DSA Administrative Assistant (Student) (FWS)

American University; Washington; On-site; USD 22,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

American University is hiring a part-time DSA Administrative Student Assistant for the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs. The role encompasses administrative tasks, communications, design support, and data collection to help create a welcoming student-focused office.

The student must be enrolled at AU, have a current Federal Work-Study award, and be available to work 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. with a 10-hour weekly schedule. Salary is $18.40 per hour.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or equivalent.
• Active enrollment as an AU student (undergrad/grad).
• Current Federal Work-Study award and continued eligibility.
• Strong written and verbal communication and customer-service skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and designated units.
• Assist with communications, digital content, and presentations.
• Support data collection, research, and event coordination.
• Maintain confidentiality and refer urgent matters to professional staff.

Skills

Communication skills

Microsoft 365

Organizational skills

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student

Federal Work-Study eligibility

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community.

This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions. FWS funds cannot be applied to janitorial, construction, partisan or sectarian positions. For information or questions regarding FWS funds, please contact American University’s Office of Financial Aid.

Department:

Student Affairs Administrative Support

Time Type:

Part time

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Job Description:

Summary:

The DSA Administrative Student Assistant provides administrative, communications, research, event, and project support to the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and other designated divisional units. The student assistant helps create a welcoming and student-centered first point of contact while supporting digital communications, visual design, presentations, research, data collection, events, and routine office operations.

The student assistant must exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, follow established protocols, and promptly refer urgent, complex, or highly sensitive matters to professional staff. The student assistant does not provide counseling, guidance, conduct determinations, or crisis intervention.

Essential Functions

1.) Constituent and Office Support

• Monitor routine inquiries received through telephone lines, and reception areas; respond when appropriate and route questions to the correct staff member or campus resource.
• Welcome students, families, faculty, staff, and visitors and provide accurate, courteous, and timely information about office services and procedures.
• Use established referral protocols to identify and immediately elevate urgent, sensitive, or complex concerns to professional staff.
• Support scheduling, document preparation, filing, scanning, copying, mail distribution, records organization, meeting agendas, notes, and routine follow-up.
• Help maintain an organized, professional, inclusive, and accessible office environment, including shared spaces, supplies, and digital resources.

2.) Communications, Graphic Design, and Digital Engagement

• Create and edit flyers, digital graphics, signage, handouts, newsletters, and promotional materials using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or other approved tools.
• Develop polished PowerPoint presentations, briefing materials, reports, templates, infographics, and other visual communications for divisional leaders and staff.
• Draft, proofread, and edit email, website, newsletter, presentation, and social media content in alignment with university brand and accessibility standards.

3.) Research, Data, and Special Projects

• Conduct background research, benchmarking, and environmental scans related to student affairs programs, policies, trends, and peer-institution practices.
• Summarize findings in concise research briefs, comparison tables, annotated resource lists, and presentation materials.
• Collect, enter, organize, and verify program, participation, and assessment data.
• Support divisional initiatives and time-limited projects by maintaining project files, tracking action items, monitoring deadlines, and following up on assigned deliverables.

4.) Events, Meetings, and Student Engagement

• Assist with planning and coordinating meetings, programs, trainings, outreach activities, and divisional events.
• Support logistics including room reservations, calendars, registration forms, attendee lists, agendas, materials, signage, catering, technology, and post-event follow-up.
• Represent the Division of Student Affairs at information tables, campus programs, and other outreach opportunities.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Part-time.
• 10 hours per week.

Salary Range

• $18.40 per hour.

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Active part-time or full-time enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student at American University.
• Current Federal Work-Study award and continued eligibility throughout the employment period.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and customer-service skills.
• Demonstrated organization, attention to detail, reliability, and ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, calendars, and shared documents.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, seek guidance when needed, respond professionally to feedback, and maintain regular communication with the supervisor.
• Ability to exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, and serve a diverse community with professionalism, respect, cultural awareness, and an inclusive approach.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience with graphic design or visual content creation using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or comparable tools.
• Experience creating PowerPoint presentations, reports, infographics, or data visualizations.
• Experience conducting research, preparing summaries, using spreadsheets, administering surveys, or supporting assessment projects.
• Prior experience in a university office, student organization, customer-service role, communications setting, or event-planning environment.
• Knowledge of American University resources and the student experience.
• FERPA or other confidentiality training, or willingness to complete required training upon hire.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Part-time position during the full academic year, generally 8–10 hours per week.
• Work is primarily scheduled Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.; occasional evening or weekend support may be requested for programs or events with advance notice.
• The student employee must submit a current class schedule at the beginning of each fall and spring semester and maintain an agreed-upon work schedule.
• Continuation in the position is contingent upon satisfactory performance, continued student status, Federal Work-Study eligibility, and compliance with university policies and required training.
• Other duties may be assigned when they are consistent with the purpose and level of the position.

Other Details

• This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
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American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.