Assistant, UX (Hourly)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Assistant, UX (Hourly)

Company: Austin Community College

Location: Austin, Texas, United States

Job Type: Part-Time, Temporary

Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design Operations

Date Posted: May 20, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This is a part-time, hourly role focused on supporting UX research and design initiatives within Austin Community College's Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO).

• The position requires collaboration with stakeholders to gather and evaluate user requirements, contributing to the enhancement of digital platforms and services.

• Successful candidates will translate research findings into actionable design artifacts, including wireframes, prototypes, and sitemaps, to improve user experience and site functionality.

• This role is ideal for current Austin Community College students with a demonstrated interest and foundational knowledge in UX/UI design, eager to gain practical experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title "Assistant, UX (Hourly)" might suggest a general administrative function, the detailed responsibilities and required skills clearly indicate a specialized role focused on User Experience research and design support, not general administrative tasks. The role is specifically tied to a student's academic program at ACC, requiring enrollment and completion of specific UX/UI courses.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• User Requirements Gathering: Collaborate with project managers and stakeholders to define and document user needs, functional requirements, and project goals for digital initiatives.

• Research Planning and Execution: Design and plan one-on-one user studies and research sessions, developing clear and actionable research goals and methodologies.

• User Research Conduct: Perform user research by recruiting participants, conducting interviews and usability tests, and observing user interactions with digital products.

• Data Analysis and Synthesis: Analyze qualitative and quantitative research findings, identifying key themes, patterns, and user pain points to inform design decisions.

• Design Artifact Creation: Translate research insights into tangible design artifacts, including user personas, empathy maps, journey maps, wireframes (low to high fidelity with annotations), prototypes, and user flows.

• Information Architecture Support: Assist in the design and organization of information architecture, including sitemaps and navigation structures, to ensure intuitive content organization and accessibility.

• UI Element Design: Support the design of user interface elements such as menus, tabs, widgets, and page layouts, ensuring consistency with established design guidelines.

• Prototyping: Develop interactive prototypes to visualize and communicate user experience concepts, site functionality, and proposed design solutions.

• Documentation and Reporting: Create comprehensive research reports, usability reports, and design specification documents, clearly articulating findings and recommendations.

• Stakeholder Communication: Present research findings, design ideas, and project updates to multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders through slide decks and presentations, both in-person and virtually.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are heavily weighted towards practical application of UX methodologies and tool usage. The emphasis on "gathering and evaluating user requirements," "design and plan one-on-one studies," and "translate research insights into design ideas" points to a hands-on support role in the UX lifecycle, rather than a purely administrative one.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Currently enrolled at Austin Community College.

• Successful completion of at least one of the following courses:

  • UXUI 1376 Information Architecture

Experience:

• Demonstrated foundational understanding of UX/UI principles and design thinking methodologies through academic coursework.

Required Skills:

• Design Thinking: Understanding of design thinking methodologies, including iteration, empathy, and user-centered problem-solving (e.g., double diamond process).

• User Research: Proficiency in planning, conducting, and analyzing user research, including interviews and usability testing.

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Ability to create wireframes (low to high fidelity with annotations) and interactive prototypes using tools like Figma.

• Information Architecture: Knowledge of designing sitemaps, user flows, and navigation structures for intuitive user experiences.

• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present findings confidently to various audiences.

• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with stakeholders.

• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for clarifying requirements, outlining research, and proposing design directions in unstructured situations.

• Adaptability: Flexibility and patience to navigate project changes and iterative refinement processes.

• Initiative: Proactive in initiating conversations for participant recruitment and quick information gathering.

Preferred Skills:

• Storytelling: Ability to articulate design rationale and research insights compellingly.

• Visual Design Tools: Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) for asset creation.

• Collaboration Tools: Experience with digital whiteboarding tools like Miro and project management software like Asana.

• Customer Service: Effective customer-orientation when working with a diverse, multicultural population.

• Data Management: Skills in entering data, maintaining files, and performing clerical duties as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required education and coursework are specific to ACC's UXUI program, making this a highly targeted role for current students. The emphasis on "creating momentum by clarifying requirements" and being "flexible and patient when projects change direction" highlights the dynamic nature of UX work and the need for adaptability.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Study Submission: Applicants must provide a link to a case study showcasing either professional or academic UX/UI work.

This is a critical component for evaluating practical skills and problem-solving abilities.

• Artifact Demonstration: The case study should ideally demonstrate the creation and application of various UX artifacts, such as:

  • Personas
  • User journey maps
  • Wireframes (low to high fidelity with annotations)
  • Interactive prototypes
  • Research reports
  • Usability reports
  • Site maps
  • User flows

• Process Walkthrough: The case study should clearly articulate the design process followed, from initial problem definition and research to ideation, prototyping, and testing.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: The role involves supporting the design and documentation of user workflows and information architecture, aiming for efficiency and clarity.

• Research Synthesis: Documenting research findings and translating them into actionable insights for design improvements.

