Social Science/Humanities Research Professional (Part-Time) (Hourly) -CallCenterSpecialist - Texa

University of Texas; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing is seeking a part‑time Social Science/Humanities Research Professional to serve as a Call Center Specialist on the TXFYN program. The role provides front‑line information, referrals, and trauma‑informed support to current and former foster youth from a Texas-wide network.

The position requires strong communication, confidential handling of information, and the ability to work 20 hours per week with shifts including afternoons and rotating Saturdays.

Qualifications

• Lived experience in foster care.
• Experience in customer service, peer support, human services, youth services, call center operations, information and referral, or a related service environment.
• Must be reliable, including consistent attendance, punctuality, responsiveness, follow‑through on assigned responsibilities, and timely communication when circumstances affect work obligations.
• Accountable for assigned responsibilities, follow through on referrals and follow‑up activities.
• Communicate barriers promptly, and ensure time‑sensitive issues are addressed or appropriately handled.
• Familiarity with trauma‑informed, youth‑centered approaches and ability to learn and apply them.

Responsibilities

• Respond to and support youth and community contacts via calls, texts, chats, and other contacts with accurate, timely information and referrals.
• Build rapport with youth through consistent follow‑up and maintain ownership of open contacts and referrals.
• Assist youth in navigating resources, completing referrals, and addressing barriers to services.
• Provide trauma‑informed, youth‑centered communication and maintain professional boundaries.
• Follow escalation protocols and seek support from leadership as needed.
• Document contacts and referrals accurately in iCarol and other systems, maintaining confidentiality.

Skills

Customer service

Trauma‑informed approach

Verbal and written communication

Microsoft Office

Time management

Education

Bachelor's Degree or coursework in related field

Tools

iCarol CRM

Job description

Social Science/Humanities Research Professional (Part-Time) (Hourly) - Call Center Specialist - Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing

Hiring Department: Office of the Associate Dean for Research

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 20

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Dec 01, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Sep 30, 2027

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details: General Notes

This is a grant-funded position and reassignment will be based upon performance, progress toward research goals and continuation of funding. Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis for any employer without sponsorship. Ability to work remotely within the State of Texas. Position is 20 hours/week. May be required to work evening or weekend hours as needed for coverage, training, or other operational needs. Position is 20 hours/week. Call Center hours are Monday - Friday - Shifts between the hours of 12pm-9pm with Rotating Saturdays - 12pm-3pm.

Purpose

This position will provide front‑line information, support, and referral services to current and former foster youth through the Texas Foster Youth Network (TXFYN) Call Center, responding to calls, texts, chats, and other contacts with accurate, timely, and compassionate assistance. Specialists work under the daily guidance of the Call Center Assistant Manager and receive real‑time operational guidance and support from Call Center Leads assigned to their shifts.

Responsibilities

• Respond to and support youth and community contacts. Answer calls, texts, chats, and other contacts from current and former foster youth, caregivers, foster parents, teachers, and community members with accurate, timely, and compassionate information, support, and referrals.
• Establish and build rapport with youth through consistent, respectful follow‑up. Complete assigned follow‑up activities within established timelines. Maintain ownership of open contacts and referrals and communicate promptly when a barrier prevents timely completion.
• Assist young people in navigating available resources, completing appropriate referrals, and addressing barriers to accessing services. Report concerns, service issues, and outdated resource information to Call Center leadership to support the accuracy and reliability of referral resources.
• Provide trauma‑informed, youth‑centered communication. Promote safety, trust, transparency, dignity, and professional boundaries. Respond to trauma‑related disclosures without judgment or unnecessary pressure.
• Follow protocols for escalation and emergencies. Apply Texas Foster Youth Network (TXFYN) policies, approved call flows, and referral practices consistently. Recognize situations requiring de‑escalation, consultation, escalation, emergency response and follow the established escalation protocol by promptly seeking support from the Call Center Lead or designated TXFYN leadership.
• Document accurately and protect confidentiality. Document contacts, referrals, follow‑up, and risk flags objectively and on time in iCarol and other approved systems. Maintain confidentiality in accordance with TXFYN policies and applicable law. Participate in training, coaching, and quality assurance. Apply feedback to strengthen your skills, and remain flexible to changing call volume, procedures, and program needs.

Required Qualifications

• Lived experience in foster care.
• Relevant experience in customer service, peer support, human services, youth services, call center operations, information and referral, or a related service environment.
• Must be reliable, including consistent attendance, punctuality, responsiveness, follow‑through on assigned responsibilities, and timely communication when circumstances affect work obligations.
• Accountable for assigned responsibilities, follow through on referrals and follow‑up activities.
• Communicate barriers promptly, and ensure time‑sensitive issues are addressed or appropriately handled.
• Familiarity with or ability to learn trauma‑informed, youth‑centered, choice‑centered, and strengths‑based approaches tailored to each caller's individual circumstances.
• Ability to remain calm, organized, and responsive during difficult or rapidly changing situations and use of sound judgment to recognize when de‑escalation, escalation, or emergency response is needed.
• Follow approved policies, procedures, call flows, and documentation protocols.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive personal information appropriately.
• Willingness to learn, receive feedback and coaching, apply new skills, and take responsibility for continued professional growth.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to be flexible with strong prioritization and time‑management skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Values the contributions of others in the work environment.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree, or college coursework, in human services, social work, psychology, communications, or a related field.
• Located within the Austin or Central Texas area.
• Experience in a call center, contact center, hotline, helpline, information and referral service, peer support program or similar environment.
• Experience working with youth, young adults, current or former foster youth, or individuals navigating multiple service systems.
• Knowledge of customer relationship management (CRM) or case management databases, including iCarol or similar information and referral platforms.
• Knowledge of Texas programs, resources, and systems that serve current and former foster youth.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English.
• Located within the Austin or Central Texas area.

Salary Range

$21 - $25 per hour at 20 hours per week - depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Ability to work remotely within the State of Texas.

Work Shift

• Monday - Friday - Shifts between the hours of 12pm-9pm
• Rotating Saturdays - 12pm-3pm (May be required to work evening or weekend hours as needed for coverage, training, meetings, or other operational needs)
• 20 hours per week

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

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.