Program Assistant II

About the role

The Division of Technology and Security at South Dakota State University is seeking a people-centered well organized Program Assistant II to join our team. This position plays a vital by providing executive level support to the VP for Technology and Security as well as division leadership through high-level administrative, organizational, and operational assistance. This position ensures day-to-day activities run smoothly through continuity of processes, allowing for fast and consistent service to the University. SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. The Division of Technology & Security (DTS) supports the University's mission as a high-achieving land-grant institution by delivering technology services, safeguarding institutional information assets, and supporting effective use of technology across the University. Its reach extends across the state, providing IT and safety support to Research Stations and Extension Centers, ensuring secure and reliable operations wherever the University’s work takes place. This position is located in Brookings, SD. Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Responsibilities

• Administrative Support: Manage calendars, schedule meetings, prepare correspondence, and coordinate document and record management for the division leadership
• Communication Liaison: Serve as a professional point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear, timely communication and response to inquiries.
• Special Projects: Provide project coordination and administrative support for departmental initiatives, technology implementations, service improvements, compliance efforts, training programs, and organizational communications.
• Operational Support: Help implement and maintain policies, procedures, and systems that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the division.
• Website Maintenance: Ensures that online information remains accurate, current and accessible, aligning with university standards.
• Supervision: Directly responsible for supervising student employees assigned to the division including, but not limited to, recruitment and onboarding, assigning work priorities, scheduling, and training and evaluations.

Knowledge

• Administrative and office management practices, including scheduling, professional correspondence methods, and records retention.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the ability to learn specialized systems for data entry, budgeting, and reporting.
• Basic accounting, budget tracking, financial documentation, and procurement processes.

Skills

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally with faculty, staff, students, visitors and outside stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to complete tasks with close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Prioritize and manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines.
• Understand, interpret, and communicate rules, regulations, and policies.
• Develop new and continuously evaluate existing procedures to meet the changing needs of the division.
• Gather and organize data for reports and special projects.

Abilities

• Supervise, train, mentor and evaluate employees

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and flexible benefits
• Retirement plans
• Compensation packages
• Paid holidays
• Vacation leave
• Retirement plan with 6% matching
• 10 hours of annual leave each month
• 9.34 hours of sick leave each month
• Eleven paid holidays
• Access to internal and state-sponsored training
• Reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions
• Relocation benefits per university guidelines