• Performance Analysis: While not directly responsible for performance metrics, the insights generated from UX research will contribute to understanding user behavior and informing future optimizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a case study link is a strong indicator that the hiring team will be evaluating the candidate's practical application of UX principles and their ability to document and present their design process and outcomes. This is standard practice for UX roles, even at the assistant level, to gauge hands-on capability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $23.00 per hour.

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Short-term Disability

• Long-term Disability

• Retirement Plans

• AD&D (Accidental Death & Dismemberment)

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is an hourly, part-time, and temporary student position, the benefits listed may be subject to specific eligibility criteria based on the number of hours worked and employment duration. While listed, it's crucial for candidates to confirm the extent to which these benefits apply to this specific role. The salary is clearly stated at $23.00/hr.

Working Hours:

• Up to 19 hours per week.

• This is a temporary assignment intended to end on August 31, 2026, aligning with the summer session.

• The role is on-site, requiring physical presence at the Highland Campus location.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "up to 19 hours per week" suggests flexibility in scheduling within that maximum, which is common for student roles. However, the on-site requirement means candidates must be able to commit to working from the college campus.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education (Community College)

Company Size: Large (Austin Community College serves approximately 41,000 credit students each Fall and Spring semester, indicating a substantial student body and employee base).

Founded: Austin Community College was founded in 1973, signifying a long-standing institution with established processes and a significant history within its service area.

Team Structure:

• Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO): The role is situated within the EPMO, suggesting a focus on structured project delivery and operational efficiency across college-wide initiatives.

• User Experience (UX) Team: The direct team is the UX team, indicating a unit dedicated to improving digital interfaces and user journeys for students, faculty, and staff.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The description emphasizes collaboration with managers and stakeholders across various departments, highlighting a matrixed or project-based team environment common in higher education IT and operations.

Methodology:

• Design Thinking: The UX team operates using design thinking principles, emphasizing empathy, iteration, and user-centered problem-solving.

• Agile/Iterative Processes: The need for flexibility and handling iterative refinement suggests an agile or iterative approach to project development within the EPMO.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The focus on research analysis and translating insights into design implies a commitment to data-informed strategies.

Company Website: https://www.austincc.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: As a community college, ACC's culture is mission-driven, focusing on equitable access, student success, and community development. This should translate into a collaborative and supportive work environment, particularly for student employees. The EPMO context suggests a professional, project-oriented operational framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-Level / Student Assistant

This role is positioned as an entry-level opportunity designed for current students to gain practical experience in UX/UI design and research. It serves as a stepping stone for individuals looking to build a portfolio and develop foundational skills in the user experience field.

Reporting Structure:

• The Assistant, UX will report to a manager or lead within the Enterprise Project Management Office's User Experience team.

Operations Impact:

• While an assistant role, the impact is significant in contributing to the user-centered design of digital tools and platforms used by thousands of students and staff.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to develop core UX skills in research, wireframing, prototyping, and information architecture through hands-on project work.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a robust portfolio with academic and practical UX/UI case studies, crucial for future career opportunities.

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience working within a large educational institution's project management and UX teams, understanding professional workflows and collaboration.

• Networking: Build professional connections with UX designers, project managers, and other stakeholders within Austin Community College.

• Potential for Future Roles: Demonstrating strong performance and initiative could lead to recommendations for future roles or further opportunities within ACC or the broader UX field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth opportunity here is experiential learning and portfolio building, as it's a student-focused role. While direct career advancement within ACC might be limited due to the temporary nature, the skills and portfolio developed are highly transferable.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Standard Office Environment

The role is performed in a typical office setting at the Highland Campus, implying standard office equipment and collaborative workspaces.

Office Location(s):

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect to work alongside UX designers, project managers, and other EPMO staff, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

• Technology Access: Access to necessary software and tools for UX design and research, including Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Workspace, Miro, and Asana.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with team members for project discussions, feedback sessions, and mentorship.

Work Schedule:

• Part-time, up to 19 hours per week.

• The schedule will likely be flexible to accommodate academic commitments, but will require consistent availability during core business hours for on-site work.

• The assignment is temporary, concluding on August 31, 2026.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement at a specific campus means candidates must be local to Austin and able to commute. The flexibility in hours within the 19-hour limit is a key benefit for student employees managing academic demands.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume, letter of application, and a link to a UX case study.

• Initial Screening: Review of applications and portfolios for alignment with required skills, education, and experience.

• Interview Stage(s): Likely one or more interviews. These may include:

  • Behavioral Questions: Assessing adaptability, collaboration, initiative, and problem-solving skills.
  • Technical/Portfolio Review: Discussing the submitted case study, design process, and specific UX challenges encountered. Expect to walk through your process and rationale.
  • Situational Questions: Posing hypothetical UX scenarios to gauge approach and problem-solving capabilities.

• Final Evaluation: Assessment of overall fit with the team, understanding of UX principles, and potential to contribute.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your case study is easy to understand, well-structured, and highlights your key contributions.

