Office Assistant (Part-Time)

Mercatus Center Inc; Arlington, Fairfax (VA, VA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Mercatus Center at George Mason University and the Institute for Humane Studies invites applications for a Part-Time Office Assistant in Arlington. This role supports front office, mail distribution, and space maintenance for ~300 staff across Arlington and Fairfax campuses.

Responsibilities include greeting visitors, answering calls, coordinating facilities services, handling mail, and assisting with events and onboarding.

Qualifications

• Polished and professional presence; can do attitude; a team player.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in general office applications.
• Familiarity and working knowledge of general office machines.
• Ability to lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Greets and assists visitors, creating a professional first impression.
• Answers incoming calls during business hours and routes them to the appropriate person or voicemail.
• Communicates building needs and coordinates services, such as HVAC and cleaning, with building property staff for regular and after-hours events.
• Receives, sorts, and distributes incoming mail and packages daily.
• Organizes pick-ups and deliveries for outgoing shipments.
• Prepares offices for new hires before and after arrival, ensuring all supplies are in place.
• Orders, receives, and stores office and break room supplies and restocks as needed.
• Performs weekly checks of building spaces, including review of maintenance needs, cleaning refrigerators, and restocking conference room supplies.
• Assists the Office Manager with special projects, event logistics, vendor coordination and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Professionalism

Communication skills

Team player

Can-do attitude

Office equipment handling

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Office software

General office machines

Job description

Position Type: Part-Time, In-Person, Monday-Friday, 10am – 2pm. Occasional schedule adjustments may be required based on business needs or special events.Overview:If you’re passionate about supporting a team of intellectually curious colleagues who bridge the gap between education and real-world problems, we invite you to consider joining the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and the Institute for Humane Studies as our Part-Time Office Assistant.This role supports the efficient day-to-day operation of an office environment serving approximately 300 employees across our Arlington and Fairfax locations. You’ll be a go-to resource for front office support, facilities coordination, mail distribution, and maintenance of shared spaces, helping ensure a welcoming and well-run office for staff and guests alike.Specific Duties:Greets and assists visitors, creating a professional first impression.Answers incoming calls during business hours and routes them to the appropriate person or voicemail.Communicates building needs and coordinates services, such as HVAC and cleaning, with building property staff for regular and after-hours events.Receives, sorts, and distributes incoming mail and packages daily.Organizes pick-ups and deliveries for outgoing shipments.Prepares offices for new hires before and after arrival, ensuring all supplies are in place.Orders, receives, and stores office and break room supplies and restocks as needed.Performs weekly checks of building spaces, including review of maintenance needs, cleaning refrigerators, and restocking conference room supplies.Assists the Office Manager with special projects, event logistics, vendor coordination and other duties as assigned.Qualifications:High School diploma or GED.Polished and professional presence; can do attitude; a team player.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Proficiency in general office applications.Familiarity and working knowledge of general office machines.Ability to lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.How to ApplyPlease submit resume.About the Mercatus CenterThe Mercatus Center at George Mason University is where top classical liberal scholars solve real-world challenges. Grounded in the tradition of market-oriented thinking and classical liberal ideas, we equip high-agency talent to apply bold ideas that shape institutions, inform policy, and help people flourish.About the Institute for Humane StudiesThe Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) is a think network advancing the principles and practices of freedom in the academy, public policy, and civil society.Founded in 1961, IHS believes that the liberal tradition has yielded unprecedented freedom and human flourishing. And in this moment, when the forces of illiberalism on both the left and right are gaining ground at an alarming pace, our vision is to spark a new spirit of liberal freedom.EEO StatementThe Mercatus Center and IHS are both an equal employment opportunity employer. Welcoming applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.E-VerifyThe Mercatus Center participates in E-Verify. Upon hire, Mercatus will provide the U.S. Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.