Public Program Facilitator, McDonald Observatory Visitors Center

Phase2 Technology; Fort Davis (TX); On-site; USD 31,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory invites applications for Public Program Facilitator at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center. The role delivers guided tours, solar viewing, star parties, workshops, and livestream programs for groups of 10-500 visitors.

Responsibilities include on-site and online programs, assisting with reservations, guest services, and occasional off-site events. A strong background in public speaking and STEM outreach is preferred.

Qualifications

• Sixty undergraduate semester hours.
• Two years of experience in public speaking, conducting public activities, or in formal or informal teaching.
• Computer skills include word processing, email, presentations, and internet use.
• Ability to work as a team member, independently, and on overlapping projects.
• Position competencies include accuracy and attention to detail, decision-making and critical thinking, effective communication, initiative, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and service excellence.

Responsibilities

• Conducts and assists with implementing programs for public and private groups, both in person and online. Provides customer service and educational information to Observatory visitors and assists with community activities, special projects, events, and programs on and off-site. Assists with routine maintenance of telescope equipment, domes, and galleries. Assists with maintaining exhibits in the Visitors Center.
• Participates in a cross-functional team and works cooperatively with other staff members to complete tasks and projects. Greets and assists visitors. Assists with responding to reservation questions. Assists with the Gift Shop when needed. Performs janitorial and other related duties as needed.

Skills

Public speaking

Teaching experience

Computer skills

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Sixty undergraduate semester hours

Job description

Public Program Facilitator, McDonald Observatory Visitors Center

Hiring Department: McDonald Observatory

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: MCDONALD OBSERVATORY

General Notes

The McDonald Observatory isa majorastronomicalresearchobservatory located 16 miles from Fort Davis, Texas (440 miles from the UT Austin campus). This position is located at McDonald Observatory, Frank N. Bash Visitors Center. The Visitors Center is open five days per week, Tuesday through Saturday, and requires a variable work schedule to meet business needs.

The University of Texas at Austin provides an outstanding benefits package to staff. For more details, please seehttps://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefitsandhttps://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards.

• Competitive health benefits (Employee premiums covered at 100%; family premiums at 50%)
• Vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas (a defined benefit retirement plan)
• Additional voluntary retirement programs: tax-sheltered annuity 403(b) and a deferred compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses

Purpose

This position supports and advances the education and public outreach mission of McDonald Observatory and The University of Texas at Austin. Public Program Facilitators deliver content for programs including guided tours, solar viewing, star parties, special viewing, workshops, and livestream programs. Facilitators lead in-person evening and daytime programs for groups of 10-500 visitors and on-camera livestream programs for thousands of viewers. Program Facilitators also assist with community activities, special projects, events, and programs on and off-site.

Responsibilities

• Conducts and assists with implementing programs for public and private groups, both in person and online. Provides customer service and educational information to Observatory visitors and assists with community activities, special projects, events, and programs on and off-site. Assists with routine maintenance of telescope equipment, domes, and galleries. Assists with maintaining exhibits in the Visitors Center.
• Participates in a cross-functional team and works cooperatively with other staff members to complete tasks and projects. Greets and assists visitors. Assists with responding to reservation questions. Assists with the Gift Shop when needed. Performs janitorial and other related duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Sixty undergraduate semester hours.
• Two years of experience in public speaking, conducting public activities, or in formal or informal teaching.
• Computer skills include word processing, email, presentations, and internet use.
• Ability to work as a team member, independently, and on overlappingprojects.
• Position competencies include accuracy and attention to detail, decision-making and critical thinking, effective communication, initiative, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and service excellence.

An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of STEM education outreach experience.
• Experience working in a museum, nature preserve, or similar facility.
• Interest in amateur astronomy, knowledge of the night sky, and the ability to identify major constellations.
• Two or more years of experience with amateur or professional telescopes.
• Experience and/or comfort with appearing on camera and co-hosting livestreams for public and K-12 audiences.
• 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

$36,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Combination of standard office, classroom, theater, outdoor, and scientific/industrial environments.
• Working in low-light conditions, assisting guests in looking through telescopes.
• Operation of telescopes of varying sizes, requiring manual dexterity.
• Year-round exposure to variable and sometimes extreme weather conditions, such as sub-freezing temperatures, wind, dust, extreme heat, rain, hail, snow, and ice. Temperatures can range from -10F to +100F.
• Winter weather requires comfort with driving in wintry conditions on mountain grades.
• High-altitude work environment. McDonald Observatory is approximately 6900 ft. above sea level.
• May work around mechanical hazards.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Climbing stairs and/or ladders.
• Lifting and moving 20+ lbs.

Work Shift

• The Visitors Center is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday.
• Hours vary and include weekends, evenings, and some holidays.
• Occasional overnight travel for outreach events and conferences.

Required Materials

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• List of three (3) professional references

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). 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.