Observatory Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Posting Title:
Communications Student Assistant - McDonald Observatory, Austin
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Hiring Department:
McDonald Observatory
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Position Open To:
All Applicants
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Weekly Scheduled Hours:
15
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FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt from FLSA
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Earliest Start Date:
Aug 24, 2026
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Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Dec 31, 2026
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Location:
UT MAIN CAMPUS
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Job Details:
General Notes
UT Austin undergraduate communications and astronomy students are invited to apply for the McDonald Observatory communications team's student worker position. Work takes place on the Austin campus in the Physics, Math, and Astronomy Building. This position is expected to continue through fall semester, with the possibility of continuation through spring or beyond based on work performance and business needs.
Purpose
Support observatory communications, marketing, and outreach initiatives.
Responsibilities

• Following established image and content guidelines, create social media campaigns, newsletters, postcards, and other marketing/outreach materials. Source images for social media posts that are already written. Graphic design experience is not required, but a plus.
• Create calendar of community events, astronomy history dates, social media initiatives, and other topics of interest for promotion to internal and external audiences.
• Research media contacts, advertising opportunities, and similar.
• Print and assemble membership mailing materials for distribution.
• Review and update the McDonald Observatory website to align with accessibility standards.
• May represent the Observatory at Austin-area outreach events, sharing information about the Observatory and astronomy topics to general audiences. At events, assist with telescope viewings (training provided, if needed).

Required Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to show up on time for regular shifts

Salary Range
$14.00/hr
Working Conditions
Standard office environment
In-person in the PMA building on the main UT campus
Work Shift
10-15 hours per week, Monday- Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor or instructor
• Letter of interest
• Fall class schedule

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:
Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
Students in this position may choose to enroll in the UTSaver voluntary retirement programs.
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.