Office Specialist V

Kansas State University; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas State University’s Department of Grain and Food Science is seeking an experienced administrative associate to support the department head and coordinating broad academic and outreach activities. This onsite role involves handling complex scheduling, communications, events, and confidential information while collaborating with faculty, staff, and external partners.

The candidate will contribute to a high-performance team across four undergraduate and four graduate programs, supporting

Qualifications

• Requires four years of relevant experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline is highly preferred.
• Experience in administrative/programmatic support and event coordination.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, calendars).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level administrative support to the Department of Grain and Food Science and department head.
• Coordinate scheduling, calendars, events, and meetings; support for communications.
• Serve as first point of contact for stakeholders, alumni, supporters, and students.

Job description

About This Role

This position provides the highest-level administrative associate support to the Department of Grain and Food Science (GFS) and its department head in carrying forward the activities of the department. GFS is a complex department which includes four undergraduate and four graduate degree programs, research, and extension in both grain and food sciences, and is home to the International Grains Program Institute. These comprehensive efforts are supported by over 50 faculty and staff employees located in between main campus and north campus in one of our four facilities off Kimball. This position is the focal point of activities for many of these efforts internally and often serves as the first point of contact for many stakeholders, alumni, supporters and students in Grain Science and Food Science.

About Us

The Department of Grain and Food Science is committed to providing high-quality education, advancing innovation in grain and food science research, and building strong industry partnerships to meet the evolving needs of global food systems.
Our faculty includes several current and former Grain and Food Science members who are ranked among the world’s top 2% of researchers in a 2020 Stanford University study.
For more than 110 years, Kansas State University has been a global leader in flour milling and industry-focused education. Since 1951, it has remained one of the few institutions worldwide to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees in Bakery Science and Management, Feed and Pet Food Science, Food Science, and Milling Science and Management.
Our internationally recognized graduate program also provides a wide range of opportunities for both applied and fundamental research, leading to master’s and doctoral degrees in grain science, food science, and related fields.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires four years of relevant experience.
• Requirements may be met through a combination ofeducation and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, particularly business management and/or communications is highly preferred.
• Experience in administrative/programmatic support, coordination for an administrator, scheduling/calendar management, support for events, meetings, and communication support.
• High proficiency with technology, including skills with Microsoft Office suite (specifically word, excel, online calendaring, scheduling)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise judgment and discretion and maintain integrity with sensitive or confidential information.
• Demonstrated problem solving and analytical skills, including the ability to research and analyze administrative problems, make recommendations, and take appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to be flexible, innovative, and receptive to taking on new or changing responsibilities.
• Ability to work independently or as a member of a team with accountability for results.
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently and pay attention to accuracy, detail and follow through.
• Customer service orientation and strong interpersonal skills including courtesy, professionalism, and a cooperative attitude.
• Proven ability to interact effectively in a multicultural environment with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of university policies and procedures.
• Supervisory skills.
• Ability to take initiative and make difficult decisions.
• Event planning experience.

Additional Role Information:

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

Application Window

Applications close on: October 25, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

42,216.00 - 65,000.00