• Process Focus: Emphasize your thought process, research methodologies, and how you arrived at your design solutions. Clearly articulate the "why" behind your decisions.

• Visual Storytelling: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, user flows) effectively to support your narrative. Annotations are key for clarity.

• Problem/Solution Framing: Clearly define the problem you addressed and how your design provided a solution.

• Impact (Even Academic): If it's an academic project, discuss the learning outcomes and how the project addressed specific UX challenges.

• Tool Proficiency: Briefly mention the tools used and your level of proficiency.

• Tailor to the Role: While showcasing your best work, consider how it aligns with the responsibilities of an UX Assistant, focusing on research, analysis, and foundational design.

Challenge Preparation:

• UX Fundamentals: Be prepared to discuss core UX principles, design thinking, and common UX methodologies.

• Tool Familiarity: Be ready to talk about your experience with tools like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Miro, and Asana.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think about how you would approach common UX challenges, such as ambiguous requirements or conflicting stakeholder feedback.

• Research Scenarios: Consider how you would plan and execute a user research study for a given problem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is the most critical part of the application for this role. Candidates should dedicate significant time to curating and presenting their case study to effectively demonstrate their understanding and practical skills in UX.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Wireframe & Prototyping Tools: Figma (primary emphasis), potentially others.

• Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) for asset creation and visual design support.

• Digital Whiteboarding: Miro for collaborative ideation, journey mapping, and brainstorming.

• Project Management: Asana for task tracking, project planning, and team coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Workspace: Docs, Sheets, and Slides for documentation, data analysis, and presentation creation.

• Reporting Tools: While not explicitly listed for the assistant, general familiarity with how data is reported from UX initiatives is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly specified for this role, but understanding how UX impacts user journeys within potential CRM or student information systems might be relevant context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Miro, and Asana indicates these are the core tools the candidate will be expected to use or learn quickly. Proficiency in these tools will be a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Student Success: A paramount value, driving the need for user-centered design to enhance educational experiences and outcomes.

• Equitable Access: Commitment to designing inclusive and accessible digital platforms for a diverse student population.

• Community Development: Fostering a collaborative and supportive environment that benefits students, staff, and the wider community.

• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging intellectual curiosity and exploring new approaches to enhance user experiences and operational efficiency.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A drive within EPMO to streamline processes and improve the effectiveness of college-wide digital services.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with project managers, developers, instructional designers, and other stakeholders, requiring strong communication and teamwork.

• Feedback Culture: An environment that encourages constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement in design and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to learn from experienced team members and contribute to a shared knowledge base within the UX team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a mission-driven, student-focused approach, combined with operational efficiency. Candidates should align their communication and work style with these principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Ambiguous Requirements: Navigating initial project phases where requirements may be undefined or evolving, requiring strong analytical and clarifying skills.

• Balancing Academic and Work Demands: Managing workload effectively to meet both academic and project deadlines within a part-time capacity.

• Learning New Tools and Processes: Quickly adapting to the specific tools, workflows, and internal systems used by the EPMO and UX team.

• Translating Research to Design: Effectively bridging the gap between raw research data and actionable design recommendations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Hands-on UX Practice: Direct application of UX methodologies and tools in real-world projects.

• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced UX professionals within the EPMO.

• Industry Exposure: Understanding the operational realities and project lifecycles within a large educational institution.

• Portfolio Building: Creating tangible assets and case studies that will be valuable for future career steps.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth opportunity lies in practical skill development and portfolio enrichment, directly tied to the challenges of the role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to gather requirements for a project. What was your process, and what challenges did you face?" (Focus on your academic project experience, how you clarified needs, and any iterative steps.)

• "Walk me through your design process for the case study you submitted. What were your key research methods, and how did they inform your design decisions?" (Be ready to present your case study visually and explain your rationale for each step.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for Austin Community College, and specifically in a UX role here?" (Connect your interest to ACC's mission, your academic program, and your career goals.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Emphasize your openness to feedback and iterative improvement.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your case study presentation as a narrative – problem, process, solution, and outcome/learnings.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially if it was a team project.

• Visual Aids: Use clear, well-annotated wireframes, user flows, and mockups. Show progression from low to high fidelity.

• Data & Insights: Explain what you learned from your research and how it directly influenced your design choices.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; present the most critical aspects of your work effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will heavily rely on the candidate's ability to articulate their thought process and demonstrate their UX skills through their case study. Preparation should focus on practicing the narrative and being ready to answer questions about specific design decisions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted case study is polished, clearly demonstrates your UX process, and highlights your ability to create essential artifacts like wireframes, user flows, and research summaries.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize relevant coursework, academic projects, and any transferable skills (e.g., communication, problem-solving, technical proficiency) that align with UX design and research.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your case study, and answering behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and adaptability. Be ready to discuss your familiarity with tools like Figma and Miro.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Austin Community College's mission, values, and its commitment to student success and equitable access. Understand how UX contributes to these institutional goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.