Admin Assistant, Academic (III) - Mathematics & Statistics - Part-Time

McMaster University; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 37,000 - 52,000; Part time

Job summary

McMaster University is seeking a part-time Graduate Administrative Assistant in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The role supports graduate students and faculty, handling admissions, curriculum updates and event coordination within the School of Computational Science and Engineering.

The successful candidate will assist with financial processes, budget monitoring, and provide front-desk support as part of a collaborative administrative team.

Qualifications

• The candidate holds a 2 year community college diploma in Office Administration or related field.
• At least 3 years of relevant administrative experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Support graduate admissions, curriculum updates and scheduling for the department.
• Coordinate events, seminars and department seminars and manage registrations.
• Assist with budgeting, financial processes and grant/award administration.
• Greet visitors and respond to inquiries in person, by phone or email.

Skills

Administrative support

Customer service

Scheduling

Detail-oriented

Education

2 year Community College diploma in Office Administration or related field

Tools

MS 365 Suite

SharePoint

Mosaic/PeopleSoft

Job description

Admin Assistant, Academic (III) - Mathematics & Statistics - Part-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

2026/10/26

Job Type

Limited Term (>12 months)

Close Date

2026/11/04

Employee Group

Unifor Unit 1, Staff

Favorite Job

Department

Mathematics and Statistics

Full/Part Time

Part-Time

Salary Grade/Band

Grade 6

Salary Range

$26.99 - $38.03 (hourly)

Job Code

JD0677

Existing Vacancy

Yes - Backfilling as Existing

Contract Duration

12.7 Months

Target Number of Openings

1

17.5

Schedule 17.5 hours per week, schedule to be discussed with the successful candidate.

Education Level 2 year Community College diploma in Office Administration or related field of study.

Career Level Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

Job Description # JD0677

Anticipated Fill Date End of November

Job Description

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics is seeking a part-time (17.5 hours per week) Graduate Administrative Assistant. This position will be responsible for supporting the students in the School of Computational Science and Engineering. The School of Computational Science and Engineering offers graduate students the opportunity to undertake interdisciplinary research and education programs in science, engineering and business. Major responsibilities will include: managing the graduate admissions process; managing curriculum updates and course scheduling; supporting applicants through the admission process; supporting current students with administrative processes throughout their program of study; assisting with departmental review processes; website and social media presence; coordinating and/or assisting with special events and department seminars.

The successful candidate will be expected to work as part of the department's administrative team, providing back-up and assistance to other team members as required.
As a Unifor Unit 1 position, this role at McMaster offers robust, market-driven compensation, benefits, retirement savings plans/pensions, paid time-off, performance and service recognition, tuition assistance for employees, tuition bursary for dependents, and many other professional development and growth opportunities. To learn more about the total rewards available to the successful candidate, please access McMaster’s Total Rewards Overview for Unifor Unit 1 employees

Job Summary

Responsible for providing administrative support for an academic program or department. Plans and coordinates a variety of academic program or department events and activities and is also accountable for monitoring the graduate program budget and forecasting financial gains and shortfalls. Performs the duties of the position in accordance with established policies, procedures, and calendar of events. Responsible for ensuring adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff.

Purpose and Key Functions

• Identify and analyze problems with the program and prepare recommendations for review and approval.
• Investigate questions and resolve problems concerning program, curricula, and admissions.
• Inform faculty of student eligibility for funding opportunities and discuss funding scenarios and scholarship options on a case by case basis.
• Advocate on behalf of students who require accommodations or non-standard arrangements with regards to funding and program requirements.
• Collect, analyze, assess, and summarize information relevant to the decision making process and develop recommendations for final approval and implementation.
• Identify external funding opportunities and identify candidates in the program who meet the criteria for these competitions.
• Plan and coordinate a variety of events and activities such as seminars, workshops, and conferences.
• Create financial projections and make adjustments to the program budget throughout the fiscal year.
• Deliver a variety of academic program or department presentations.
• Review and process applications for internal and external scholarship competitions and program admission.
• Compile and distribute application and admission files for review by the Admissions Committee.
• Assess and summarize the qualifications of eligible applicants and ensure that all applications are complete.
• Provide updates to applicants about the status of their application.
• Coordinate and organize regularly recurring events such as registration, timetabling, room bookings, examinations, committee meetings, and course material requests.
• Monitor and review program registrations and liaise with other departments to process changes to student records and registration.
• Compile course information and update course calendar information.
• Apply standard mathematical skills such as calculations, formulas, and equations to perform routine calculations.
• Greet visitors, answer or redirect general inquiries in person, by telephone and via email and respond independently to inquiries that are specific in nature and require a thorough knowledge of established policies and procedures.
• Provide program and admissions information to potential applicants, students and faculty.
• Act as a liaison between students and the various individuals and offices within and external to the department.
• Inform faculty of established procedures for exam preparation and grade submissions. Ensure that proper procedures are followed and deadlines are adhered to.
• Ensure that there are no conflicts with student timetables and work with the appropriate office to resolve course conflicts.
• Monitor student course registration and provide electronic permissions to allow students to enrol in limited enrolment courses.
• Monitor budgets and reconcile accounts. Complete financial forms such as travel expense reports, electronic cheque requisitions, purchase orders and journal entries.
• Gather and compile the paperwork required to facilitate hiring and payment processes.
• Input financial and employee information required to process pay.
• Write a variety of documents such as correspondence, reports, and meeting minutes.
• Format, word process, edit, and proofread a variety of documents and materials.
• Gather and compile data and documentation for a variety of reports, memos, and program activities.
• Gather, assemble, and distribute documentation required for registration, course material, grade appeals, reinstatements, course overload and prerequisite permissions, and transfer credits.
• Collect, verify, and input data into a variety of spreadsheets and databases.
• Update and maintain information and content on websites and social networks.
• Coordinate the calendar of supervisor and resolve scheduling conflicts.
• Schedule and coordinate meetings including room bookings, agendas, catering and travel arrangements.
• Monitor and order office supplies.
• Source and obtain pricing information for office supplies and equipment.
• Set up and maintain filing systems, both electronic and hard copy.
• Classify, sort, and file correspondence, records, and other documents.
• Update and maintain confidential files and records. Handle sensitive material in accordance with established policies.
• Assemble, copy, collate, and disseminate a variety of documents and materials.
• Open and distribute incoming mail and faxes.
• Prepare outgoing mail, faxes, and courier shipments.
• Maintain the confidentiality of student files and documents.

Supervision

Ensure adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff.

Requirements

• 2 year Community College diploma in Office Administration or related field of study.
• Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

Assets

Prior experience at McMaster in a graduate program setting.

Additional Information

The successful applicant will ideally have experience working in the university environment at the graduate program level.

Qualified candidates will have a thorough understanding of McMaster's graduate programming and academic policies; proficiency in office software (Microsoft 365 - Word, Outlook, Excel, Sharepoint); experience using Mosaic/Peoplesoft; and the ability to learn new technologies quickly.

The ideal candidate will be friendly, energetic, tactful, highly organized and motivated, and able to work well under pressure. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills as there will be daily interaction with faculty, students, staff, applicants, other departments and members from the external community. Must have the ability to work both independently and part of a team to meet strict deadlines and handle heavy volumes of work during peak periods. Must be detail oriented and have the ability to complete tasks with a high degree of accuracy.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to [e-mail] or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.

AI Statement

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.