Administrative Assistant – Office for Research and Graduate Education

About the role

The Office for Research and Graduate Education (RGE) in the College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking an Administrative Assistant (Intermediate Support).

Responsibilities

• Provide general office support, including serving as the initial point of contact for RGE at reception, handling mail, maintaining office inventory and replenishing office supplies.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for walk-in guests at reception.
• Support the Senior Director of Research Development & Initiatives in coordinating and scheduling meetings and special events (ex. research symposia, seminars, outreach booths) and preparing materials for these activities.
• Coordinate the screening, assembling, and formatting of materials submitted for the establishment of local, state, or nationally focused research projects under the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station (AES).
• Prepare correspondence and responses to inquiries regarding the AES and assist with the administrative life cycle of research projects.
• Maintain pertinent databases, including performing data entry, tracking research projects for the AES, and providing assistance with the development of reports.
• Provide assistance and support for the development and production of print and digital publications to promote the college’s research enterprise, including updating the college research website, and assisting with the production of regular newsletters.

Requirements

• The successful candidate must be highly motivated, organized, and detail-oriented while having professional written and verbal communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and a teachable spirit.
• The staff member must be able to work as both a member of a team as well as independently when the supervisor and/or leadership is out of the office and must be able to answer questions and/or react appropriately to situations as they arise.
• This position requires the ability to follow established processes and procedures as well as being able to develop and enhance current and new processes.
• Experience and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive), and Zoom is required.

Qualifications

• The successful candidate must have a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School (HS) degree and 2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills

• Familiarity with SIMBA, SAP Concur, Adobe Creative Suite, and FileMaker.
• Familiarity with the USDA National Reporting System (NRS) and the National Information Management and Support System (NIMSS).

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

Pay

$40,608.00 - $58,836.00

Schedule

This position requires the successful candidate to work in person, on campus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Roth and traditional retirement plans.
• Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• A generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.