Administrative Assistant

Job Description

The Desert Research Institute (DRI) is seeking to fill an hourly Administrative Assistant position at its Reno, NV (NNSC) campus. The successful candidate will provide administrative support to various administrative units on campus, including serving as primary back‑up to the main reception function on a daily basis, and performing other clerical duties such as greeting visitors, answering phones, delivering mail, and accepting and appropriately managing shipping and receiving.

The position will also provide administrative and clerical support to the President’s Office, Vice President of Research (VPR) office, Advancement, Financial Services and Facilities.

• Provide administrative support to various administrative units on the NNSC campus.
• Serve as primary back‑up to the main reception function on a daily basis.
• Greet visitors, answer phones, deliver mail, and accept/manage shipping and receiving.
• Maintain, order, and restock supplies.
• Provide administrative and clerical support to the President’s Office, VPR office, Advancement, Financial Services and Facilities.

• High school degree or equivalent.
• One year of full‑time administrative experience.
• Basic computer skills and working knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, e‑mail, internet, and scheduling programs.
• Basic telephone (PBX) operator skills.
• Basic knowledge of shipping and receiving procedures.
• Basic understanding of how to handle emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of personnel, including technical and academic staff.
• Professionalism demonstrated through a high degree of confidentiality and the ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Strong customer service, interpersonal, and team‑oriented skills.
• Ability to work effectively in an environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and carry out assignments with minimal supervision.
• Valid NV driver’s license by date of hire.

• Employment is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check.

This position requires the ability to perform physical tasks such as moving, carrying, and lifting objects up to 30 lbs.; walking, sitting, and standing for prolonged periods; occasional stooping, bending, and kneeling.

This position starts at $25 per hour.

The position will work approximately 20 hours per week.

DRI is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment free of discrimination without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All applicants hired by DRI are subject to E‑Verify.