Clerical Assistant - Interdepartmental Graduate Programs

Job Summary

The Clerical Assistant provides administrative and program support for the Interdepartmental Graduate Programs (IDGPs) within the College of Natural Sciences (CNS), serving four graduate programs: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB), Neuroscience and Behavior (NSB), Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (OEB), and Plant Biology (PB).

Essential Functions

• Serve as a first-line contact for IDGP students and respond to inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Provide administrative support to faculty and program leadership, including meeting coordination, material preparation, and documentation.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, and program materials.
• Aid in preparing reports on student data, funding, and program activity.
• Work with Program leads to update IDGP handbooks and materials.
• Assist in coordinating seminars, including scheduling, speaker communication, and campus visit logistics.
• Aid in travel arrangements and accommodations for visiting speakers.
• Aid in scheduling classrooms and preparing seminar announcements.
• Support new student orientation, including logistics, scheduling, and communications.
• Aid in logistics for student and program events, including recruitment activities and retreats.
• Financial and Operational Support.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, equality and inclusiveness.
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent and three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time clerical or administrative experience.
• Strong organizational, communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with standard office software and database systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education or academic administration.
• Familiarity with UMass systems (SPIRE, SLATE, PROGRADS, CONCUR, Drupal).
• Experience supporting events, admissions, or financial processes.