Program Assistant

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

The primary responsibility of this position is to advance the research, teaching, publication, and outreach missions of the Center for Dewey Studies (CDS) by assisting the Director. The program assistant will be a collaborator in the further development of Dewey Studies  CDS supports research and teaching on Dewey and related topics at SIU; trains graduate students in archival research, editing, and publishing;

publishes work by and about Dewey; organizes academic conferences, lectures, and events; hosts visiting researchers; coordinates with the Special Collections Research Center concerning Dewey's papers and related archives.

Schedule:

Due to the timing of certain CDS events, this position requires occasional work outside of normal business hours.

Self-motivation:
This position must be able to take the initiative in determining task priorities and allocation of time to projects.

Flexibility:
They must be able to identify needs as they arise, take on new tasks, and bring projects to a close in a timely fashion.

Complexity:
The CDS engages in a wide variety of academic and outreach tasks that must be coordinated according to deadlines and priorities. A wide variety of types of organizational and academic information must be mastered. The program assistant supports the development and planning of complex activities and must be able to handle numerous projects simultaneously and with a high degree of accuracy.

The employee must exercise careful judgment in using established policies and procedures.

• Provide professional support to the CDS Director, serve as a staff advisor.
• Assisting with budget functions and bookkeeping for the CDS.
• Maintain knowledge of CDS program activities and procedures, provide program knowledge and expertise, technical specifications, and developments related to the field of Dewey Studies, American Philosophy, and connected fields.
• Pursue professional development activities to expand knowledge and maintain currency; work to develop new skill sets that will advance the program mission.
• Interview and assess needs of faculty, students, visiting researchers, and external scholars who rely on the resources and services of the CDS program.
• Develop materials and techniques for training graduate assistants who work for the CDS; assist in developing and maintaining program vision and design, program policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Compile and analyze data and information, evaluate, and summarize findings as necessary to advance the mission of the CDS; prepare reports on activities synthesizing contributions from multiple individuals and projects.
• Represent and coordinate working relationships of the CDS on various committees, teams or peers; act as a liaison to campus, agency, and community groups, other skilled specialists throughout the state and nationwide, and professional societies related to Dewey Studies and American Philosophy; serve as a resource person and referral agent.
• Coordinate the logistics and activities for CDS events and programs including talks and lectures, visiting fellowships, conferences and workshops, research and publication projects, grants, and other programs as needed.
• Participate in the hiring, selection, training, supervising, and evaluation of graduate assistants, visiting fellows, and other program staff.
• Scheduling, assigning, reviewing, and recommendations concerning work within the CDS.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with staff and clients.

• Bachelor's degree is required.

• Philosophy (especially pragmatism, American philosophy, or history of philosophy)
• History (especially American intellectual or political history, work with archives)
• Library sciences, museum studies, or other fields involving historical archives.
• Education (history, philosophy, or social foundations)
• Other humanities and social sciences connected with Dewey Studies
• Business, finance, accounting, or other field connected with logistics, planning, & budget

• Knowledge of general office practices and procedures
• Familiarity with archival or academic research or publishing practices
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services
• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects
• Skill in oral and written communication
• Ability to work effectively with students, staff, the public, and outside constituency groups
• Ability to organize and multi-task
• Ability to supervise and knowledge of administrative concepts and methods
• Ability to utilize various computer software packages
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment

Illinois Residency Requirement: Pursuant to the State Universities Civil Service System, out-of-state candidates must…