Senior Program Assistant - Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture Program

Introduction

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine value diversity in our members, volunteers, and staff and strive for a culture of inclusion in our workplace and activities. Convening a diverse community to exchange ideas and perspectives enhances the quality of our work and increases our relevance as advisers to the nation about the most complex issues facing the nation and the world.

Requisition Number: R0002778

The Center for Health, People, and Places advances scientific understanding and translates research into applications that support human well-being, their social and economic systems, and the environment that sustains all life on the planet.

The Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture program area convenes experts and leaders in food science, food safety, and food quality; nutrition and health; agricultural sciences and natural resources management to provide independent and cross-sector guidance to address a range of challenges in the food and agricultural system.

Performs complex clerical and administrative duties under minimal supervision. Coordinates logistical and administrative aspects of meetings. Writes, edits, and formats routine correspondence. Interfaces with committee members and performs duties involving committee activities. Plans administrative aspects of unit and committee, forum, and other types of meeting.

Under minimal supervision, primary function is the performance of clerical and administrative tasks requiring the consideration of multiple variables to determine proper course of action. Secondary function may involve basic research activities. Uses pre-determined guidelines to assist in decision-making.

1. Administrative
:
Performs routine and complex clerical and administrative tasks including but not limited to detailed scheduling activities, writing and editing correspondence, compiling and coordinating mailings, taking meeting notes, and facilitating follow-up actions. Updates applicable databases and systems on a timely basis and ensures documents and files are accurately maintained and archived. Maintains email and distribution lists.

2. Event Planning and Management
:
Coordinates and executes logistical arrangements for internal and external meetings and workshops in both virtual and in-person settings. For in-person meetings, coordinates travel and lodging arrangements, selects menus and arranges catering, arranges for support services (e.g. AV), and registers attendees. For virtual meetings, organizes and sets up virtual meeting platform (e.g. Zoom) according to the needs of the meeting, and coordinates with participants.

Whether virtual or in-person, assists at meetings and resolves issues. Assembles meeting materials and briefing books and distributes to meeting participants in advance of meeting. Coordinates and executes post-meeting tasks, such as preparing vouchers and reviewing and processing travel expense reports in compliance with applicable policies and procedures.

3. Communication, Dissemination, and Information Management
:
Updates applicable databases and systems on a timely basis and ensures documents and files are accurately maintained and archived. Maintains email and distribution lists, and coordinates website updates. Responds to inquiries and follows-up on communications. Communicates with members, sponsors, or other external customers, answering questions and providing information.

4. Publications
:
May assist with formatting, editing, and proofreading publications, as well as coordinating with printers/publishers to have materials printed.

5. Research Support
:
May perform basic research activities, including gathering citations and performing literature…