Biodiversity Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Posting Title:
Communications Coordinator, Biodiversity Center
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Hiring Department:
Department of Integrative Biology
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Position Open To:
All Applicants
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Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
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FLSA Status:
Exempt from FLSA
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Earliest Start Date:
Jul 01, 2026
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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
Join the Biodiversity Center at the University of Texas at Austin, which serves to catalyze, coordinate, and communicate biodiversity research, education, and community engagement for the benefit of Texas and the world. The Biodiversity Center is home to the University's distinctive Texas Field Station Network (TFSN) and Biodiversity Collections, and operates within the Integrative Biology department, in the College of Natural Sciences.
The Communications Coordinator will primarily support the Biodiversity Center (90%), and secondarily support the Integrative Biology department (10%) with communications, media, and community engagement projects.
This position will work as part of a collaborative Biodiversity Center team, including with the Integrative Biology department, Biodiversity Collections, and Texas Field Station Network staff, such as the TFSN Education and Outreach Coordinator. Additionally, the Communications Coordinator will coordinate with the College of Natural Sciences Communications team to align efforts with University policies and standards.
UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card
• For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship. This position is security sensitive; criminal background checks conducted on selected candidate. Hiring decision is contingent upon applicant clearing background checks.
Purpose
The Communications Coordinator plans, designs, coordinates, and executes day-to-day communications (e.g. digital, print, video, social media), and works closely with staff, faculty, students, and researchers to effectively raise awareness and understanding of the University's biodiversity research, education, and community initiatives, for internal and external audiences. The Communications Coordinator works as part of a collaborative team to support community engagement and programmatic goals.
Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day communications and media: Manage and coordinate day-to-day communications, marketing and media for the Biodiversity Center (including the Texas Field Station Network, Biodiversity Collections, and the Center's research, education, public programs), tailored to specific audiences (e.g. students, researchers, public, donors). Create and maintain accurate and accessible content for websites, displays, social media, and other outlets, in collaboration with students, faculty, staff, and researchers (may include supervising students). Manage email distribution lists, organizational contacts, and digital campaigns. Assess and improve communications operations based on strategic goals and feedback. Perform additional related duties as assigned.
• Produces communications materials: Completes the design, creation, and/or distribution of promotional, informational, and report materials for events, programs, projects, exhibits, or displays, as assigned (may include print, digital, or other formats). Support events, marketing, and surveys, as assigned.
• Coordinate communications efforts: Serve as a liaison and coordinator for communications efforts across the Biodiversity Center's internal and partner entities, including the Texas Field Station Network, Biodiversity Collections, Integrative Biology, College of Natural Sciences, and others, in support of the University's strategic goals.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications- and/or science-related field
• Minimum 2 years of experience in science communications, digital media, writing, design, or relevant work
• Demonstrated experience creating print and digital content, and managing social media engagement (e.g. Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, LinkedIn)
• Demonstrated graphic design skills (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Canva)
• Experience with digital campaign management and assessment tools (e.g. Mailchimp, Eventbrite, Qualtrics)
• Experience with website editing and content management tools (e.g. Drupal)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize, manage, and self-direct projects
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in biodiversity, biology, conservation, or related environmental field
• Experience working with faculty, staff, and students in an academic setting
• Experience supervising and mentoring students to complete projects
• Familiarity with map-based or interactive graphics (e.g. ArcGIS, StoryMaps)
• Familiarity with creating and editing video content
• Familiarity with different communication styles or languages

Salary Range
$55,000+ depending on qualifications
Working Conditions

• Typical office environment
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Manual dexterity

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest
• 3 work references with their contact information; 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. Any 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.
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 in to 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.
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.
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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]

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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.