Administrative Support Assistant - Animal Science

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Animal Science Department seeks an administrative support specialist to help manage the daily operations, keep office processes aligned with university policies, and assist the Department Head, faculty, staff, and students.

Responsibilities include front office duties, communications, travel and property coordination, event planning, and risk management compliance, with a focus on accuracy, professionalism, and teamwork in a busy campus

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; 45 wpm typing.
• Three years of general office support or technical experience.
• Training at a vocational school or full-time college education may substitute for two years of the required experience on the basis of one year of college education for 6 months of experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day operations of the Animal Science department and ensure alignment with university policies.
• Provide front office operations, departmental communications, and clerical support for the Department Head, faculty, staff, and students.
• Coordinate travel and property, plan events, and assist with logistics and office operations.
• Assist with risk management compliance and general operational support as needed.
• Foster teamwork and maintain positive working relationships across diverse campus stakeholders.

Skills

Customer service

Office procedures

Independent judgement

Data entry

Discretion

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Animal Science Department Head, this position supports the day-to-day operations of the Animal Science department and ensures departmental office alignment with university and department policies and procedures. Administrative support includes but is not limited to front office operations, departmental communications, administrative and clerical support, travel and property coordination, event planning and logistics, office operations, risk management compliance, and general operational support for the Department Head, faculty, staff, and students.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Animal Science Department Head, this position supports the day-to-day operations of the Animal Science department and ensures departmental office alignment with university and department policies and procedures. Administrative support includes but is not limited to front office operations, departmental communications, administrative and clerical support, travel and property coordination, event planning and logistics, office operations, risk management compliance, and general operational support for the Department Head, faculty, staff, and students.

Department Summary

The Animal Science Department offers degree programs in both Animal and Dairy Science. Students learn principles of animal biology, husbandry, behavior, nutrition, and reproduction with molecular biology and other life sciences in a variety of species. These principles apply to farm animals, wildlife, laboratory animals, and companion animals. This is a comprehensive hands‑on program offering learn-by-doing opportunities to gain experience with a variety of animal species.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated customer service experience, requiring a very high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and responsiveness in a fast-paced environment.
• Thorough knowledge of office methods, procedures, and practices.
• Ability to apply independent judgment, discretion, and initiative to address problems and develop practical, thorough and, at times, creative solutions.
• Ability to perform standard arithmetic functions of a transactional nature, including tracking and comparing data, purchasing and ordering.
• Ability to use tact, discretion, and sound judgment when handling sensitive situations, resolving conflicts, and interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate information clearly and accurately.

Education And Experience

High school diploma or its equivalent. Type 45 wpm. Three years of general office support or technical experience. (Training at a vocational school or full-time college education may be substituted for two years of the required experience on the basis of one year of college education for 6 months of experience).

Licenses, Certificates, Credentials

Possession of a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Salary And Benefits

• Anticipated Hiring Range: $42,780 - $51,120 per year
• Classification Range: $42,780 - $61,104 per year
• Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role includes experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
• Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.

About Cal Poly

Known for its Learn by Doing philosophy, Cal Poly is ranked among the top 10 public universities in the nation. Each year, more than 23,000 top-tier students come to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Maritime Academy in Solano County to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities, maritime and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands‑on philosophy, small class sizes and close student‑faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit www.calpoly.edu.

Working Within the California State University System

• Watch: California State University Careers | Jobs, Benefits & Purpose

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Education Code 89521 Requirements

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.