Senior Administrative Associate – Research Center Operations

Agupdate; Lewistown (MT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University’s Central Agricultural Research Center (CARC) seeks an Administrative Associate III to support front office operations and financial processing. You will interact with faculty, staff, and external partners to maintain smooth administrative workflows.

The role emphasizes accounting, budgeting, payroll, and procurement duties within a dynamic research environment, requiring strong communication and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Two years of post-secondary education plus three years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) of progressively responsible administrative support experience.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of accounting and budgeting principles in managing, monitoring, and reconciling financial records.
• Demonstrated competence in organizing and prioritizing multiple work assignments, meeting deadlines, and exercising adaptability to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective, and professional attitude.
• Demonstrated experience in word processing, spreadsheets, database, email, and internet programs.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the front office of CARC and act as principal phone and personal contact for CARC.
• Provide administrative assistance to Superintendent and direct support to faculty and staff, and maintain good working relations with other research centers, Extension Service offices, the Department of Research Centers, and College of Agriculture.
• Prepare invoices, payment authorizations, deposits, travel expense vouchers, and other University financial forms.
• Monitor University purchasing card transitions, reconcile and monitor the balance of various University and grant funds.
• Prepare personnel forms, including recruitment authorizations, hiring paperwork, timesheets, and monitor monthly payroll process; reconcile timecards and payroll.
• Assist the Superintendent in scheduling and coordinating meetings, such as annual field days and advisory board meetings, arranging refreshments, meal and equipment needs.

Skills

Accounting & budgeting principles

Organizing & prioritizing

Word processing & spreadsheets

Database, email & internet

Verbal & written communication

Education

Post-secondary education

Tools

Chrome River

SmartBuyMSU

Job description

Montana State University’s Central Agricultural Research Center (CARC) seeks an Administrative Associate III to support front office operations and financial processing. You will interact with faculty, staff, and external partners to maintain smooth administrative workflows.

The role emphasizes accounting, budgeting, payroll, and procurement duties within a dynamic research environment, requiring strong communication and organizational skills.