Job Posting Title:

Program Director of GeoFORCE

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Hiring Department:

John A and Katherine G Jackson School of Geosciences

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin seeks a new full-time Program Director for its award-winning GeoFORCE Texas education and outreach program. GeoFORCE is a unique program, operating since 2005, that entrains ~400 students from economically under-resourced school districts in grade-based cohorts participating in awe-inspiring, one-week field trips over three summers (rising 9th to rising 11th grade), wrapping with a fourth summer (rising 12th grade) on-campus research experience. The mission of the program is to identify and develop the next generation of STEM leadership for discovery, research and management of energy, minerals, water, environments, and natural hazards. GeoFORCE program is jointly and passionately supported by Industry sponsors, individual donors and the Jackson School of Geosciences. In March, 2015, President Barack Obama awarded GeoFORCE Texas the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

GeoFORCE summer academies introduce students to geology across the country, from the Texas Gulf Coast and Hill Country to the southwestern U.S. canyonlands to the Cascade volcanos and Oregon coast. Students are engaged academically to understand and appreciate a landscape completely different from their home environment. Summer academies are led by faculty and area educators, mentored by industry professionals, and assisted by graduate students and GeoFORCE alumni. In their final year, students experience living and working on a college campus, participating in research projects mentored by Jackson faculty, and top students are given the opportunity to participate in the AGU Bright Stars program during their 12th grade year. GeoFORCE graduates have a legacy of success in their university studies. Over 60% of GeoFORCE graduates pursue a STEM degree at a 4 year university. The personal impact of the program is reflected in the high number of GeoFORCE graduates who return to the program to serve as academy counselors, field coordinators, trail drivers, etc. 

Working at the Jackson School

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences is part of the Jackson School of Geosciences (JSG), which includes two closely allied research units, the Institute for Geophysics and the Bureau of Economic Geology. The School comprises ~125 tenure track and research faculty, and a talented cadre of research scientists, technologists, advising and administrative staff. We currently enroll ~350 undergraduates and 200 graduate students across our degree programs.  We are a world-class community of scholars with a remarkable range of specialties and access to outstanding research facilities and support. The university is located in the thriving Austin metropolitan area with a vibrant community of over 2 million people.

This is a full-time, endowment-funded, 12-month appointment. Work is conducted primarily on the UT Austin J.J. Pickle Research Campus in north Austin, ~9 miles from the main campus and relocation to the Austin area is required. The Program Director must commit to active leadership of the summer academies program for ~10 weeks each summer. The Director is encouraged to participate in at least one academy field trip per summer.

Review of applications will begin December 1, 2024 and continue until the position is filled, with a target start date of Spring 2025.

Purpose

The Program Director is responsible for the direction and execution of the GeoFORCE program, including operation of the summer academies and hiring summer staff.

Responsibilities

Direction and execution of the GeoFORCE program, including operation of the summer academies and hiring summer staff. The Program Director supervises the duties of full-time coordinators supporting the GeoFORCE program and reports to the Assistant Dean for Faculty and Student Affairs. The program Director is responsible for managing the GeoFORCE program within annual budget guidelines determined by the Dean's Office. The Program Director manages the GeoFORCE program independently with a high degree of professionalism, acting as an ambassador for the program and the Jackson School.  The Program Director will collaborate with other University and Jackson School units to meet compliance standards and to align the program with Jackson School priorities. The Program Director will work with the JSG GeoEducator to improve the learning content of the GeoFORCE program activities.

Hosting semi-annual meetings with the GeoFORCE Advisory Council to present program updates and discuss program ambitions and challenges. The Program Director works closely with the JSG Development Team to identify and interact with established and potential sponsors.

Interfacing with the UT GEAR UP program (hosted by the College of Education), and proposes and manages the GeoFORCE GEAR UP grant, which supports an Austin cohort of students.

Assisted by the JSG Development Team, GeoEducator and faculty, the Program Director will explore and secure internal and external grants and collaborative partnerships intended to initiate, improve, support and expand the GeoFORCE program.

Work with program coordinators to coordinate the logistics of a summer research symposium including registration, presentations, networking, information for parents and funding.

Work with program coordinators to host a one week Math and Science Institute summer activity immediately following the 12th grade academy.

Monitor student progress through the program and into college, maintaining records of student achievements, degrees and job opportunities to the extent possible.

Required Qualifications

M.S. or Ph.D., with a preference for geoscience or other STEM degrees, and have at least 5 years of professional experience with proven ability to plan and organize complex activities and to supervise a small staff; excellent written and oral communication skills; and excellent interpersonal skills. Desired qualities include experience working with youth under 18 and a passion for youth geoscience education and outreach.  

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

More than the required number of years of experience working in a university environment. Thorough knowledge of university structure, policies, rules and procedures.

Salary Range

$100,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

May work around standard office conditions

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Use of manual dexterity

Required Materials

Resume/CV

List of 3 work references with their contact information who would be able to provide letters of reference

Letter of interest (describing your interest in the program and qualifications to lead and execute the requirements of the program)

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.

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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.

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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. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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]

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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.