Office Specialist 2

Career Center at Portland State University

Portland (OR)

On-site

USD 27,000 - 30,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Retirement plan

Vacation package

Tuition benefits

Job summary

Portland State University Career Center is seeking an Office Specialist 2 to manage office operations for the Student Success Division, guiding workflows for 75+ staff and 20+ student employees. The role emphasizes change management, process improvements, and confidential handling of sensitive information.

The ideal candidate will lead hiring, onboarding, and development of student staff, support full-time staff onboarding, and coordinate cross-unit projects for student success initiatives.

Qualifications

Two years of general clerical experience with typing/word processing.
Associate degree or certificate in Office Occupations/Office Technology with related clerical experience.

Responsibilities

Provide office management for the Student Success Division (PSU) and oversee 75+ staff and 20+ student employees.
Lead hiring, onboarding, and professional development of student staff to build PSU talent pipeline.
Coordinate onboarding for full-time staff and support professional development.

Skills

Project coordination

Change management

HR concepts

Asana

Google Suite

Staff supervision

Communication

Customer service

Education

Associate degree in Office Occupations or Office Technology

Certificate in Office Occupations or Office Technology

Tools

Asana

Google Suite

Job description

Position Announcement

Position Details

Proposed Start Date 10/01/2026 Classification Title Office Specialist 2 Working Title Office Specialist 2 Department 200272 - ACS Academic & Career Services Position Number D96306 Representation OP - SEIU/OPEU Local 503 Position FTE 1.0 FTE End date, if applicable

Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept

Advising & Career Services (ACS) is a unit within the division of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs at Portland State University. ACS provides 1)advising to undergraduates who have not selected a major, 2) career services to all graduate & undergraduate students and alumni and 3) campus leadership related to advising and careers.

Position Summary

The Office Specialist 2 will provide office management to the Student Success Division, which includes units critical to the student experience (Undergraduate Academic Advising, Student Academic Support Services/Academic Coaching, Transfer Center, Office of Student Success, and the University Career Center.

This position provides oversight, change management, student staff leadership and development, communication coordination, and project coordination across the units, which includes 75+ staff and 20+ student employees. The position will have access to and need to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information. A key component of this role is to strategize process improvements to ensure that all office operations run effectively so that students are served across the unit.

Successful Candidate Characteristics & Mindsets

Ability to deftly handle project logistics, operations, and change management across 5 offices with student success being at the forefront.
Lead the hiring, onboarding, training, and professional development of student staff with the goal of developing a pipeline of future PSU employees.
Support the onboarding of full-time staff and provide assistance in professional development and training.
Ability to anticipate problems, provide solutions, and create process improvement plans to better serve students with quality control.
Must have sound judgment, anticipatory skills, confidentiality, negotiation, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and oral/written communication skills.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple competing needs across 75+ staff and 20+ student employees. Demonstrated proficiency with project management/scheduling and task management software.
A deep, demonstrated commitment to understanding and improving the student experience and an evident dedication to student success.
A positive, forward-looking attitude with a creative and solutions-focused orientation to higher education.
A demonstrated capacity to support students, faculty, and staff through change, and a strong interest in innovation.

Minimum Qualifications from Classification

Two years of general clerical experience. One year of which included typing, word processing, or other experience generating documents; OR An Associate’s degree in Office Occupations or Office Technology; OR Graduation from a private school of business with a Certificate in Office Occupations or Office Technology AND one year of general clerical experience.

Note

College courses in Office Occupations or Office Technology will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Additional Minimum Qualifications For This Position

2-3 year of project coordination experience
High degree of attention to detail and follow through
Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively toward goal achievement
Demonstrated ability to anticipate issues and provide appropriate solutions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Solid understanding of HR principles/policies/employee relations
Proficiency project management tools such as Asana, Google Suite, and more
Demonstrated time and project management skills
Experience guiding the work of others
Strong interpersonal skills
Service orientation and ability to facilitate, anticipate and coordinate requests/needs

Preferred Qualifications

Higher education experience
Working knowledge of Higher Education Academic Services and practices
Bachelor’s degree

Key Cultural Competencies

Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
Adheres to all PSU policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5:00pm

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

The starting salary for this position will be between $19.36 and $21.91 per hour, dependent upon qualifications and experience with an excellent benefits package including 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition benefits for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

Background Check Required Yes

Search Details

Posting Close Date Application screening begins 08/31/2026

Supplemental Questions