems. We describe the motivation behind the original model, how it was eventually implemented and how it has
evolved. We describe how the schedule allows SSAs to assume different roles within Gemini and how flexible time
allows them to participate to a wide range of projects, increasing their motivation, deepening their knowledge and
strengthening communication between groups, as well as allowing management to allocate resources to projects that
would otherwise lack manpower. We give examples of such projects and comment on the difficulties inherent in the
model.
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