Overview:
The University Honors Program (UHP) requires an experienced and highly professional staff assistant to work with students, faculty, administrators, staff, alumni, and other stakeholders in a growing, nationally recognized program critical to the mission of Utah State University. The primary functions of the position are office management and administrative/staff support (including administrative assistance for the Executive Director); public relations, communications, and coordination of activities and programming; and student and faculty support. The program seeks a detail-oriented, efficient, and articulate assistant capable of both independent and collaborative work and skilled in office duties and processes, professional writing and correspondence, clear and helpful communication with the public, administrative assistance, calendar and meeting coordination, database and records management, office software and equipment, and maintenance of the UHP website and marketing materials. This individual must balance the ability to work independently in providing high-level administrative support to a large, complex program with the capacity to collaborate with team members in supporting the long-term initiatives of the UHP, with the expectation of excellence in both areas.
Responsibilities:
1. Office management and administrative/staff support (40%)
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Performs office duties, including answering phones; directing calls to appropriate parties; entering data and maintaining accurate participant databases and records; filing and organizing UHP Box folders; and preparing or updating forms and paperwork.
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Works independently to provide administrative support to the Executive Director of a large, complex program, including screening inquiries and requests; using judgement and tact to prioritize schedules, calendars, and meetings; making appointments; coordinating meetings/conferences; and assisting with travel authorizations and return-from-travel documentation.
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Provides logistical support for UHP events and other programming; general scheduling and meeting coordination; and inventory and maintenance of consumable office supplies and branded swag/medallions, durable equipment (copier/printer and technology), and facilities (office, classroom, conference room).
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Greets and directs visitors, representing the program in a positive manner and creating a professional office environment with regular, dependable hours.
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Sorts, screens, and distributes incoming and outgoing mail, including mail merges and large-scale printing projects.
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Seeks ways to improve efficiency of services and develops processes to streamline procedures.
2. Communication and Coordination (30%)
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Assists students, staff, and superiors with highly varied, complex, and non-recurring questions and/or problems and responds promptly, thoughtfully, and professionally to incoming email and communications.
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Serves as a liaison with other departments and constituencies in the resolution of matters concerning the activities and operations of the UHP.
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Composes, drafts and edits various standard documents, correspondence, and reports.
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Regularly reviews and updates website content.
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Helps to design, update, or revise written and graphic program publications, such as recruiting materials, invitations, programs, flyers, PowerPoint presentations, weekly electronic newsletters, and program announcements.
3. Student and Faculty Support (25%)
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Provides students, parents, faculty, and/or members of the general public with accurate, clear information about program-specific requirements, application processes, curriculum, events, and opportunities.
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Assists UHP staff in recruiting by helping to update written or visual materials; purchase appropriate swag; support honors student ambassador hiring and training; and help organize student help for local recruiting, orientation, and Honors Connections events.
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Organizes UHP admissions decisions and processes by updating new student databases, answering application and other questions, and managing all correspondence related to admissions decisions in a timely manner.
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Supports the UHP staff, students, and faculty by helping train student employees and process research, professional development, and travel funding requests.
4. Other (5%)
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Personal professional development, including courses, training, conference travel, or other appropriate forms of professional development.
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Other duties, as assigned.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
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Four years of experience; or an associate degree/technical training plus two years of experience; or a bachelor’s degree is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Advanced skill with Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel
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Budgetary and/or accounting experience
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Experience working in higher education, preferably with high-ability students
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Knowledge of USU’s Banner and Canvas systems
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Knowledge of USU and University Honors Program policies and procedures
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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Skilled with computer programs and related software.
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Excellent critical thinking skills.
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Skilled in creative problem solving.
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Skilled with basic office equipment, including printers, copiers, and telephone systems.
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Good organizational skills.
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Strong verbal and written communication skills.
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Ability to handle sensitive and confidential business data and personal information.
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Ability to work without supervision.
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Knowledge of University policies and procedures.
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Excellent customer service skills.
Required Documents:
Along with the online application, please attach:
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Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
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Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
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Please answer the following questions:
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The minimum qualifications for this job are four years of experience; or an associate degree/technical training plus two years of experience; or a bachelor’s degree. Please indicate very briefly which of those three minimum qualifications you meet.
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Do you have experience with administrative support, office management, professional communication, and student/faculty/staff assistance? Please answer yes or no. If yes, provide 1-2 sentences pointing the committee to relevant work on your resume.
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Do you have advanced skill in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel? Please answer yes or no. If yes, provide 1-2 sentences pointing the committee to relevant work on your resume.
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Do you have experience working in higher education, preferably with high ability students? Please answer yes or no. If yes, provide 1-2 sentences pointing the committee to relevant work on your resume.
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary: Minimum $43,000; commensurate with experience and with excellent benefits ADA:
Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.
College/Department Highlights:
The University Honors Program is a reporting unit to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President. For more information, please visit http://honors.usu.edu.
University Highlights:
Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.
USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.
Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.
Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.
The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or [email protected].
Notice of Non-discrimination:
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.
In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:
Matthew Pinner
Executive Director
Civil Rights & Title IX Office
435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
Cody Carmichael
Title IX Coordinator
435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:
U.S. Department of Education
Denver Regional Office
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
