Hill Country Field Station Manager, Texas Field Station Network, Biodiversity Center

Hiring Department: Department of Integrative Biology

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date: Nov 01, 2024

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX

Job Details:

General Notes

Few universities anywhere offer the range and depth that the University of Texas at Austin does for biodiversity research, education, and public engagement. Here leading scientists make discoveries across the wide spectrum of life, from miniscule organisms to complex ecosystems, and researchers have the opportunity to be a part of groundbreaking scientific discoveries that transform our world and top-tier educational programs that develop scientific leaders. Our affiliated graduate programs are ranked among the top programs in the nation. Our commitment to applying scientific research for the betterment of society means engagement with the public, working with communities to advance understanding about natural resources, care for the land and local water supplies, and preservation of Texas biodiversity. For more information about the University of Texas at Austin’s Field Stations, please go to http://biodiversity.utexas.edu/field-stations.

This position will include a full-time benefits package (https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits).

Security sensitive; criminal background check conducted on selected candidate. Hiring decision is contingent upon clearing background check requirement.

Purpose

The University of Texas at Austin Field Station Network seeks a forward-looking Manager for the Hill Country Field Station located outside of Dripping Springs, Texas. This position will assist the Managing Director of the Texas Field Station Network in the development and planning of the facility operations, land stewardship, research projects, and outreach/education activities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the use of facilities and access for education, outreach, and research to ensure safe access and use. Participate with classes and outreach events. Coordinate user research requests.

• Assist in the development of policies and Standard Operating Procedures to improve user experiences. Assist in the organization of and/or participation in planning groups with the College, Advisory groups, Biodiversity Center Leadership and external organizations such as the Organization of Biological Field Stations.

• Maintain and improve infrastructure of the field station. Help update and implement habitat management plans for stewardship and research. Oversee efficient maintenance through contractors and UT service facilities.

• Infrastructure development. Participate in planning and implementation of new infrastructure of the field station. This includes master plan development, securing funding from internal and external sources, and coordinating the development projects.

• Provide technical support (geodatabase, maps, statistics, molecular lab) for users. Provide user access to geodatabases and data products. Provide user support such as molecular lab services, greenhouse and fish tank cultures, research plot maintenance.

• Establish and support long-term research studies at the field station, working with Graduate and Undergraduate Research Assistants and interns. Long-term studies include baseline plant, arthropod and soil microbial diversity and phenological surveys, networked ecosystem studies, and other studies initiated by field station research staff.

• Assist in the development and support of outreach efforts. Help coordinate K12 and public events, organize volunteer and docent programs. Provide a strong social media presence.

• Assist the Managing Director with the management of budgets for maintenance and operations, for new infrastructure and for research and teaching programs. Assist in the application for grants from foundations, local, state, and federal funding agencies.

• Assist the Managing Director with personnel matters through recruitment, training, supervision and co-ordination of staff and student associates.

• Other duties as assigned. This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of selected candidate.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related fields.

• At least 3 years of suitable experience in field of specialization.

• At least 3 years of experience managing staff, budgets, and operations of a relevant organization or research program.

• Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with research and teaching facilities.

• Experience with institutional administration.

• Excellent leadership skills for team development and strategic planning.

• Ability to implement operations and infrastructure activities within budget and on time.

• Excellent communications skills with faculty, administration, students, and the public.

• Stewardship of land to support diverse ecosystems for research and teaching.

Driving Required

This job requires a class “C” operator’s driver’s license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver’s license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

Salary Range

$58,080 + depending on qualifications

FLSA: Exempt (not eligible to earn overtime)

Working Conditions

• Ability to work in adverse field conditions (heat, humidity, bugs).

• May work around standard office conditions.

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

• Prolonged screen time.

• Use of manual dexterity.

• Operation of heavy equipment (e.g. tractor, riding mower, etc.)

• Ability to lift objects weighing 40 lbs.

Work Shift

• Flexible: 40 hours/week is required, and most of this time should be during normal business hours (e.g., 9:00am-5:00pm), although numbers of hours/day and days/week can be negotiated and may change depending on what projects are being pursued.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest