The Department of Native American Studies at Montana State University was established to provide and advance quality education for and about American Indians of Montana the region, and the nation. In fulfilling this mission, the Department is committed to meet the changing needs of Montana’s Indian tribes and all Montana citizens through excellence in teaching, research, and service.
In its academic programs, the Department provides concentrated study through a master’s in Native American Studies, a graduate certificate in Native American Studies, a graduate certificate in Indigenous Food Systems, and a non-teaching minor in Native American Studies, as well as opportunities for students to gain a multicultural perspective in pursuing a general education through the University’s core curriculum.
Duties and Responsibilities
Graduate Program Coordination
- Coordinates key aspects of graduate programs, including processing applications, scheduling classrooms, maintaining student records, and supporting students through graduation processes and procedures.
- Supports graduate student orientation and committee activities.
- Processes graduate awards, fellowships, and related budgets.
- Generates all departmental correspondence to graduate students; responds to general graduate program inquiries.
Undergraduate Program Coordination
- Coordinates key aspects of non-teaching minor and undergraduate programs, including student registration for restricted-entry courses and maintenance of records for internships, independent studies, and academic progress.
- Coordinates advising efforts and assigns faculty advisors.
- Meets with prospective students and families.
- Serves as liaison between NAS and AIANSSS, as well as to campus student services offices.
Communications & Events
- Plans and coordinates departmental events, including venue booking, travel and lodging arrangements, budget management, invitations, refreshments, and meeting materials.
- Coordinates events and reservations for the American Indian Hall Building.
- Coordinates with the NAS Department Head, Dean’s Office, and University Communications to support the development of newsletters, promotional materials, and departmental content, including website and social media updates.
- Coordinates with AIANSSS on recruitment events, including MSU Fridays and statewide initiatives.
Administrative Support
- Provides front-line customer service and daily office support.
- Maintains shared spaces and schedules (e.g., conference rooms).
- Processes course scheduling, catalog updates, and textbook orders.
- Compiles and analyzes data related to enrollment, courses, and curriculum.
- Provides guidance on department and university policies and procedures in conjunction with the Graduate School, Registrar’s Office, and the Office of International Programs.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Progressively responsible administrative work experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience in customer service and working with constituents from all backgrounds.
- Demonstrated experience organizing and prioritizing multiple work assignments, meeting deadlines, and exercising adaptability with a high degree of accuracy.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, Outlook, and computer databases.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
- Knowledge of MSU procedures and policies, or previous experience working in an academic department in a higher education setting.
- Knowledge of American Indian cultures and the ability to communicate effectively with people from all backgrounds.
The Successful Candidate Will
- Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Possess strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated self-motivation and ability to follow through on tasks and projects to completion.
- Ability to learn MSU policies, procedures, and systems for student data tracking.
- Have the ability to establish and maintain productive and positive working relations with coworkers, faculty, students, supervisors, and the public.
- Represent the Department of Native American Studies and its programs in a professional and courteous manner.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
No
