Academic Support Specialist

Widener University; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A metropolitan university is seeking an Academic Support Specialist to provide essential support to the Institute for Physical Therapy Education. The ideal candidate has administrative experience and strong communication skills. Responsibilities include managing schedules, facilitating student orientation, and maintaining inclusive interactions. This is an opportunity to contribute to a supportive educational environment.

Qualifications

• At least one year of administrative assistant experience in a service-oriented environment.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic functions and bookkeeping.

Responsibilities

• Establish a welcoming, inclusive environment for all constituents.
• Serve as first point of contact for communications with the Institute.
• Organize new student orientation and events, graduation banquets.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Technical proficiency in Microsoft 365

Education

High school diploma or general education degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Datatel/Colleague/Coursedog/Slate systems

Canvas

Zoom

Job description

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Widener University is currently seeking an Academic Support Specialist in the Institute for Physical Therapy Education. Reporting to the Institute Program Director, this role provides support to the Institute for Physical Therapy Education.

The College, which has a focus on interprofessional education, service, and research, houses programs in clinical psychology, education, human sexuality, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, speech-language pathology and social work. Our students represent a multitude of identities. We aspire to develop a College faculty, staff, and curriculum that is anti-racist, anti-oppressive and reflects and respects our professional values. We seek to create an intentionally representative educational community in which students, staff, and faculty perspectives are valued and meaningfully incorporated into our work.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):

• Establish a welcoming, inclusive environment for all constituents of the Institute & College Administrative Team through effectively communication and interactions with persons of various backgrounds and abilities.
• Serve a first point of contact for communications with the Institute. Handles communications in a professional manner, responds to inquiries, screens and directs callers appropriately.
• Communicate, collect and organize all information that contributes to smooth operation of the Institute included by not limited to cohort schedules, Institute, College, and University calendars, course syllabi, faculty schedules, course evaluations, and student registration.
• Participate in the collection and synthesis of data needed for accreditation reports.
• Collaborate with the Program Director and College Administrative Team to manage budget, faculty adjunct and overload contracts.
• Collaborate with Program Director for the ordering of office & instructional supplies, book orders, special orders, and processing of expense reports.
• Organize new student orientation and events, graduation banquet, and other special events significant to the Institute and across the College
• Support the Program Director in the management of scholarship applications & awards.
• Manage graduation processing and licensure verification for students within the Institute.
• Oversee Graduate Assistants and student workers serving within the Institute.
• Oversee physical plant and housekeeping of relevant spaces.
• Support management of calendar, appointments and meetings for the Program Director.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned or directed.

Secondary responsibilities:

• Support all members of the College Administrative Team in tasks as needed.
• Work collaboratively with the Team to contribute to a positive work environment.
• Serve on specific College Administrative Teams as indicated.
• Assist in the coordination of College special events as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):

Required:

• High school diploma or general education degree.
• At least one year of administrative assistant experience in a service-oriented environment or any combination of experience, training or education, which provides the necessary skills, ability and knowledge.
• Prior experience in use of personal computers, applicable software and the internet; intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic functions, bookkeeping, basic accounting, and basic statistics including programming of Excel spreadsheets.
• Competence with data entry and ability to learn university Datatel/Colleague/Coursedog/Slate systems, Office365, Teams, and OneDrive.
• Ability to navigate web-based programs including, but not limited to, learning management system (Canvas) and teleconference software (Zoom).
• Superior interpersonal skills and oral and written communication skills.

Preferred:

• Three+ years of administrative assistance experience in a service-oriented environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:

• Job requires ability to sit and work at computer for long periods. Ability to conduct business on phone or videoconference platforms and answer in a timely manner. Ability to move between offices, floors and buildings on campus.
• Some evenings and weekends may be required for events.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive.We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.

Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy.

Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at