Part-time Administrative Assistant II

Iowa State University; United States; On-site; USD 26,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and life benefits

Retirement plan

Onsite childcare

Wellbeing program

Job summary

Iowa State University seeks a Part-Time Administrative Assistant II to support the Department of Political Science’s front‑office operations in Ames, IA. The role greets visitors, answers inquiries, coordinates calendars, and assists with office tasks for faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

The position supports faculty reviews, student employment, onboarding, payroll processes, and campus recruitment events, with a 10‑month, 30‑hour‑per‑week schedule and a standard part‑time contract.

Qualifications

• Experience serving as a primary point of contact in a professional office setting.
• Strong organizational skills for managing calendars, schedules, and multiple tasks.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, handle competing deadlines, and ensure timely completion of assignments.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in administrative work and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily front-office operations including reception, phone and email inquiries, and visitor assistance.
• Coordinate department calendars, room reservations, meetings, and events.
• Maintain files, directories, listservs, website content, and office supplies.
• Process purchasing, financial transactions, travel arrangements, reimbursements, and purchasing card expenses.
• Coordinate IT and key requests, distribution, and returns for the department.
• Provide administrative support to the department chair, faculty, staff, and students.

Skills

Front office experience

Organization

Prioritization

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Position Title: Part-time Administrative Assistant II

Job Group: Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent and 3 years of related experience

Job Description

The Department of Political Science within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University is seeking a Part-Time Administrative Assistant II to support the department's daily front‑office operations. This position will greet and assist walk‑in visitors, directing individuals to appropriate campus services, and responding to telephone, email, and written inquiries from faculty, staff, students, patrons, and alumni.

Examples of Duties

• Manage daily front‑office operations, including reception, telephone and email inquiries, and visitor assistance.
• Coordinate department calendars, room reservations, meetings, and events.
• Maintain departmental files, directories, listservs, website content, and office supplies.
• Process purchasing, financial transactions, travel arrangements, reimbursements, and purchasing card expenses.
• Coordinate departmental IT and key requests, distribution, and returns.
• Provide administrative support to the department chair, faculty, staff, and students.
• Support faculty reviews, student employment, hiring, onboarding, and payroll‑related processes.
• Coordinate student recruitment activities, campus visits, student ambassadors, scholarships, and student opportunities.
• Assist with departmental events, guest speakers, faculty recruitment, and special projects.
• Provide backup administrative support to other departments as needed.
• Coordinate course scheduling, registration updates, faculty assignments, room reservations, and enrollment tracking through Workday.
• Support the graduate program, including admissions and processing assistantships for graduate students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as a primary point of contact and providing administrative support in a professional office environment.
• Strong organizational skills, including managing calendars, coordinating schedules, and balancing multiple administrative responsibilities.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing deadlines, and ensure timely completion of assignments.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in completing administrative tasks and maintaining records.

Employment Details

• This is a 10‑month, 30‑hour‑per‑week appointment, with an expected work schedule of Monday through Friday.
• Contract type: Part‑time
• Appointment Type: Regular
• Number of Months Employed: 10
• Work Period: Time Type: Part time
• Pay Grade: PS806
• Original Posting Date: November 10, 2026
• Posting Close Date: November 17, 2026
• Job Requisition Number: R20207
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefits

• Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work‑life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long‑term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

Diversity Statement

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran.

Inquiries regarding non‑discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515‑294‑7612, email [e-mail].

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran.

Inquiries regarding non‑discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515‑294‑7612, email [e-mail].

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [e-mail] or call (515) 294‑4800 or Toll‑Free: (877) 477‑7485.

TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7‑1‑1 or (800) 735‑2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land‑grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds.

Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community.

Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land‑grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.