The Higher Education Administrative Assistant II provides advanced administrative and operational support within an academic department at Rhode Island College. This position serves as a key resource for faculty, staff, students, and visitors by coordinating departmental activities, maintaining records, preparing reports, managing schedules, and assisting with budgetary and administrative functions.
The incumbent is responsible for responding to inquiries, supporting student services and academic processes, coordinating meetings and events, maintaining departmental data, and utilizing enterprise software systems and office applications to support daily operations. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, excellent customer service, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced higher education environment.
The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, proficiency with office technology and data systems, and the ability to work effectively with a diverse campus community while handling sensitive and confidential information.
Illustrative Examples of Work Performed
- Within a college/university system, to perform higher level administrative support functions in an academic department or departments.
- To assist in answering requests and providing information related to programs and services within an educational environment utilizing college enterprise software systems with common business applications, and a wide variety of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets and other contemporary office software.
- To serve as a lead administrative worker in in an academic department or departments.
- To provide administrative support for finance and budgetary functions.
- To produce and present detailed reports on departmental key performance indicators.
- To develop and maintain policies and procedures for the academic department(s).
- To coordinate with faculty within the academic department to arrange for any special services required by students, such as referrals for tutoring, disability services, Writing Center, English as a Second Language programs, or Career Development.
- To prepare informational and statistical academic reports incorporating information from the data management system to track grade point averages, grades, academic probation, etc.
- To create and manipulate queries within the college’s enterprise software system to produce reports and documents such as class rosters, academic transcripts, facility load reports, and others.
- To make classroom reservations utilizing the college’s event management computer system.
- To convey pertinent information to faculty, staff, students and visitors as it relates to a wide range of policies and procedures of the college.
- To process student add/drop course requests.
- To coordinate office schedules for work study students within an academic department.
- To enter hours worked for the biweekly work study student payroll for the academic department.
- To maintain electronic and/or paper records for the academic department.
- To answer in-person, telephone or email inquiries for the academic department and respond appropriately.
- To convey information to students regarding course offerings, courses of study and academic policies and services.
- To schedule faculty advising appointments for students, as well as other events for the academic department chair and faculty.
- To maintain and requisition department supplies utilizing the college’s enterprise software system in compliance with college and state purchasing protocols.
- To perform routine maintenance of office machinery and equipment.
- To do related work as required.
Education
Such as may have been gained through: graduation from a senior high school supplemented with courses in computer information systems.
Experience
Such as may have been gained through: employment in performing general office tasks of a complex nature in an academic setting, including the use of enterprise software systems with common business applications, word processing, spreadsheets, and other contemporary office software.
Or Combination of Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.
Additional Required Qualifications Knowledges Skills and Capacities
The ability to integrate information from one type of application package to another; the ability to effectively communicate information to all interested parties within a higher education setting; skills in organizing and multi-tasking; strong written and verbal communication skills; a familiarity with spreadsheets, databases, word processing and other computer software; the ability to effectively prioritize work and consistently meet deadlines; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, the college/university departments, and other state and private agencies and organizations and employees; a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive situations and confidential information; a working knowledge of a higher education system; the ability to generate accurate and concise informational and statistical reports; and related capacities and abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience in higher education.
Position Details
Full Time / Part Time
Full-time
Work Schedule
Full-Time, 35 hours per week.
Monday through Friday.
8:30AM. to 4:30PM
Feinstein School of Education and Human Development.
Academic or Calendar Year
Calendar
Benefits
Full-time employees enjoy an array of benefits including:
- Health and Wellness – Medical, Dental & Vision
- Wellness Incentives and Rewards
- Paid time Off – Vacation, Sick & Holiday
- Retirement Benefits
- Disability and Insurance Benefits
- Education Benefits – Tuition waivers for RIC, CCRI & URI
For a complete listing, visit Employee Benefits.
Reports To (Title)
Dean, Feinstein School of Education and Human Development
Position Status
Permanent - C
End of Restricted or Limited Position
Minimum Salary for Grade
47350
Maximum Salary for Grade
51514
Added Salary for This Position
Collective Bargaining Unit
Council 94 Local 2879
Posting Information
Number of Positions Available
1
Anticipated Start Date
06/25/2026
Special Instructions
- Candidates selected for further consideration may be required to complete a practical exercise. The exercise is a candidate screening tool that may be used to assess computer software skills specific to the job. Examples include but are not limited to Microsoft Word (mail merge, formatting, etc.), Microsoft Excel (charts, tables, formulas, etc.), and typing.
- Upon hire, candidate may be required to arrange for an official transcript of highest degree earned to be mailed/transmitted directly from the institution to RIC.
EEO Statement
Rhode Island College is an equal opportunity employer. The institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability religion, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. Rhode Island College is committed to maintain a workplace and educational environment that supports equal opportunity, professionalism and respectful engagement for all community members.
