Undergraduate Research Associate - TXPCA Project

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 24,796 - 28,929; Part time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is seeking an Undergraduate Research Associate for the TXPCA Project. You will join a collaborative ecology team, conducting fieldwork, data collection, plant identification, data organization, and supporting conservation projects.

Work will involve outdoor field activities, social media content creation, and meeting participation. The position emphasizes teamwork and presenting findings at lab meetings and the Science

Qualifications

• Be a current UT Austin undergraduate enrolled in at least six credit hours.
• Demonstrated interest in ecology, botany, environmental science or related field.
• Experience with Canva or similar digital creation tools.
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather and as part of a team.
• Hold a valid Texas class C driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Assist with field-based data collection, lab work and data entry.
• Monitor plant conservation news and share relevant updates with TXPCA partners.
• Create social media content and coordinate posting schedules for TXPCA.
• Attend meetings and take detailed notes, assisting in summaries.
• Design outreach materials and organize digital files for accessibility.
• Present ongoing projects during lab meetings and Science Symposium.

Skills

Ecology interest

Canva experience

Teamwork

Outdoor work

Driver’s license

Job description

## Undergraduate Research Associate - TXPCA ProjectApplylocations: JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTERtime type: Part timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: R\_00047681**Job Posting Title:**Undergraduate Research Associate - TXPCA Project**----****Hiring Department:**Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center**----****Position Open To:**All Applicants**----****Weekly Scheduled Hours:**12**----****FLSA Status:**Non-Exempt from FLSA**----****Earliest Start Date:**Immediately**----****Position Duration:**Expected to Continue Until Nov 29, 2026**----****Location:**JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER**----****Job Details:**## **General Notes**The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation and cultivation of native plants through its gardens and programs. The Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden of Texas, a treasured Austin gem, and a national leader in the field of native plant education, gardening, sustainable landscapes, land restoration, plant conservation and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants, welcomes 300,000 visitors annually, has over 18,000 member households and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its popular native plant database. The Center envisions thriving, native plant landscapes everywhere that nurture wildlife, uplift communities, and ensure ecological resilience for generations.Wildflower Center staff are University of Texas at Austin employees receiving all associated benefits as well as an annual membership to the Center, discounts on Center classes, access to Wildflower Center events, and discounts at the Shop and Gallery. An inspiring, collaborative and beautiful work environment with outstanding coworkers awaits you.## **Purpose**UT Austin undergraduate students will have the opportunity to join the Wildflower Center’s science and conservation team and support our **Texas Plant Conservation Alliance (TXPCA)** ecological professional’s network. Work will be highly collaborative and will include conducting fieldwork, data collection, plant identification, data organization, outreach, and supporting other conservation projects as needed. Students must be comfortable spending time outside and working as part of a team. Tasks for the TXPCA include network meeting attendance, social media posts, data set management, informative material creation (flyers, brochures, etc.), and taking meeting notes. ## Responsibilities* Assist with research and conservation focused activities such as field-based data collection, lab work, data entry etc.* Research and monitor plant conservation news, projects, and policy updates across Texas, and compile relevant information to share with TXPCA partners on the listserv and social channels.* Create social media content and posting schedule to highlight TXPCA partner organizations, rare plant conservation news, and promote TXPCA initiatives.* Attend TXPCA quarterly meetings, Steering Committee meetings, and Working Group meetings to take detailed notes and assist in preparing meeting summaries.* Design outreach materials including digital information sheets, flyers, and other promotional resources as needed.* Assist with organizing digital files, documents, and partner resources to improve accessibility of the TXPCA partner portal.* Regular meetings with Wildflower Center mentors.* Occasional participation in outreach or community engagement events. Students will assist with tours, lessons, or educational tabling as needed.* Presentation of ongoing or completed projects during lab meeting and/or Science Symposium at end of the semester.* Other duties as assigned.## Required Qualifications* Must be a current undergraduate student at The University of Texas at Austin and meet the University's student employment eligibility requirements, including enrollment in at least six (6) semester credit hours for the long semesters (Fall/Spring), unless otherwise eligible under University policy.* Demonstrated interest in ecology, botany, environmental science, sustainability, or related field.Experience with Canva or other digital creation platforms.* Willingness to work individually and as part of a team.* Willingness to work outside in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat and humidity.* Current Texas class C driver’s license.*Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.*## **Preferred Qualifications*** Outreach and social media experience.* Research experience (field or lab).## **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. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).## **Salary**$18.00 per hour## **Working Conditions*** Fieldwork in a variety of habitats and weather conditions, including bright sun, heat, and humidity.* Comply with all safety policies, practices, and procedures. Report all unsafe activities to supervisors.## **Work Shift**Exact schedule TBD, but it will consist of 12 hours per week - preferably one full day (8 hours), and one half day (4 hours) Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.## **Required Application Materials****NOTE: Without all 3 documents listed below, we cannot consider your application.** **Please read through submittal instructions below to ensure your application is correct and complete.*** **Resume/****CV*** **Cover Letter / Letter of interest*** **3 Work References** - Reference contact information must include phone number and email address; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.**Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:** You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Your additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; *you will be able to multi-select additional files*. **Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. We will only consider complete applications.****Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:** As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page, and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.