UT Zero Waste, Resource Recovery – Social Media & Outreach

Job Posting Title:

UT Zero Waste, Resource Recovery – Social Media & Outreach

Hiring Department:

Facilities Services

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

10

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Jun 30, 2027

Location:

Austin, Tx

Job Details:

General Notes

Open to Work Study and Non-Work Study

To Apply:

Submit resume & cover letter (as PDFs). For your cover letter, please copy and paste the following questions. Be sure to keep the same numbering and formatting when answering. Answer each one in 1-2 paragraphs (approximately 100-200 words). Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis starting in July.

1. Please tell us why you want to participate in the Resource Recovery Student Internship Program.

2. What are you hoping to get out of this position?

3. What skills or experiences do you have that would make you a good fit for this program/position?

4. Are you looking to fulfill an internship requirement for your major or Connecting Experience for a Bridging Disciplines Program certificate? (please share which one)

5. Use this space for any additional comments or considerations.

6. Optional: If you would like, please share up to three examples of past work that demonstrate skills relevant to this position. Applicants who submit a portfolio of three examples will receive preference during the review process.

Resource Recovery is a department within UT Facilities Services that encompasses both Zero Waste and Surplus Property. Resource Recovery is tasked with improving sustainability at UT, specifically with regards to reaching our Zero Waste goal to keep 90% of all materials out of the landfill. Major diversion strategies include reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. See what our project teams have been up to on our Instagram (@utzerowaste).

If hired for this role, you would join our Social Media & Outreach team (2 students). Team members learn best practices for sustainability communications, outreach, and behavior change campaigns. Responsibilities may include creating social media content, photography and videography, planning & staffing outreach events and tabling activities, developing educational materials, and supporting the Zero Waste Hero program.

Our other project teams have a separate application - search "UT Zero Waste, Resource Recovery – Internship Team Member" in Workday to apply.

Purpose

You would be a member of Resource Recovery's Student Internship Program on one of three project teams. Our cohort includes 10+ interns who meet weekly to learn, collaborate, and share updates across projects. In addition to supporting outreach and education events, all team members conduct waste audits. See what our project teams have been up to on our Instagram (@utzerowaste). Team members are not expected to have any sustainability background—only an interest in learning!

Responsibilities

• Develop content for Resource Recovery social media platforms using the department's brand kit, including graphics, photos, videos, and educational campaigns.
• Serve as the primary photographer and content creator at outreach events, waste audits, and other in-person activities.
• Plan and staff tabling events, educational programs, and outreach activities that promote waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and surplus programs.
• Support and enhance the Zero Waste Hero certification program through outreach, content development, and program innovation.
• Collaborate with teammates to create outreach materials, presentations, signage, and educational resources.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Must be a current UT Austin student. Interest in sustainability and willingness to learn about the University's recycling, composting, solid waste, and surplus programs. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate professionally with students, faculty, staff, and community members. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment. Organized, adaptable, dependable, and punctual. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly and work outdoors and in a variety of event environments.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Availability and interest in working for the full academic year (fall and spring). Full-year candidates will receive priority consideration. Academic, volunteer, leadership, or work experience related to communications, marketing, graphic design, outreach, sustainability, or a related field. Experience creating social media content, including graphics, photography, video, and educational campaigns. Advanced graphic design skills and experience using Canva or similar design platforms. Previous involvement in sustainability-related coursework, employment, volunteer work, or student organizations.

Salary Range

$13.00+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• All weather conditions
• Extreme temperatures
• Chemical fumes
• Standard office
• Biohazards/chemicals
• Electrical/mechanical
• Keyboard
• Manual dexterity
• Climbing of stairs and ladders
• Lifting and moving
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions and hazards such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and loud noises. Will lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds repeatedly. May twist, grasp, pull, and bend.

Work Shift

10 hours - Monday-Friday - 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Occasionally, project work will occur after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends. Prior notice will be provided for those situations. The employment term is typically for the academic year (fall and spring), although single-term opportunities are available. Full-year candidates will be prioritized.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest

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.

Employment Eligibility:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

Students in this position may choose to enroll in the UTSaver voluntary retirement programs.

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 and 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.