Academic Admin Specialist: Hiring, Onboarding & Operations

Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 37,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition discount

Health insurance (medical, dental, and

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking an Administrative Support Assistant to provide advanced administrative and operational support for the unit’s part-time personnel functions. The role coordinates part-time hiring, onboarding, separations, and acts as the department initiator in a centralized financial model.

The position serves as a primary administrative resource for faculty and leadership, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and continuity of administrative support for the unit.

Qualifications

• Advanced administrative and operational support for unit processes.
• Independently coordinates part-time hiring, onboarding and separations.
• Acts as unit initiator in centralized financial model and pays/reconciles bills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate hiring for part-time and student employees, including onboarding and separations.
• Monitor payroll-related data for accuracy and coordinate resolutions with faculty and central offices.
• Administer undergraduate research programs, including stipends, onboarding, documentation and compliance tracking.
• Serve as administrative contact for department property inventory, facilities and package distribution.
• Interpret and apply university policies; advise on procedures and escalate complex issues.
• Initiate and pay recurring bills and departmental purchases (furniture, equipment, labs upgrades).
• Manage and post to department social media accounts.
• Assist with coordinating department events.

Skills

Administrative support

Hiring coordination

Onboarding

Timekeeping

Compliance

Communication

Education

GED or HS

Job description

Penn State University is seeking an Administrative Support Assistant to provide advanced administrative and operational support for the unit’s part-time personnel functions. The role coordinates part-time hiring, onboarding, separations, and acts as the department initiator in a centralized financial model.

The position serves as a primary administrative resource for faculty and leadership, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and continuity of administrative support for the unit.