NEXT Lab Operations Assistant

acu; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Abilene Christian University (ACU) NEXT Lab seeks an Operations Assistant to support faculty, staff, and students. The role coordinates purchasing, hiring of student employees, and maintains lab records, contributing to a productive, mission-driven team.

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong organizational skills, multitasking ability, and professional integrity. Proficiency in MS Office and Google apps is expected, with willingness to handle confidential information and adapt to changing

Qualifications

• Must be a professing Christian and support ACU's Christian mission.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing and processing purchase orders.
• Coordinate the student employee hiring process.
• Provide general administrative support to the department.
• Maintain an approved vendor list and monitor inventory.
• Arrange for payment of goods and services.
• Receive deliveries and distribute to recipients.
• Maintain records of purchasing transactions.
• Post job openings and schedule interviews.
• Assist with student training and onboarding.
• Maintain departmental student information and lab books.
• Create monthly and quarterly research reports.
• Assist with event planning and meeting logistics.
• Keep records of visitors and contacts.
• Maintain a database of NDAs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Written and verbal communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Initiative and decision-making

Handling sensitive information

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

The ACU NEXT Lab is looking for a detail-oriented and proactive staff member to join our team and provide essential support to our operations. This individual will be an integral part of our team and will be able to coordinate efforts between faculty, staff, and students. The Operations Assistant will handle a variety of tasks ranging from administrative support, communications, purchasing, facilitating student hiring, and maintaining lab records. Their ability to multitask, prioritize, and maintain a high level of professionalism will contribute to the overall productivity and success of our team.

NEXT Lab Core Values

• 1. Christ-like Character
  We lead with humility, integrity, and wisdom. We strive to be honest mentors who reflect Christ in our actions and relationships.
• 2. Driven to Deliver
  We take initiative, work hard, and stay curious. We're proactive, creative problem-solvers who are always learning and pushing forward to get things done.
• 3. Better Together
  We believe in the power of collaboration. We communicate openly, support one another, and bring a spirit of respect, fun, and teamwork to everything we do.

An ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong desire to integrate into a team that shares our core values and possess the skills listed below. Candidates who align well with our values but may not yet have all of the desired skills may still be considered.

Basic Responsibilities:

• A. Assist in the preparation and processing of purchase orders.
• B. Assist in coordinating the student employee hiring process.
• C. Provide general administrative support to the department.
• D. Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties:

• A. Assist in the preparation and processing of purchase orders.
  
  • Maintain an approved vendor list.
  • Monitor inventory levels and reorder supplies as needed.
  • Source catalog goods for NEXT Lab projects, and procure them in accordance with project schedules.
  • Arrange for payment of goods and services.
  • Receive incoming deliveries and distribute them to the appropriate recipient.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all purchasing transactions, including monthly expense reports.
• B. Assist in coordinating the student employee hiring process.
  
  • Post job openings and schedule interviews.
  • Communicate with candidates and facilitate their questions.
  • Assist with student employee training and onboarding.
  • Assist with student employment administrative tasks, including maintaining departmental student information and a library of student lab books.
• C. Provide general administrative support to the department.
  
  • Create monthly and quarterly research reports.
  • Assist with event planning and meeting logistics.
  • Keep records of visitors and contacts.
  • Maintain a database of Non-Disclosure Agreements.
• D. Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  • The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Qualifications

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

Professional Development Requirements:

• Training
  • General computer skills including proficiency with typing, email, PDFs, online calendars, etc.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google products (e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Professional
  • Minimum: High School Diploma
  • Preferred: Bachelor's Degree
• Personal Skills
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in work.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Ability to adapt to frequent change and handle multiple tasks.
  • Ability to operate within design time and constraints.
  • Initiative and responsible decision-making skills.
  • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Physical Demands
  • Good health and stamina to walk stairs or lift and carry packages
  • Ability to handle stress well (high volume and high speed demands)
  • Ability to sit at a desk for prolonged periods as needed

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates f