Maintenance Worker II, Mcdonald Observatory

Job Posting Title:

Maintenance Worker II, McDonald Observatory

Hiring Department:

McDonald Observatory

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

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 16 miles from Fort Davis, Texas (440 miles from The University of Texas at Austin campus). The maintenance worker II position is located at McDonald Observatory. This is a fast-paced, hands-on position in a team-based environment utilizing various disciplines and experience. It reports to the Technical Trades Crew Leader and the Assistant Physical Plant Manager as required. The position includes variable scheduling (evenings and weekends) with some holiday rotation to meet business needs. The position is considered an essential employee for emergency or critical response.

The University of Texas at Austin provides an outstanding benefits package to staff, including:

• 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

For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards

Purpose

To provide semi-skilled level work in various technical trades in the maintenance and repair of a remote research facility's buildings, telescope equipment, housing, and other systems.

Responsibilities

• Assists with maintaining and repairing telescope support equipment, building and facility infrastructure, mechanical systems, welding and fabrication, and residential renovations, repairs, and maintenance.

• Assists with special projects, including framing, roofing, tiling, painting, sheet rock, plumbing, concrete work, and welding.

• Performs preventive maintenance on equipment and telescope domes.

• Assists with facility preventive maintenance, tool inventory, and grounds maintenance.

• Operates heavy equipment, including backhoe, bulldozer, forklift, and dump truck.

• Maintains a clean, safe workplace and ensures that all tools, equipment, and vehicles are maintained clean and orderly.

• Performs as a team player and helps co-workers with various trade work.

• Performs tasks to help respond to emergencies, such as fire mitigation, medical, hazardous material, winter weather, or other emergencies threatening or interfering with the facility's normal operations.

• Performs additional tasks as assigned. Drives UT vehicle. Maintains professionalism in interaction with the public and fellow workers and appearance according to UT policy. Wears protective safety equipment and follows safety guidelines and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.

• Two years of experience in general construction and may include one or more of the following disciplines: plumbing, electrical, HVAC, framing, drywall, or concrete work.

• Two years of experience in the maintenance and repair of facilities or equipment.

• Good organization, planning, and problem-solving skills, including managing time efficiently and demonstrating attention to detail.

• Strong communication skills about the status of the tasks performed.

• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Two years of experience in hydraulics, welding, fabrication, heavy equipment operation, or fire mitigation.

Driving Required

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a 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.

Salary Range

$37,500 + depending on qualifications and experience

Working Conditions

• Wear furnished uniforms and/or personal protective safety equipment and follow safety guidelines or procedures.

• Use of tools and equipment common for the particular trades working in.

• May work around varied conditions involving fire, mechanical and chemical hazards, and other hazardous materials.

• May work around chemical fumes, chemicals, and biohazards.

• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards.

• May work around standard office conditions. Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

• Use of manual dexterity.

• Climbing stairs and ladders. Lifting and moving heavy objects.

• May require working extended hours in inclement weather with hazardous equipment or materials.

• Maintain professionalism in interactions with the public and fellow workers, as well as professionalism in appearance.

• McDonald Observatory is located approximately 6800 feet above sea level. Environmental conditions can be unpredictable, and temperatures can range from -10˚F and +95˚F. Inclement winter weather can be expected, which requires being comfortable driving in wintry conditions on mountain grades.

• Acts as a member of the Observatory's Emergency Response Team that responds to fire, medical, hazardous material, or other emergencies that threaten or interfere with the facility's normal operations.

Work Shift

• Compressed work schedule may be considered -- four 10-hour days per week, Monday through Friday

• Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday hours as needed

• May be required to respond to an emergency or non-emergency situations

Required Materials

• Letter of interest

• Resume/CV

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

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, and 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 can 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 into 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.) 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.