UPWARDS Program Administrative Assistant

Virginia Tech; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech's UPWARDS program is seeking an Administrative Assistant to provide comprehensive administrative, communications, logistics, and event support across UPWARDS activities. You will assist with recruitment, website management, participant communications, and event planning under faculty leadership.

The role requires strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced academic setting while engaging with students, families, staff, and

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent education or experience.
• Experience in administrative support, program coordination, event planning, or office management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills.
• Experience with website maintenance and content management systems.
• Demonstrated customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interact professionally with students, faculty, staff, parents, and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Support recruitment efforts for the UPWARDS program.
• Maintain and update the UPWARDS website and CMS content.
• Coordinate participant communications and logistics for events.
• Organize workshops and award ceremonies.
• Assist with summer camp operations.
• Provide administrative support for program leadership.

Skills

Administrative support

Program coordination

Event planning

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent

Bachelor's degree or above

Tools

WordPress

Drupal

Content management systems

Job description

Job Description

The UPWARDS Program Administrative Assistant provides administrative, communications, logistics, and event support for the UPWARDS program at Virginia Tech.

This position plays an important role in ensuring the successful implementation of UPWARDS educational and workforce development activities throughout the year. The assistant will support recruitment efforts, maintain the UPWARDS website, coordinate participant communications, organize workshops and award ceremonies, assist with summer camp operations, and provide administrative support for program leadership.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, comfortable interacting with students and families, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced academic environment.

The Administrative Assistant will work closely with faculty leadership, students, university staff, industry partners, and external participants to ensure an outstanding experience across all UPWARDS activities.

For more information on the programs visit: UPWARDS@VT: https://upwards.ece.vt.edu/ UPWARDS for the Future Network: https://upwardsforthefuture.org/)

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience in administrative support, program coordination, event planning, or office management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills
• Experience with website maintenance and content management systems
• Demonstrated customer service and interpersonal skills
• Ability to interact professionally with students, faculty, staff, parents, and external partners

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and above
• Experience supporting educational, workforce development, STEM, or outreach programs
• Experience maintaining websites using WordPress, Drupal, or similar platforms
• Experience planning conferences, workshops, camps, or large-scale events
• Experience working with K-12 students and families
• Experience with social media, graphic design, or newsletter development
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities

Pay Band

3

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$25-$30/hour

Hours per week

20-29

Review Date

11/15/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact (insert name) at (insert email address) during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.