Undergraduate Research Associate - TXPCA Project

Job Posting Title:

Undergraduate Research Associate - TXPCA Project

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Hiring Department:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

12

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FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt from FLSA

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Nov 29, 2026

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Location:

JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER

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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 exp