Secretary II

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University in Ames, IA is seeking a dedicated Secretary II to support Residence Life operations and serve as a welcoming resource for students, families, staff, and partners.

You will handle administrative tasks, coordinate meetings and events, assist with purchasing, budgeting, personnel processes, and maintain records using university systems, helping to create a positive living-learning community.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time clerical experience or equivalent education with word processing.
• Experience providing administrative support in student services or higher education preferred.
• Ability to manage records, schedules and communications effectively.

Responsibilities

• Serve as welcoming first contact for students, families, staff, and visitors.
• Support daily office operations and maintain accurate records, files, and documentation.
• Process purchasing, personnel, budgeting, and other administrative transactions.
• Monitor expenditures and assist with account reconciliation and budget tracking.
• Coordinate meetings, training sessions, programs, and departmental events.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, schedules, and communications for a variety of audiences.
• Generate reports and maintain data using university systems and office software.
• Partner with Residence Life staff to support programs, services, and initiatives that enhance the student experience.
• Help foster a welcoming and supportive environment where students can live, learn, and thrive.

Skills

Word processing

Clerical experience

Education

Undergraduate education

Clerical training

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Title

Secretary II

Job Group

Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Any combination of related clerical office experience, related undergraduate education and/or post high school clerical training that is the equivalent to two years of full-time employment and includes the use of word processing.

Job Description

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

Are you an organized, customer-focused professional who enjoys helping others and keeping operations running smoothly? Join Iowa State University's Department of Residence Life as a Secretary II and play a key role in supporting a vibrant residential community.

In this position, you will serve as a primary resource for students, families, staff, and campus partners, helping to ensure the efficient operation of one of Iowa State's residential communities. You will provide administrative support, coordinate communications and events, assist with financial and personnel processes, and contribute to a welcoming environment where students can live, learn, and thrive.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety in their work, excels at organization and customer service, and takes pride in supporting both people and processes in a fast-paced environment.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a welcoming first point of contact for students, families, staff, and visitors.
• Support daily office operations and maintain accurate records, files, and documentation.
• Process purchasing, personnel, budgeting, and other administrative transactions.
• Monitor expenditures and assist with account reconciliation and budget tracking.
• Coordinate meetings, training sessions, programs, and departmental events.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, schedules, and communications for a variety of audiences.
• Generate reports and maintain data using university systems and office software.
• Partner with Residence Life staff to support programs, services, and initiatives that enhance the student experience.
• Help foster a welcoming and supportive environment where students can live, learn, and thrive.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing administrative or office support in a professional, higher education, student affairs, or customer-service-focused environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional customer service and effectively communicate with diverse audiences.
• Experience coordinating calendars, meetings, events, training sessions, or departmental activities.
• Experience processing financial, purchasing, payroll, personnel, or budget-related transactions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience maintaining records, reports, and data systems.

Department/Program & College Description

The Department of Residence is one of the largest non-academic departments at Iowa State University, employing more than 400 full-time, part-time, and student staff members. Through its residence life, facilities, business, marketing, conference, and technology teams, the department provides supportive living and learning communities that help students thrive, succeed academically, and fully engage in the Iowa State experience.

Department Unit/Website

Home - Department of Residence

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.

Why Choose Iowa State University?

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

Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

Appointment Type

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year

12 Month Work Period

Time Type

Full time

Pay Grade

08

Original Posting Date

November 10, 2026

Posting Close Date

November 20, 2026

Job Requisition Number

R20228

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.