Yes, well fortunately you don't have to be a genius to operate Hubble (or Keck, or Arecibo, or New Horizons, or SOHO, etc etc), because there are lots and lots of highly skilled technicians to do that for you!
Everyone does have their niche, and as in any field from ditch-diggers to brain surgeons there are the 'punters' and the 'achievers'! But I'd bet a dollar that even the lowest-level pro astronomer doing his/her daily grind has some pet project or dream that if only he/she could get funding, a bit of decent telescope time, then...... It's the nature of professions, and I suppose ultimately the nature of us all.
Sorry to take you away from your thread DJ - promise I won't reply again. I look forward to many more responses to your questions!
Cheers -