Project Assistant, Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships

Job

Location:

Twin Cities

Job Family: LR-Clerical

Full/Part Time:
Full-Time

Regular/Temporary:
Regular

Job Code: 1885

Employee Class: AFSCME Unit 6 - Clerical

Bargaining unit consideration begins 8/3/2026 and closes 8/10/2026.

Working Title:

Project Assistant

Classification:
Executive Ofc and Admin Spec (job code 1885), AFSCME represented

Pay Range: $24.33 - $30.69/hour; depending on qualifications

Appointment:
Full-time, 40 hours a week (100% time);
Funded through June 30, 2028, with potential for continuation dependent on program needs, performance, and future funding

Office location:
Any University of Minnesota Extension Regional Office or St. Paul campus;
This is an in-office and in-person position, with flexibility and with a minimum of 2 days/week in office.

Apply by:
August 23, 2026

The Project Assistant supports grants and projects for Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP), in particular Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems projects. This administrative position is responsible for preparing documents, handling administrative requirements, tracking benchmarks and deliverables, and organizing systems to support the successful application, implementation, execution and completion of grants and projects.

This position can be located in a variety of University of Minnesota Extension offices around Minnesota or on the St. Paul campus. This is an in-office and in-person position, with flexibility, with expectations of at least two days/week in a designated office and potential for some flexibility.

This position will work primarily during typical business hours on weekdays. Exact work schedule will be negotiable. Occasional evenings and weekends are required, and 2-4 overnight stays are required over the year.

• Track deliverables and reporting deadlines for numerous active projects
• Maintain data systems about grants and projects that track start dates, end dates, benchmarks and additional critical information
• Prepare and provide reports on progress of projects, deliverables and other project-related outputs as scheduled and/or requested
• Serve as the primary point person for project managers and program directors seeking updates on the status of grant-related administrative tasks.
• Provide administrative support for the development of funding proposals by tracking requirements and deadlines, tracking progress, following up with partners on required elements of the proposal, and assembling the pieces as they are completed.
• Communicate with colleagues and partners to coordinate efforts to meet project deadlines and fulfill project deliverables.
• Proactively anticipate and troubleshoot potential bottlenecks in project timelines.

• Prepare required documentation for initiation of new projects and contracts with external partners and funders.
• Manage incoming project invoices and approvals through communication with partners and execution of University processes.
• Coordinate and track communication with external partners to streamline administrative steps and ensure timely responses.
• Perform other related financial administrative tasks and communication to support the accurate and timely tracking of project or grant expenditures.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify better ways to achieve end results and streamline administrative workflows.
• Monitor CERTs and/or SAFS departmental email(s) daily, and ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate documents.
• Manage project-related communication lists and databases.

• Maintains CERT's job board, the CERTs events calendar, and other online information sources by sourcing and updating relevant openings and listings.
• Support project management systems by helping staff navigate software platforms, troubleshooting technical issues, and improving workflows to prevent delays.
• Maintain and assist with organizing shared files structures, folders, and documents (e.g. Shared Drive folders and filing…