Department Assistant 1

Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 22,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Winter recess

Job summary

Case Western Reserve University seeks a detail-oriented Department Assistant 1 to support the Department of Anthropology. This role reports to the Department Assistant 4 and the Department Chair, handling clerical tasks, scheduling, communications, and records.

The position offers a hybrid work option, confidentiality, and opportunities to contribute to course offerings, travel reimbursements, and event coordination while maintaining professional standards.

Qualifications

• High school education required; some college preferred.
• 2–3 years of related administrative experience.
• Experience in an academic environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Answer department phone and assist walk-in inquiries.
• Maintain office supplies, inventory, mail, and access control.
• Coordinate course offerings communications and syllabi updates; maintain databases.
• Process graduate applications and coordinate with School of Graduate Studies.
• Manage department websites and assist with lab hardware/software coordination.
• Schedule meetings, coordinate events, catering, and travel arrangements.
• Assist in preparing orientation materials and department newsletters.
• Support administrative staff and travel reimbursements.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Professionalism

Multitasking

Independence

Learning new software

Education

High school diploma

Some college preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Adobe InDesign

Dreamweaver/WordPress

Job description

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $18.44 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under occasional supervision, the Department Assistant 1 will provide administrative support to the Department of Anthropology. This position will report to and assist the Department Assistant 4 and the Department Chair in the department's day-to-day operations and will perform various clerical duties and typing assignments requiring speed and accuracy.

Essential Functions

• Facilitate dealing with others in the university relative to department work. Answer the main department telephone and assist with walk-in inquiries. Maintain office equipment, order departmental supplies in Smart Cart, maintain inventory, and track audiovisual equipment. Distribute department mail to professors, students and staff and sign for incoming packages. Administer card and key access to department for faculty, staff and students. Keep departmental procedure binder updated. (25%)
• Responsible for all communications concerning course offerings. Prepare new course proposals and changes in existing courses, including maintaining syllabi database. Produce a guide to the department¿s course offerings each semester. Update schedule of classes each semester and send reports to Dean¿s Office. Maintain historical course offering database for department. Maintain all department informational materials pertaining to both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Proofread and edit correspondence, reports, records, etc. as necessary. (10%)
• Process confidential information pertaining to departmental application files on prospective graduate students, keeping the department assistant 4 and department chair informed and forwarding materials to the School of Graduate Studies, including moderate work in Slate application system. Coordinate incoming graduate student applications, making sure all information has been received and is accessible for faculty review. Act as department contact for potential students trying to navigate the application process. Schedule meetings with faculty and prospective students. Assist in preparation of orientation materials for new students. (15%)
• Maintain department and affiliate websites including posting events and managing faculty sites, as per their request. Coordinate with UTech to maintain hardware and software in computer lab and for faculty members. (15%)
• Coordinate room requests and/or changes for events. Maintain calendar of department events and reserve rooms for meetings and events. Assist department assistant 4 with the planning of departmental functions including, but not limited to, creating and distributing announcements, coordinating catering, delivery and set up of refreshments and/or meals and travel plans. Working with department chair and department assistant, create program flyers/handouts and lecture flyers for posting and email distribution. (10%)
• Maintain all department informational materials pertaining to both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Maintain bulletin boards and displays, specifically world map of professors¿ research. Work with department chair and the faculty on marketing efforts for graduate programs. Create semi-annual newsletter. (10%)
• Assist department assistant 4 with travel reimbursements. Assist in preparation of receipt reconciliation (conversion rates, etc.) May provide clerical assistance to the department assistant 4. (10%)

Nonessential Functions

• Enter Lambda Alpha membership fees from students. Run errands as needed for department (posting flyers, deliver to School of Graduate Studies or Registrar's Offices). (5%)

Perform other duties as assigned.

CONTACTS

• Department: Frequent contact with faculty and staff to exchange information.
• University: Moderate contact with other university areas, primarily in interactions with University Technology (UTech) as needed to resolve any computer or network-related issues in the department or computer lab. Moderate contact with the Registrar's Office as needed to address class scheduling. Moderate contact with the School of Graduate Studies regarding graduate applications or related matters.
• External: Occasional contact with alumni through mailing of department newsletter or event invitations.
• Students: Frequent contact with work-study students to exchange information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Occasional supervision of work-study students throughout the academic year when applicable for specific projects to assist the department assistant 4 if unavailable.

Qualifications

Experience: 2 to 3 years of related administrative experience required, ideally in an academic environment.

Education: High school education required; some college preferred.

Required Skills

• Strong verbal, written and organizational skills including an ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work with interruptions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including spelling, grammar, and composition skills.
• High degree of professionalism, including punctuality and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Experience with Microsoft EXCEL, Word, Adobe InDesign, and an HTML program such as Dreamweaver, WordPress, or the ability to learn these programs.
• Ability to learn new software programs and technologies as needed.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies

WORKING CONDITIONS

Typical office environment. The employee will perform repetitive motion using computer mouse and keyboard to type. This position is eligible for the staff hybrid work program.

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.