Program Assistant I

South Dakota Board of Regents; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 24,332 - 34,655; Full time

Job summary

South Dakota Mines seeks a Program Assistant I to provide professional administrative support to the Chemical and Biological Engineering department head, faculty, staff and students in Rapid City, SD. The role includes grant management support, accounting tasks, and general office duties.

Responsibilities include processing requisitions and travel, maintaining databases, budgeting support, scheduling meetings, greeting visitors, and maintaining the department webpage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; associate degree with relevant experience will be considered.
• Proficiency in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of basic bookkeeping and budgeting.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and office equipment.

Responsibilities

• Manage the department office and assist the department head and staff as needed.
• Process purchase requisitions, travel arrangements, reimbursements, and student employment requests.
• Create and maintain databases.
• Provide accounting support for faculty research grants and budget forecasting.
• Schedule and coordinate meetings.
• Answer the phone, greet visitors, and maintain the department web page.
• Copy, file, and process mail.

Skills

Professional communication

Interpersonal skills

Data management

Multitasking

Document editing

Cross-office collaboration

Learning new software

Office equipment

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Program Assistant I

Location: Karen M. Swindler Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rapid City, South Dakota.

Minimum hourly rate: $21.41 per hour, depending on education and experience.

Position Purpose

This position will provide professional and efficient administrative and office support to the Chemical and Biological Engineering department head, faculty, staff, and students. The role includes research proposal and grant award management support for accounting, bookkeeping, and budgeting. A wide variety of office support, research grant support, and department outreach duties must be carried out with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Manage the department office and assist the department head and staff as needed.
• Process purchase requisitions, travel arrangements, reimbursements, and student employment requests.
• Create and maintain databases.
• Provide accounting support for faculty research grants and budget forecasting.
• Schedule and coordinate meetings.
• Answer the phone, greet visitors, and maintain the department web page.
• Copy, file, and process mail.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of

• English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Basic bookkeeping and mathematical, budgeting, and accounting skills
• Modern office equipment practices and procedures
• Computer software applications, including Microsoft Office

Skills and Abilities

• Communicate professionally in a clear and concise manner
• Interact supportively with students, faculty, staff and visitors
• Manage and summarize data from a variety of sources
• Work independently, be detail-oriented, stay organized, prioritize, and handle multiple tasks while meeting deadlines
• Set up, type, or edit copy in a variety of formats
• Work with staff in other campus offices
• Use computer and learn new software
• Operate printers, scanners, copy machine, and other office equipment

Education

A bachelor’s degree is preferred, but an associate’s degree with relevant experience will be considered.

Application Procedure

Applications must be made online at https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu. South Dakota Mines offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package for employees, spouses and dependents, retirement plans, paid holidays, and a generous vacation and sick day allowance. Human Resources can provide accommodation to the online application process and may be reached at [phone] or [e-mail]. Review of applications will begin July 17, 2026. Employment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Please attach a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references (include name and email address for each reference).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota Mines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. South Dakota Mines and the Board of Regents ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination.