Graduate Research Assistant - Community Engagement & Emerging Technology (Waco MPO Smart Corridors Project)

Job Posting Title:

Graduate Research Assistant - Community Engagement & Emerging Technology (Waco MPO Smart Corridors Project)

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Hiring Department:

IC2 Institute

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

20

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FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Dec 31, 2026

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

Under the direction of Program Manager of Strategy and Engagement, the GRA will collaborate closely with IC² staff, UTCTR partners, and a community engagement specialist based in Waco.  This position requires independence, professionalism, and the ability to collaborate across organizations. 

The Waco MPO Smart Corridors project supports innovative, equitable, and sustainable corridor planning through data driven analysis and meaningful community engagement. A central goal of the project is to engage community members and stakeholders in understanding corridor challenges, sharing local knowledge, and exploring how new and emerging technologies might support future solutions.

IC² leads the design and execution of community and stakeholder engagement activities that surface social, economic, and historical context to inform planning and decision-making.

This is a temporary benefits eligible position ending on December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension depending on business need and funding availability. Appointment is tied to the Waco MPO project timeline.  Majority of work concentrated in the first two years of the project. 

Funding details regarding tuition assistance are currently under review.  

Purpose

The Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) will play a lead role in executing community and stakeholder engagement activities for the Waco MPO Smart Corridors project. The role emphasizes education focused engagement, qualitative input gathering, and synthesis of community perspectives related to corridor planning and emerging technologies. 

Responsibilities

• Support and help lead community workshops, listening sessions, and stakeholder interviews. Assist with preparation, facilitation, note‑taking, and follow‑up synthesis for engagement activities.

• Assist in designing engagement activities that educate participants and invite input on corridor challenges and potential technology‑enabled solutions. Support development of engagement formats, prompts, and activities that balance education and feedback.

• Coordinate engagement efforts with project partners and local stakeholders. Work with IC² staff, CTR, Waco MPO, and local partners to support scheduling, preparation, and alignment (logistics led by partners).

• Develop engagement materials (presentations, discussion guides, summaries) in collaboration with CTR and the project team. Prepare draft slides, discussion guides, briefing materials, and post‑engagement summaries.

• Synthesize qualitative input into clear, accessible summaries and insights to inform corridor planning. Analyze notes, transcripts, and other qualitative inputs and produce concise internal memos highlighting themes, insights, and implications.

• Participate in project meetings and contribute to cross‑team coordination. Attend project meetings, provide updates, and support coordination across research and planning teams.

• Travel to Waco up to 1–2 times during the project, as needed. Support in‑person engagement activities or meetings when required.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate student with background or experience in community engagement, qualitative research, public policy, planning, education, or related fields

• Strong writing, synthesis, and communication skills

• Interest in community-centered approaches to problem solving and learning

• Ability to work independently and manage responsibilities with limited supervision

• Experience with transportation, infrastructure, or urban planning is preferred but not required

• Interest in emerging technologies or innovation in public sector contexts is a plus

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

• Currently enrolled as a UT Austin graduate student and able to meet all student worker eligibility requirements.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Salary Range

$28,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Typical office environment

• Remote work environment with occasional in-person meetings

• GRA’s will use their own computers

• Some travel to Waco up to 1–2 times during the project, as needed

Work Shift

• Up to 20 hours per week

• M-F, 8 am - 5 pm

• Nominally, in-person at the IC2 Institute, however, some occasional remote work is currently permitted

• Flexible hours to be arranged with supervisor.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor and at least one reference should be from a faculty member familiar with the student’s related skills and experience.

• 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.

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Employment Eligibility:

Please confirm your eligibility for this position here: http://www.utexas.edu/hr/student/student_acad_employment.html

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

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

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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 and 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.