Administrative Support Assistant

Location: San Diego

The Department of Economics at San Diego State University is seeking a highly organized and motivated Administrative Support Assistant to join our team. The position supports day-to-day departmental operations, graduate program administration, event coordination, budget and purchasing activities, and serves as a critical point of contact for students, faculty, and external stakeholders.

• Operational Support: Provide primary day-to-day administrative and front-office support, including customer service, phone and visitor assistance, departmental communications, student assistant coordination, records and calendar maintenance, room scheduling, syllabi and meeting documentation, supply and equipment coordination, mail/shipping, facilities support, and assistance with student evaluations, data collection, reporting, and other departmental projects.
• Graduate Program Support: Support graduate program administration with inquiry responses, maintaining program information, processing student forms and documentation, coordinating communication among students, faculty, advisors, and the Graduate Office, and assisting with graduate employment, recruitment, admissions, onboarding, orientation, comprehensive exams, promotional materials, website updates, and student success activities.
• Event Support: Provide administrative and logistical support for department seminars, monthly Brown Bag events, boot camp activities, and related events, including scheduling, hotel reservations, conference room setup, IT/audiovisual coordination, visitor coordination, and event setup and cleanup.
• Budget and Purchasing Support: Process travel requests and reimbursements, track expenditures and funding allocations, support compliance across state, foundation, and other funding sources, and assist with Research Foundation grants, disbursements, stipends, purchase requisitions, labor distributions, documentation, payments, and personnel-related financial coordination.

• This is a full-time (1.0 time‑base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• This position is designated non‑exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• This position is approved for one day of telecommuting after an initial training period, with onsite work in San Diego.

Entry to this classification requires fundamental written and oral communication skills, including a sound foundation in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation; an ability to understand standard office procedures; an ability to operate standard office equipment; an ability to learn office technology systems; an ability to perform basic mathematical calculations; and typing and keyboard skills.

These entry qualifications would normally be obtained through completion of a high school program or its equivalent and some experience in an office environment.

• Demonstrated experience in procurement, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Experience working with university procurement policies and procedures, particularly within a higher education environment.
• Experience coordinating with university departments, research foundations, external agencies, or similar.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace (Gmail and Calendar).
• Experience with basic graphics programs.

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well‑being and professional growth.

• Initial step placement is not expected to exceed Step 3 ($3,709).
• Salary step placement for internal applicants will follow the CSUEU Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• CSU Classification Salary Range: $3,565 – $5,092 per month (Step 1 – Step 20).
• Future increases, including step advancements, are subject to contract negotiations.

• Generous Time Off
  : 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement
  :
  CalPERS pension plan with retiree…