Academic Department Coordinator (American Studies & Anthropology/Sociology)

About the role

The Academic Department Coordinator supports the Department of American Studies and the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at Amherst College. This is a full-time (20 hours per week per department) academic-year position (48 weeks per year).

Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive administrative support in all areas of operation for the Department of American Studies and the Department of Anthropology and Sociology.
• Performs a wide range of detail-oriented tasks in a fast-moving environment.
• Supports the chairs and program faculty in carrying out programs' business according to the academic calendar.
• Covers programs' meetings, prepares relevant materials, and takes meeting minutes, as appropriate.
• Coordinates and attends programs' external reviews (including self-study).
• Assists with programs' annual prizes and fellowships for majors.
• Updates course information in the Course Catalog, CPI/EMS, and Workday.
• Aids with course logistics, including course materials and field trips.
• Communicates between the program and the registrar's office regarding courses, majors, graduating seniors, annual prizes, and other academic matters.
• Outreach and coordination with faculty offering courses for the programs.
• Assists with the planning and execution of events, coordinating venues, receptions, and publicity.
• Manages honoraria, travel reimbursements, ground transportation, and accommodations for guest speakers.
• Administers and tracks expenses for program and gift accounts; reconciles monthly expenses; and monitors balances in Workday.
• Processes purchase orders, invoices, and reimbursements.
• Maintains budgets in collaboration with the programs' chairs and director of academic finance.
• Coordinates and maintains student employment and casual hiring.
• Maintains programs' website and electronic files.
• Serves as the liaison between the programs' and diverse community of students, faculty, and staff across campus, Five College community, and the public.
• Maintains a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful study and work environment.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent
• 1 to 3 years of related experience
• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, time-management, organizational, and customer-service skills
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and work collaboratively
• Demonstrated a high level of attention to detail
• Sensitivity to issues of confidentiality
• Familiarity with Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office (or similar platforms)
• Experience working collaboratively with a diverse community
• Successful completion of required reference and background checks
• An acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check