Astronomers Lodge Manager, McDonald Observatory

Job Posting Title

Astronomers Lodge Manager, McDonald Observatory ----

Hiring Department

McDonald Observatory ----

Position Open To

All Applicants ----

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40 ----

FLSA Status

Exempt from FLSA ----

Earliest Start Date

Immediately ----

Position Duration

Expected to Continue ----

Location

MCDONALD OBSERVATORY ----

Job Details

General Notes

The Astronomers Lodge Manager provides leadership, operational and business management, and staff supervision for the McDonald Observatory Astronomers Lodge and the David G. Booth Director's House.

This position is based at the McDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains and is a major astronomical research observatory 16 miles from Fort Davis, Texas (440 miles from the UT Austin campus). Hours include weekends and evenings as needed. Travel may be required. Position may be subject to "call-back" as an essential employee for emergencies or critical response. This position reports to the executive assistant in the Superintendent's office and works closely with the Austin Business Office.

The observatory fosters an environment that emphasizes personal responsibility, continuous improvement, teamwork, innovation, and safety.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage.
• Retirement contributions: Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• Paid holidays .
• Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Purpose

This position provides leadership, operational and business management, and staff supervision for the McDonald Observatory Astronomers Lodge (AL) and the David G. Booth Director’s House, and other external units, all used for temporary quarters. This includes directing custodial, maintenance, and building services activities, including general cleaning, building maintenance and repair, reservation system, billing and invoicing, and kitchen assistance for an 18-unit lodge.

Responsibilities

• Operations: Prepares reservation and billing paperwork for guests and maintains reservations in WebRez. Responds promptly to travel documents, rooming requests, and email and telephone inquiries, and initiates confirmation letters. Maintains room and key assignments in accordance with State, university, and observatory policies. May perform general facility maintenance and/or ensure that Physical Plant is notified and that maintenance and repair needs are completed. Participates in renovation planning and implementation. Maintains a food manager’s certificate and complies with other requirements.
• Business Management: Prepares and submits financial reports. Responsible for c ash handling and receipt maintenance for reservation services. Provides information and data for interdepartmental transfer (IDT) paperwork and weekly deposits. Batches out the credit card machine. Logs expenditures and prepares direct billing paperwork for processing. Provides data for the weekly revenue report. Maintains cash flow reports . Prepares orders for general supplies for Astronomers Lodge and the David G. Booth Director's house. Maintains an inventory listing of all supplies, including pantry items, to-go items, linens, furnishings, cleaning supplies, etc.
• Supervision: Supervises lodge support staff and staff performing services in cleaning, housekeeping, laundry, cooking, preventive and general maintenance, reservations, and customer service. Creates menus, schedules, checklists, cleanliness standards, and inspections, and prioritizes work for the team. Helps anticipate and identify issues and areas for improvement and produce viable, logical solutions. Reviews the work of and trains housekeeping and kitchen staff on proper standards and procedures.
• Staff Support: Serves as a working supervisor and an integral member of the support team. As needed, performs typical team member tasks, including: meal preparation and service, housekeeping, general and preventive maintenance, general cleaning, and event support. Performs other duties as assigned to meet the business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree, preferred in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field, a minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience, and six (6) years custodial maintenance work or related building services
• Experience using building maintenance tools and equipment
• Familiarity with Texas Hotel and Lodging Association (THLA) rules and regulations,
• Experience with managing resale inventory and budgets.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills, including online only working relationships.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to task switch and multitask.
• Ability to be adaptable, work independently, and as an integral member of a team.
• Ability to learn new tasks independently.
• Proficient computer literacy skills, especially with office management tools (i.e., spreadsheets, word processing, email) and property management software.
• Demonstrable good judgement.
• Regular and punctual attendance.
• Competencies: Conflict Management, Decision Making and Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Planning: Tactical, Strategic, Problem Solving, Relationship Management, Service Excellence.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's hospitality management, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience in business and fiscal management.
• Knowledge of UT or State systems, policies, and/or procedures is a plus.
• Proficiency in Spanish.

Driving Required

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

$50,500 + depending on experience and qualifications

Working Conditions

• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished)
• Work in all weather conditions and in extreme temperatures
• Work at nighttime in remote locations
• Work around standard office conditions. Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Use of manual dexterity
• Lift, pushes, and pulls up to 50 pounds
• Climbing of stairs. Climbing of ladders
• May require working extended hours
• May work around chemical fumes, bio-hazards, and around hazardous chemicals.
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards
• Use of approved safety equipment is required
• McDonald Observatory is located at approx. 6900 ft. above sea level.  Environmental conditions can be unpredictable; temperatures can range from -10˚F to +95˚F
• Inclement winter weather can be expected, which requires comfortable driving in wintry conditions on mountain grades

Work Shift

• Generally, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., rotating weekends as necessary.
• Work hours vary based on lodging operations and reservations and include evening, weekend, and holiday hours as needed.
• May be required to respond to emergency calls during off-duty hours.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Required Materials

• Letter of interest
• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Please mark "yes" on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates' consideration for the position.

Application Process