Fleet & Equipment Mechanic, McDonald Observatory

Job Posting Title:

Fleet & Equipment Mechanic, McDonald Observatory

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Hiring Department:

McDonald Observatory

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

MCDONALD OBSERVATORY

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Job Details:

General Notes

The McDonald Observatory is a major astronomical research observatory located 16 miles from Fort Davis, Texas (440 miles away from The University of Texas at Austin campus). This position is located at McDonald Observatory. This position reports to the Technical Trades Crew Leader and the Assistant Physical Plant Manager as required. The position includes variable scheduling with some holiday rotation. Residence in the Observatory's residential community may be available. The position is considered an essential employee for emergency or critical response.

The University of Texas at Austin provides an outstanding benefits package to staff, including: 

• 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 

For more details, please see https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards. 

Purpose

Perform day-to-day technical trades skills in the maintenance, repair, fabrication, and operations of a remote research facility, and perform skilled work in an electrical, mechanical, and HVAC environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and repairs automotive, truck, and diesel equipment. Assists with carpentry and general residential maintenance, including but not limited to concrete work, structure repair, drywall, painting, appliance servicing, and plumbing.

• Troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining commercial facilities' electrical and HVAC systems, residential structures, elevators, and telescope enclosure buildings. General maintenance on telescope dome systems and infrastructures, mechanical and hydraulic systems.

• Performs preventative maintenance tasks incidental to operating mechanical and electrical equipment, systems, and residential structures. Maintains logs and records on equipment. Inspects, lubricates, and troubleshoots equipment. Informs supervision of conditions.

• Assists with welding of mild steel, stainless, and aluminum, as well as torch welding, cutting, and brazing on various mechanical equipment and structures. Assists with fabrication and precision machining of metal parts and equipment using metal lathes, milling machines, and drill presses. Ability to interpret three-dimensional assemblies from two-dimensional drawings, knowledge of material properties.

• Helps co-workers as necessary in their various disciplines in a team-oriented environment. Performs additional tasks as assigned. Drives a UT vehicle. According to UT policy, we maintain professionalism in interacting with the public, our fellow workers, and in our appearance. Wear protective safety equipment and follow safety guidelines or procedures.

• Performs emergency services duties as assigned, including fire department participation, response, training, and related activities.

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or GED. Five years of experience in commercial and/or residential electrical and HVAC systems and maintenance and repair of vehicles, facilities, and equipment. Three years experience in facilities/residential electrical and HVAC, general construction, welding, or machine shop fabrication. Good organization, planning, and problem-solving skills. Strong communication skills about project updates and workload to supervisors and team. Assists in assuming the responsibility for the facilities at the observator