Senior Office Assistant, Dean of Students

The George Washington University; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC seeks a Senior Office Assistant for the Dean of Students' Office to support daily operations, be the first contact for students and guests, and assist with exams and accommodation processes.

This fast-paced, team-oriented role requires strong organization, communication, and collaboration within a diverse community. The position is hybrid, with on-site commitments and occasional evenings or weekends as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED with 1.5 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist students, faculty, and guests; manage phone and email inquiries with professionalism.
• Maintain the front office and reception area to support a welcoming and efficient environment.
• Manage calendars and schedule meetings for the Dean of Students and the Assistant Dean.
• Coordinate the Student Affairs events calendar and track key dates and milestones.
• Draft and distribute weekly newsletters (e.g., Dean's Report) and student announcements using platforms such as Emma.
• Maintain and update the Dean of Students website (Drupal CMS ).
• Monitor office inventory and equipment; coordinate supply orders and maintenance.
• Handle routine clerical tasks including mail distribution, document preparation, filing, and data entry.
• Assist with office record digitization and onboarding of new staff.
• Process student administrative forms, including Leave of Absence, Change of Status, and Withdrawal requests.
• Prepare letters of good standing and other certificate requests for appropriate signature; certify graduates and prepare bar forms for the appropriate signature for State Bar applications.
• Reserve meeting rooms and coordinate internal office meetings.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Discretion & confidentiality

Diversity & collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Adobe Creative Suite

Exam4

Exam Soft

My Law

Job description

Job Description Summary

Established in 1865, the George Washington University Law School is the oldest in the nation’s capital and one of the most prestigious law schools in the country. The Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools. GW Law is situated in the tree-laden downtown Washington, DC, neighborhood familiarly known as Foggy Bottom.

Posting Details

I. Job Overview

Established in 1865, the George Washington University Law School is the oldest in the nation’s capital and one of the most prestigious law schools in the country. The Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools. GW Law is situated in the tree-laden downtown Washington, DC, neighborhood familiarly known as Foggy Bottom.

The Dean of Students' Office is seeking a highly organized and service-oriented Senior Office Assistant to support the daily operations of the Office of Student Affairs. As the first point of contact for students, faculty, and visitors, this front-facing role is essential to creating a welcoming and responsive office environment. The Senior Office Assistant provides administrative support to Student Affairs leadership, manages communications and logistics for office events, and assists with exam and academic accommodation processes. This is a dynamic, fast-paced position ideal for a proactive and detail-oriented professional who enjoys working collaboratively with a diverse community.

Key Responsibilities

Administrative & Office Support

• Greet and assist students, faculty, and guests; manage phone and email inquiries with professionalism.
• Maintain the front office and reception area to support a welcoming and efficient environment.
• Manage calendars and schedule meetings for the Dean of Students and the Assistant Dean.
• Coordinate the Student Affairs events calendar and track key dates and milestones.
• Draft and distribute weekly newsletters (e.g., Dean's Report) and student announcements using platforms such as Emma.
• Maintain and update the Dean of Students website (Drupal CMS ).
• Monitor office inventory and equipment; coordinate supply orders and maintenance.
• Handle routine clerical tasks including mail distribution, document preparation, filing, and data entry.
• Assist with office record digitization and onboarding of new staff.
• Process student administrative forms, including Leave of Absence, Change of Status, and Withdrawal requests.
• Prepare letters of good standing and other certificate requests for appropriate signature; certify graduates and prepare bar forms for the appropriate signature for State Bar applications.
• Reserve meeting rooms and coordinate internal office meetings.

Event Planning & Execution

• Provide logistical support for major Student Affairs events, including: Orientation programs (Full-Time, Part-Time, Transfer), Footnotes and Open Doors Scholars programming, Academic Awards Ceremony, Commencement Ceremony, Dean's Breakfasts, and community events (e.g., Pie & Cider, Valentine’s Day Candy Bar, Donuts with the Dean).
• Coordinate event logistics: room reservations, catering, AV needs, and vendor communication.
• Design and distribute event materials across multiple platforms (email, social media, posters).
• Track event-related expenses and help evaluate event success to inform future planning.

Orientation Support

• Assist with the preparation and distribution of orientation materials, name tags, and swag bags.
• Support orientation check‑in, social events, and Footnotes programming logistics.
• Coordinate run‑of‑show documentation and staff assignments for orientation days.

Exam Administration Support

• Provide administrative support for exam logistics, particularly for students receiving academic accommodations.
• Assist with scheduling, room assignments, and the preparation of exam-related materials.

The omission of specific duties does not prevent the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically connected to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates will hold a high school diploma/ GED plus 1.5 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, legal, or administrative office settings is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Adobe Creative Suite is desired.
• Familiarity with learning or exam platforms such as Exam4, Exam Soft, and My Law is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong time management, organizational, and multitasking abilities.
• Demonstrated discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and in high‑pressure or time-sensitive environments.

Hiring Range

$18.51 - $28.91

GW Staff Approach to Pay

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: GW Law School (LAW)

Family: Administration

Sub-Family: General Office Support

Stream: Service and Support

Level: Level 2

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, typically 8:00-5:00 (may work some evenings and weekends when required)

Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes

Employee Onsite Status: Hybrid

Telework: Yes

Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants: Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only? No

Posting Number: S014420

Job Open Date: 08/24/2026

Job Close Date: (none provided)

Background Screening: Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.