Public Services Student Intern (History Majors Only)

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General Notes

The Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts. Visitors engage with the Center's collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screenings.

If you're considering an internship at the Ransom Center, it's probably because you're deeply curious, humanities-oriented, and an enthusiastic student of literature, film, and/or the visual arts. These internships are available to all UT students and provide unique opportunities to work behind the scenes with experts at an important cultural institution with worldwide connections. Our ideal candidates come from a wide range of experiences, have a desire for learning and mentorship, and a passion for the work done at the Ransom Center.

Purpose

NOTE: This is a paid, hourly internship ONLY for undergraduate and graduate students that are History majors at the University of Texas at Austin. Please do not apply if you are not a History major.

This internship is for 10 hours per week for the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters.

The intern in this position will work closely with the Public Services Librarian to learn how to navigate the archive stacks and pull, circulate, and return materials.  They will staff service points in the Reading Room and welcome and onboard visiting researchers. They will have the opportunity to work closely with collections and learn how to conduct research in the collections and select materials to create lists that highlight interesting materials relating to an array of topics. They will create research notes, and these lists will be used to support classes and help bring in first-time users who may not recognize the benefits of primary source research or understand how the archive can benefit them.

Learning Outcomes:

Interns will learn to:

• Function as a professional within a library-archive-museum environment.
• Increase awareness of materials within the Ransom Center’s holdings on specific topics.
• Safely handle rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and other collection materials.
• Conduct research in an archive.

Responsibilities

• Trains on and staffs multiple service points in the Reading Room, including the Circulation and Reception desks
• Locates, pulls, and re-shelves manuscripts, books, and other collection materials for patrons, classes, presentations, and other special projects
•  Enters and tracks location of materials in an automated circulation system
• Assists researchers with materials handling and assists with basic reference inquiries
•  Special projects as assigned with a research focus

Required Qualifications

• Strong research and communication skills
• Strong organization
• Ability to collaborate on projects as well as work independently
• Attention to detail
• Time management and commitment to keeping a regular work schedule
• Experience conducting research
• Interest in working with and interacting with the public

Salary Range

$15.50/hour at 10 hour per week

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions, including repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Ability to work outside in all types of weather, including extreme temperatures. 
• May stand or sit for long periods of time. 

Work Shift

• 10 hours per week. Schedule will be discussed at the interview and will be set by the supervisor and intern. Flexibility to work around class schedule.
• Requires onsite interaction with Ransom Center staff and collections.
• Occasional weekends may be required for mission-related events.

Application Schedule and Job Date Information

• Applications should be submitted by August 2, 2026.
• Start date of the position will be August 18, 2026, or later.
• End date will be on May 31, 2027.

Required Materials

• Résumé
• Cover letter
• Letter of recommendation from a UT faculty member or someone who knows the candidate's professional qualification pertinent to this internship.

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 into 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:

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

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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.