Administrative Support Specialist for Summer Session & Continuing Education - #202902

Western Carolina University Inc; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 51,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University seeks an Administrative Support Specialist for Summer Session and Continuing Education to provide administrative, program, and customer service support. The role is based on-site in Cullowhee, NC, coordinating summer payroll and related faculty processes while assisting with planning, scheduling, recruitment, and summer experiences.

You will maintain program information and records, track revenue and expenditures with the Business Officer, and support non-credit

Qualifications

• Strong administrative, clerical, and organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate summer payroll and related faculty processes.
• Assist with program planning, scheduling, recruitment activities, and summer experiences.
• Maintain program information and records, track revenue/expenditures with the Business Officer.
• Complete purchasing, travel, reimbursement and other administrative processes.
• Serve as backup proctor for the WCU Testing Center.

Job description

Administrative Support Specialist for Summer Session & Continuing Education - #202902

Posting Details

• Posting Number: SHRA1745P
• Quick Link for Internal Postings: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35926
• Classification Title: Administrative Support Specialist
• Competency Level: Advanced
• Working Title: Administrative Support Specialist for Summer Session & Continuing Education - #202902
• Department: Summer Session

About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:

• 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
• 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being subject to the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (SHRA).

A valid driver's license is required to perform job-related travel and other assigned duties.

The Administrative Support Specialist provides administrative, program, and customer service support for Summer Session and non-credit programs within Continuing Education and Summer Programs (CESP). The position will assist as a point of contact for faculty, staff, and external partners, responding to inquiries and connecting customers with appropriate information and resources.

The primary responsibility of the position is supporting the effective administration of Summer Session. This includes coordinating summer payroll and related faculty processes, assisting with program planning, scheduling, recruitment activities, and summer experiences, and working closely with the Executive Director and campus partners to ensure timely and accurate execution of program activities.

The position also supports non-credit programming and broader CESP operations by maintaining program information and records, developing relationships with internal and external partners, tracking revenue and expenditures with the Business Officer, and completing purchasing, payment, travel, reconciliation, and other administrative processes.

The position also supports the day-to-day administration and operation of non-credit programs offered through CESP, including program logistics, participant support, registration processes, and coordination with internal and external partners. In addition, the position will serve as a backup proctor for the WCU Testing Center as needed.

The work requires sound judgment, accuracy, initiative, effective use of university systems, and the ability to manage competing priorities while working independently and collaboratively.

Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

• Strong administrative, clerical, and organizational skills, with knowledge of standard office practices and procedures in an academic environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, including tact and diplomacy when working with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines, work independently and collaboratively, and perform effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases, with the ability to learn department-specific software and systems.

Minimum Qualifications

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an 'equivalent combination of education and experience.' If that language appears below, then you may qualify through either years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.

High school diploma or equivalency and one year of related office experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Compensation and Employment Type

Anticipated Hiring Range: $50,831

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours per Week: 40

Number of Months per Year: 12

Salary Band Range: $34,602 - $58,870

Salary Grade: For administrative purposes during the implementation of Career Banding this Advanced level position is considered a Salary Grade 63.

Posting Dates

Open Date: 11/05/2026

Close Date: 11/29/2026

Open Until Filled: No

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.