Astronomers Lodge Manager, McDonald Observatory

University of Texas; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 51,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Retirement benefits

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin seeks an Astronomers Lodge Manager for McDonald Observatory. The role oversees lodge operations, staff supervision, billing, and guest services for a remote observatory site with weekend/evening hours and travel as needed.

The position requires supervisory experience in hospitality or facilities, budgeting skills, and strong communication. It provides a competitive benefits package and a chance to contribute to a premier astronomical research facility.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree preferred in Hospitality Management or related field.
• At least two years of supervisory experience.
• Six years custodial maintenance or related building services.
• Familiarity with THLA rules and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Prepares reservation and billing paperwork for guests and maintains reservations in WebRez.
• Responds promptly to travel documents, rooming requests, and inquiries via email/phone.
• Maintains room and key assignments per policy and participates in maintenance planning.
• Oversees custodial, housekeeping, and building services; supports renovation projects.
• Maintains food manager’s certificate and compliance with related requirements.
• Assists with financial reporting, cash handling, and revenues tracking.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Hospitality management

Budgeting

Office management software

Property management software

Customer service

Education

Associate's degree

Tools

Spreadsheets

Word processing

Email

Property management software

Job description

Astronomers Lodge Manager, McDonald Observatory

Hiring Department: McDonald Observatory

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: MCDONALD OBSERVATORY

Job Details: General Notes The Astronomers Lodge Manager provides leadership, operational and business management, and staff supervision for the McDonald Observatory Astronomers Lodge and the David G. Booth Director's House. This position is based at the McDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains and is a major astronomical research observatory 16 miles from Fort Davis, Texas (440 miles from the UT Austin campus). Hours include weekends and evenings as needed. Travel may be required. Position may be subject to "call-back" as an essential employee for emergencies or critical response. This position reports to the executive assistant in the Superintendent's office and works closely with the Austin Business Office. The observatory fosters an environment that emphasizes personal responsibility, continuous improvement, teamwork, innovation, and safety.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage.
• Retirement contributions: Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• Paid holidays.

Purpose This position provides leadership, operational and business management, and staff supervision for the McDonald Observatory Astronomers Lodge (AL) and the David G. Booth Director’s House, and other external units, all used for temporary quarters. This includes directing custodial, maintenance, and building services activities, including general cleaning, building maintenance and repair, reservation system, billing and invoicing, and kitchen assistance for an 18-unit lodge.

Responsibilities

Operations:

• Prepares reservation and billing paperwork for guests and maintains reservations in WebRez.
• Responds promptly to travel documents, rooming requests, and email and telephone inquiries, and initiates confirmation letters.
• Maintains room and key assignments in accordance with State, university, and observatory policies.
• May perform general facility maintenance and/or ensure that Physical Plant is notified and that maintenance and repair needs are completed.
• Participates in renovation planning and implementation.
• Maintains a food manager’s certificate and complies with other requirements.

Business Management:

• Prepares and submits financial reports.
• Responsible for cash handling and receipt maintenance for reservation services.
• Provides information and data for interdepartmental transfer (IDT) paperwork and weekly deposits.
• Batches out the credit card machine.
• Logs expenditures and prepares direct billing paperwork for processing.
• Provides data for the weekly revenue report.
• Maintains cash flow reports.
• Prepares orders for general supplies for Astronomers Lodge and the David G. Booth Director's house.
• Maintains an inventory listing of all supplies, including pantry items, to-go items, linens, furnishings, cleaning supplies, etc.

Supervision:

• Supervises lodge support staff and staff performing services in cleaning, housekeeping, laundry, cooking, preventive and general maintenance, reservations, and customer service.
• Create menus, schedules, checklists, cleanliness standards, and inspections, and prioritizes work for the team.
• Helps anticipate and identify issues and areas for improvement and produce viable, logical solutions.
• Reviews the work of and trains housekeeping and kitchen staff on proper standards and procedures.

Staff Support:

• Serves as a working supervisor and an integral member of the support team.
• As needed, performs typical team member tasks, including meal preparation and service, housekeeping, general and preventive maintenance, general cleaning, event support.
• Performs other duties as assigned to meet the business needs.

Required Qualifications Associate's degree, preferred in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field, a minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience, and six (6) years custodial maintenance work or related building services Experience using building maintenance tools and equipment Familiarity with Texas Hotel and Lodging Association (THLA) rules and regulations, Experience with managing resale inventory and budgets. Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills, including online only working relationships. Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to task switch and multitask. Ability to be adaptable, work independently, and as an integral member of a team. Ability to learn new tasks independently. Proficient computer literacy skills, especially with office management tools (i.e., spreadsheets, word processing, email) and property management software. Demonstrable good judgement. Regular and punctual attendance.

Competencies: Conflict Management, Decision Making and Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Planning: Tactical, Strategic, Problem Solving, Relationship Management, Service Excellence. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's hospitality management, business administration, or a related field. Experience in business and fiscal management. Knowledge of UT or State systems, policies, and/or procedures is a plus. Proficiency in Spanish.

Driving Required This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three-year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.

Salary Range $50,500 + depending on experience and qualifications

Working Conditions Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished) Work in all weather conditions and in extreme temperatures Work at nighttime in remote locations Work around standard office conditions. Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Use of manual dexterity Lift, pushes, and pulls up to 50 pounds Climbing of stairs. Climbing of ladders May require working extended hours May work around chemical fumes, bio-hazards, and around hazardous chemicals. May work around electrical and mechanical hazards Use of approved safety equipment is required McDonald Observatory is located at approx. 6900 ft. above sea level. Environmental conditions can be unpredictable; temperatures can range from -10°F to +95°F Inclement winter weather can be expected, which requires comfortable driving in wintry conditions on mountain grades

Shift Generally, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., rotating weekends as necessary. Work hours vary based on lodging operations and reservations and include evening, weekend, and holiday hours as needed. May be required to respond to emergency calls during off-duty hours. Occasional travel may be required.

Employment Eligibility Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and if this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

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Comments and Inquiries Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone]. UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus.