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 https://biodiversity.utexas.edu/.

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Purpose

The University of Texas at Austin Field Station Network seeks a forward-looking Managing Director to develop and plan the operations and research activities across a growing network. While each field station provides significant research opportunities, the value of a field station network is fully realized when research and learning activities use the distributed sites synergistically to allow inference at larger scales and to address regional and global questions.  They will be responsible for driving the development, operations and research coordination of UT Austin field stations. The Managing Director will consult with faculty user groups and College administration to optimize use for research, education and outreach.

Responsibilities

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

• Support the development of the Field Station Network and Programs. Update the Mission and Strategic Plans. Develop policies and Standard Operating Procedures to implement the plans and improve user experiences. Participate in the expansion of the Field Station Network with College, Development and Donors. Organize and/or participate 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 labs. Update and implement habitat management plans for stewardship and research. Coordinate activities of station managers for effective maintenance and safe operation of facilities. Oversee efficient maintenance through contractors and UT service facilities.

• Infrastructure development. Participate in planning and implementation of new infrastructure across the field stations. 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. Implement the data management plan, 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 across the Network, 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.

• Develop and support outreach efforts. Coordinate K12 and public events, organize volunteer and docent programs. Provide a strong social media presence.

• Manage budgets for maintenance and operations, for new infrastructure and for research and teaching programs. Enhance internal funding mechanisms for fee recovery and use of central funding resources. Write proposals to secure new funding for infrastructure and research. Apply for grants from foundations, local, state, and federal funding agencies. Prepare technical and financial reports.

• Manage personnel matters through recruitment, training, supervision and co-ordination of staff and student associates.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in biology, environmental science, or related fields.
• Three or more years of suitable experience in field of specialization.
• Three or more years of experience managing staff, budgets, and operations of a relevant organization or research program.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with infrastructure development for research and teaching facilities.
• Experience with institutional administration and donor relations.
• 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 and donors.
• Ability to secure funding through proposals and donor development.
• Stewardship of land to support diverse ecosystems for research and teaching.

Salary Range

$120,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Prolonged screen time.
• Use of manual dexterity.

Required Materials

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

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.

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) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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.