Administrative Assistant - Office Research and Graduate Education

The salary range for this position is $40,608.00 - $58,836.00. The job is funded for 1 year; continuation is based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

The Office for Research and Graduate Education (RGE) in the College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking an Administrative Assistant (Intermediate Support) to assist in facilitating and coordinating activities for the Senior Director of Research Development and Initiatives, serve on the administrative team for the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station (AES), and provide backup support for the Associate Dean for Research Operations and Graduate Education.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

• Providing general office support, including serving as the initial point of contact at reception, handling mail, maintaining office inventory, and replenishing office supplies.
• Supporting the Senior Director of Research Development & Initiatives in coordinating and scheduling meetings and special events (e.g., research symposia, seminars, outreach booths) and preparing materials for these activities.
• Coordinating the screening, assembling, and formatting of materials submitted for the establishment of local, state, or nationally focused research projects under the AES.
• Preparing correspondence and responses to inquiries regarding the AES and assisting with the administrative life cycle of research projects.
• Maintaining pertinent databases, including performing data entry, tracking research projects for the AES, and providing assistance with the development of reports.
• Providing 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.

• 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 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, One Drive), and Zoom is required.

• Preferred skills include familiarity with SIMBA, SAP Concur, Adobe Creative Suite, and File Maker.
• Familiarity with the USDA National Reporting System (NRS) and the National Information Management and Support System (NIMSS).

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

General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School (HS) plus 2+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required

Certifications:

None.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

In addition to a competitive salary range, Penn State offers a comprehensive benefits package for full‑time employees, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, robust retirement plans, substantial paid time off, and a generous 75% tuition discount available to employees, eligible spouses, and children.

Penn State is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.