K-12 Education Specialist, McDonald Observatory Visitors Center

Job Posting Title:

K-12 Education Specialist, McDonald Observatory Visitors Center

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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:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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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 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 see https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://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. Develops and delivers materials and content for K12 programs such as Astronomy Field Trips, Distance Learning, Homeschool Days, and Teacher Professional Development Workshops. Conducts evening and daytime programming for visitors, such as guided tours, solar viewing, star parties, and livestream programs for public and private groups. Assists with community activities, special projects, events, and programs on and off-site.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver K-12 education program content and materials, both virtually and in person. This includes helping with the development, scheduling, coordination, and delivery of Astronomy Field Trips, classroom visits, Distance Learning Programs, public livestreams, and Teacher Professional Development Workshops.

• Facilitate public programs at McDonald Observatory, community outreach events, and activities for learners of all ages. Provide excellent customer service and educational information to visitors of the Observatory and participants in community activities, special projects, events, and programs both on- and off-site.

  Ensure that participants are served, and program outcomes are documented and communicated. 

• Participate in a cross-functional team and work cooperatively with other staff members to complete tasks and projects. Assist with routine maintenance of telescope equipment, domes, and galleries. Help maintain exhibits in the Visitors Center. Assist with the Gift Shop when needed. Perform janitorial duties and other related tasks as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, public affairs, communication, or astronomy or a related science.

• Three years of experience in teaching, public speaking, museum, or formal or informal education, and preparation of informational materials. 

• Computer skills include word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation capabilities. 

• Ability to work as a team member, independently, and with overlapping projects.

• Position competencies include accuracy and attention to detail, decision-making and critical thinking, effective communication, initiative, interpersonal relationships, 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.

• Two or more years experience as a classroom teacher. 

• Experience working in a school, museum, nature preserve, or similar facility.

• Amateur astronomy interest and knowledge of the night sky an