MME Graduate Administrative Associate

Worcester Polytech; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement match

Wellness perks

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is seeking a Graduate Administrative Associate to support the MME department from acceptance through graduation for BS/MS/MS/PhD students. The role includes payroll processing for undergraduate and graduate students and coordination with the Provost Office for TA/RA payments.

Responsibilities include assisting with ABET materials, managing schedules, and providing general departmental support to faculty, staff, and students.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide Graduate Student Support to BS/MS/MS and PhD students from acceptance through graduation.
• Track graduate student population and generate routine/ad hoc reports.
• Handle TA/RA payments and timesheet approvals in coordination with the Hiring Specialist.

Skills

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Administrative experience

Communication

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma/GED

Job description

JOB TITLE MME Graduate Administrative Associate LOCATION Worcester DEPARTMENT NAME Mechanical & Materials Engineering DIVISION NAME Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY The Graduate Administrative Associate is primarily responsible for the support of the Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) Department's Bachelor's/Master’s (BS/MS), Masters (MS), and PhD students from acceptance through graduation. Involved at many levels in the support of the department’s Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants. Responsible for hourly undergraduate and graduate student payroll, including hiring, timesheet approval, and running reports as requested by the department. Assist the operations manager and faculty with the preparation and electronic storage of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) materials for the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Program.

JOB DESCRIPTION Responsibilities:

Provide Graduate Student Support: Work closely with the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Committee (MEGC) and the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Coordinator to support Bachelor's/Master’s (BS/MS), Masters (MS), and PhD students from acceptance through graduation. Track the department’s graduate student population and provide routine information and ad hoc reports. Track written and oral PhD qualifying exams, PhD thesis proposals, and MS and PhD thesis defenses. Post proposals and defenses on WPI Today and advertise within the department. Track submission of Graduate Degree Completion forms and BS/MS Double Counting forms throughout the year. Create agendas for Graduate Seminar guest speakers, and track student seminar attendance. Co-ordinate textbook orders throughout the year between faculty and WPI Bookstore. Order desk copies of textbooks for faculty and Teaching Assistant upon request. Assist the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Coordinator, and chair of the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Committee (MEGC) with assigning TAs, quarterly, utilizing instructor and TA survey responses: Responsible for RA/TA payments in coordination with Hiring Specialist in the Office of the Provost. Responsible for TA evaluations completed by instructors and students. Sharing evaluation outcomes with the MEGC chair, as well as the Teaching Assistants and their research advisors. Responsible for hourly undergraduate and graduate student payroll, including hiring, timesheet approval, and running reports as requested by the department: Attend Federal Work Study (FWS) Job Fair at start of academic year to recruit FWS students for the Mechanical Engineering Office and labs. Monitor monthly costing allocation reports, and proactively notify faculty of positions due to expire. Supervise student office workers; create updated schedules, by academic term. Manage Department Events: Quarterly TA meetings, BS/MS Information Sessions, PhD Information Session for WPI undergraduates. PhD Luncheons, Holiday Luncheons, Pi-Day Celebration Annual Visitation Retreat for Prospective PhD students. Utilize 25Live to reserve and approve requests for conference room(s) in Higgins Labs. Make reservations outside of Higgins Labs for departmental events. Provide administrative support: Manage Department Head’s outlook calendar, schedule zoom meetings, assist with IT and office equipment. Assist students, faculty, staff and visitors with information about the MME department and maintain a liaison with other WPI departments. Reply to inquiries on shared email alias [e-mail]. Submit work orders for department and request keys through maintenance. Request card swipe access to department labs, for students, through IT. Process expense reports using Workday. Assist new faculty with office set-up (furniture, keys, phones, supplies, business cards, etc.) Process paperwork and request campus access for visiting international students. Order Mechanical Engineering T-Shirts and gifts as needed. Provide back-up coverage for the Operations Manager and other administrative assistants. Facilitate Weekly/Quarterly Meetings Mechanical Engineering Graduate Committee One-on-one weekly meeting with Mechanical Engineering Graduate Coordinator, plus follow-up assignments. Graduate Administrator meetings with Graduate Studies Department Costing Allocation Meetings Affinity Group meetings.

Requirements:

High school degree or GED. 3 years of experience in an administrative or office setting. Excellent communication and computer skills are required. Proficiency using Excel, Word, and PowerPoint and have the ability and willingness to learn new computer skills and adapt to changing job requirements. High level of judgment and confidentiality, and the ability to interact effectively with a wide range of people. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Compensation:

Hourly pay rate: $21.25 - $25.00 per hour. Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity. WPI’s benefits package includes a robust retirement match, wellness perks, tuition assistance and more!

FLSA STATUS

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.

About WPI

WPI Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a vibrant and diverse community of extraordinary students, talented and dedicated staff, and world-renowned faculty. Along with its state-of-the-art research facilities, WPI offers competitive and comprehensive employee benefit programs, including paid time off, health insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement savings plans, tuition assistance, flexible spending accounts, and a working environment that prioritizes mental health and well-being. It is a community committed to civility and respect—making inclusion and belonging a reality for everyone on its campus.