Jobs & Volunteering

Jobs

Amateur Astronomer Volunteers - at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory Are you an amateur astronomer looking for an opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with the public? Do you have an RV or travel trailer and the freedom to spend several weeks (or more) at a remote dark-sky site?

The University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory is looking for amateur astronomers to serve as site-volunteers to support the Observatory's extensive public programs. The Observatory's Visitors Center plays host to approximately 60,000 visitors each year, many of whom participate in the Center's array of outreach activities. Site-volunteers will assist with both daytime and nighttime activities including guided tours, star parties, special viewing nights, and summer scout night programs as well as other special programs at other times of the year. In exchange for a (minimum) four week, 20 hrs/wk (minimum, 12 evening/night hours & 8 daytime hours) commitment and upon successful completion of the application process, the site-volunteer will be granted access to one of the Observatory's RV sites (full hook-ups, etc., provided.) Other restrictions apply. Background check required.

For more information, please contact: Frank Cianciolo, Sr. Programs Coordinator for the Frank N Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory (frankc@astro.as.utexas.edu, 432-426-4152.)

StarDate Café - in the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory
The StarDate Café, from time to time, has a need for new part-time employees. Please contact the StarDate Café manager Christi or Anneke with your contact information, if you would like to be contacted in the event of future openings. 432-426-3644.

Mechanical Engineer
(Research Engineering/Scientist Associate III)

The University of Texas McDonald Observatory seeks outstanding candidates for a new Mechanical Engineering position at the Observatory near Ft. Davis, West Texas. The successful candidate will work in a hands-on, operations team environment to engineer and design solutions supporting the operation and maintenance of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope’s equipment and facility infrastructure.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering (ME) and four years related experience in a hi-tech development and or operational environment. Hands-on experience in designing, building, and troubleshooting mechanical equipment and instrumentation is essential together with demonstrated competence with professional level engineering design software, machine tools and workshop equipment. Experience in opto-mechanical engineering including basic knowledge of optics will be a distinct advantage. All weather conditions and working at height (100 feet) are typical of the work environment. Together with excellent engineering design experience and ability, comprehensive verbal and written communications skills are essential.

To view a complete job description, salary, benefits and application instructions go to:

http://utdirect.utexas.edu/pnjobs/pnjobs.WBX
Job Posting Number: 09-10-05-01-4209

Security sensitive position; conviction verification conducted on applicant selected.
The University of Texas at Austin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Volunteers

The Public Observatory benefits greatly from volunteer support provided by area amateur astronomers. These individuals frequently bring their own telescopes to Star Parties in order to share striking views of the night sky with visitors to the Observatory.

	The Observatory's annual Volunteer Appreciation Night, April 6, 2009.

Volunteer Opportunities
The Frank N. Bash Visitor Center at McDonald Observatory offers volunteer opportunities to individuals interested in astronomy and/or education. The greatest need for volunteers has been during our public star parties at busy times of the year. We have several telescopes that we use for our public programs including a 16" Meade LX200, 22" Classical Cassegrain, 22" Dobsonian and several Celestron and Meade 8" Schmidt Cassegrains. Training is provided. If you would like more information please contact the Visitors Center through the Volunteer Coordinator or call us at (432) 426-3640 and ask for Mr. Shannon Rudine.