Job Posting Title:
Visitor Services Assistant I, McDonald Observatory Visitors Center ----
Hiring Department:
McDonald Observatory ----
Position Open To:
All Applicants ----
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40 ----
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt from FLSA ----
Earliest Start Date:
Immediately ----
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue ----
Location:
MCDONALD OBSERVATORY ----
Job Details:
General Notes
The McDonald Observatory is a major astronomical research observatory located in the Davis Mountains of West Texas (440 miles from the UT Austin campus). This position is at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at the McDonald Observatory, near Fort Davis, Texas. The Visitors Center is open five days per week, Tuesday through Saturday, and requires a variable work schedule to meet business needs.
The University of Texas at Austin provides an outstanding benefits package to staff. For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards .
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 (a defined benefit retirement plan)
Additional voluntary retirement programs: tax-sheltered annuity 403(b) and a deferred compensation program 457(b)
Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
Purpose
This position supports the McDonald Observatory’s education and public outreach mission by assisting with reservations, admissions, and visitor services at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center.
Responsibilities
Provide customer service and information to visitors. Help resolve customer concerns and answer questions about policies and procedures. Respond to requests for private programs and forward complex questions, media requests, and sponsorship requests to the appropriate staff.
Under moderate supervision, register visitors and maintain records in an online reservation system. Sell or collect admission and program tickets and memberships. Create, update, cancel, and refund reservations.
Prepare operational reports or records. Assist with the receipt, disbursement, and accountability of funds. Receive cash and checks, account for all monies and tickets received during a shift, and turn them in.
Participate in a cross-functional team and work cooperatively with other staff members to complete projects. Performs other related duties as required to meet business needs.
Required Qualifications
High school graduation or GED. Customer service and communication experience. Experience with front desk functions, including direct customer interactions. Accuracy and attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and initiative to seek answers when needed. Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service. Computer skills, including word processing, e-mail, and the Internet. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications
Post-secondary degree. One or more years of experience in a visitor services role at a state park, museum, or similar public venue. One or more years of experience in reservations or event sales. Experience with ticketing software or a customer relationship management (CRM) system. Proficiency in Spanish.
Salary Range
$31,200 + depending on qualifications and experience
Working Conditions
Use of standard office conditions
Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
Use of manual dexterity
Climbing of stairs and/or ladders
Lifting and moving up to 20+ lbs.
May work around electrical and mechanical hazards
May work in all weather conditions and extreme conditions
McDonald Observatory is approximately 6900 ft. above sea level; environmental conditions can be unpredictable; temperatures can range from -10˚F to +100˚F
Inclement winter weather can be expected, which requires comfortable driving in wintry conditions on mountain…