K-12 Education Specialist, McDonald Observatory Visitors Center

Job Title

K-12 Education Specialist, McDonald Observatory Visitors Center

MCDONALD OBSERVATORY

Position open to all applicants. Weekly scheduled hours: 40. FLSA status:
Non-Exempt. Earliest start date:
Immediately. Position duration:
Expected to continue.

This position supports and advances the education and public outreach mission of the McDonald Observatory and the University of Texas. The specialist develops and delivers materials and content for K‑12 programs such as Astronomy Field Trips, Distance Learning, Homeschool Days, and Teacher Professional Development Workshops. The specialist conducts evening and daytime programming for visitors—including guided tours, solar viewing, star parties, and livestream programs—and assists with community activities, special projects, events, and programs both on‑ and off‑site.

• Develop and deliver K‑12 education program content and materials, both virtually and in person, including planning and coordinating astronomy field trips, classroom visits, distance learning programs, public live streams, and teacher professional development workshops.
• Facilitate public programs, community outreach events, and activities for learners of all ages, providing excellent customer service and educational information to visitors of the Observatory and participants in community activities, special projects, events, and programs both on‑ and off‑site; document and communicate program outcomes.
• Participate in a cross‑functional team and work cooperatively with other staff members to complete tasks and projects; assist with routine maintenance of telescope equipment, domes, and galleries; help maintain exhibits in the Visitors Center; assist with the Gift Shop when needed; perform janitorial duties and other related tasks as required.

• Bachelor's degree in education, public affairs, communication, astronomy, or a related science.
• Three years of experience in teaching, public speaking, museum, or formal or informal education, and preparation of informational materials.
• Computer skills include word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation capabilities.
• Ability to work as a team member, independently, and with overlapping projects.
• Position competencies include accuracy and attention to detail, decision‑making and critical thinking, effective communication, initiative, interpersonal relationships, problem‑solving, and service excellence.

An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

• Two or more years of STEM education outreach experience.
• Two or more years experience as a classroom teacher.
• Experience working in a school, museum, nature preserve, or similar facility.
• Amateur astronomy interest and knowledge of the night sky and ability to identify major constellations.
• Some experience with amateur/professional telescopes.
• Proficiency in Spanish.

This job requires a Class “C” operator’s driver’s license. The applicant must provide a current three‑year driving record from the current state of residence; a Texas driver’s license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident if not currently a Texas resident.

$42,000 plus depending on qualifications and experience.

• Competitive health benefits (Employee premiums covered at 100%; family premiums at 50%).
• Vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas (defined benefit retirement plan).
• Additional voluntary retirement programs: tax‑shielded annuity 403(b) and a deferred compensation program 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses.

• Works in standard office, classroom, theater, outdoor, and scientific/industrial environments.
• Operation of telescopes of varying sizes, requiring manual dexterity.
• Work in low lighting conditions, assisting guests to look through telescopes.
• May work around mechanical hazards.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Climbing of stairs and/or ladders.
• Lifting and moving 20+ lbs.
• McDonald Observatory is…