Administrative Assistant

University of South Carolina

Columbia, Northern (SC, KY)

Hybrid

USD 41,000 - 60,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement programs

Paid tuition

13 paid holidays

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

University of South Carolina is seeking an Administrative Assistant in the Purchasing Department in Columbia. The role provides primary administrative support, coordinates calendars, and assists with bid opening processes.

You will log and safeguard bids, respond to inquiries, and support procurement card administration while ensuring efficient departmental operations and excellent customer service.

Qualifications

Requires 2+ years of job-related experience.
High school diploma or GED required.
Knowledge of procurement policies and procedures preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide Administrative Support to the Purchasing Department including scheduling meetings and managing calendars.
Serve as bid clerk by handling solicitations, logging bids, and ensuring confidentiality.
Process procurement card applications and respond to inquiries; support supplier communications and inbound/outbound communications.
Greet visitors and handle phone/email inquiries; direct to appropriate resources.
Perform other administrative duties as assigned.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Customer service

Greet visitors

Verbal and written communication

Calendar management

Phone and email handling

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

PeopleSoft

Blackboard scheduling

Procurement Card (P-Card)

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by November 2, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

Health and Life Insurance
Retirement Programs
Paid Tuition
13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
Professional Development Opportunities

Basis 12 months

Job Search Category

Job Search Category Administrative

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Posting Summary Logo Posting Number STA00702PO26 Job Family Administrative Support Job Function Administrative Services USC Market Title Administrative Assistant Link to USC Market Title https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/131895 Job Level A3 - Administrative/Operational Support Business Title (Internal Title) Administrative Assistant Campus Columbia Work County Richland College/Division Division of Administration and Finance Department DAF Purchasing and Central Supply State Pay Range G06 USC Market Range MRC - $41,073 $50,315 $59,556 Anticipated Hiring Range $41,073 - $50,315 Location of Vacancy Part/Full Time Full Time Hours per Week 37.5 Work Schedule

Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis 12 months

Job Search Category Administrative

About USC

About University of South Carolina

Benefits for FTE Positions The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description Advertised Job Summary This position serves as the primary administrative support and reception contact for the University of South Carolina Purchasing Department, providing customer service to faculty, staff, students, suppliers, and visitors. The Administrative Assistant coordinates departmental calendars, schedules meetings and training sessions, manages conference room reservations, and supports procurement card administration by processing applications, verifying employment status, and responding to inquiries. As the department’s bid clerk, the position receives, logs, safeguards, and coordinates the opening of sealed bids and solicitations while ensuring confidentiality and compliance with procurement procedures. The role also serves as a sourcing support resource by expediting requisitions, directing purchase requests to appropriate buyers, and identifying procurement card opportunities. Additionally, the position manages incoming communications, distributes departmental mail, and troubleshoots inquiries to ensure efficient departmental operations and customer service.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

Typically holds a high school diploma or GED . Requires 2 or more years of job related experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of procurement policies and procedures, PeopleSoft familiarity, Blackboard scheduling, P-Card familiarity.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Ability to greet visitors with a professional demeanor at all times. Excellent verbal and written customer service skills.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or other database and word-processing software. Above average typing skills.
Knowledge of office procedures, practices and equipment. Good organizational skills and attention to detail. Professionalism in an office environment.

Job Duties

Job Duty Provides Administrative Support to the Purchasing Department. Schedules meetings, tracks department calendar, manages conference room calendar to ensure availability for bid openings, vendor pre-bid meetings, etc. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 25

Job Duty Serves as bid clerk by receiving solicitations, handling incoming quotes and all sealed bids, logging and safeguarding bids to insure security and confidentiality. Serves as a witness for bid openings and oversees the bid opening process. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15

Job Duty Researches employee payroll/listing to verify employment status for procurement card applicants, administers notifications for Blackboard procurement card testing, updates procurement card chart field information, assigns roles, processes procurement card applications, and answers procurement card inquiries. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15

Job Duty Serves as sourcing clerk by expediting requisitions and identifies designated buyer for processing of purchase order. Reviews requisitions prior to expediting to determine possible use of the procurement card. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15

Job Duty Opens incoming mail and distributes to appropriate persons within the department. Handles incoming telephone calls and assists and/or directs faculty, staff, students, vendors, etc. Transfers calls to appropriate areas. Troubleshoots telephone inquiries for problem resolution. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10

Job Duty Greets walk-in customers, handles incoming telephone calls and assists and/or directs faculty, staff, students, suppliers, etc. Transfers calls to appropriate resource. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15

Job Duty Performs other administrative duties as assigned. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive No Hazardous weather category Non-Essential

Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date 10/01/2026 Job Open Date 09/18/2026 Job Close Date 11/02/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicant Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

EEO Statement The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.

Supplemental Questions

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