Temporary Administrative Assistant

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Temporary Administrative Assistant for the Office of General Counsel will provide critical support by managing administrative tasks, maintaining records, and ensuring smooth daily operations. Reporting directly to the Director of Legal Operations, the Temporary Administrative Assistant may also be assigned to cover administrative duties during staff absences. Key responsibilities include assisting with scheduling, managing departmental correspondence, preparing expense reports, and handling logistics for events and projects as needed. The assistant is responsible for maintaining accurate records, processing transactions, and coordinating with various departments to ensure timely task completion. Additionally, the role involves monitoring transactions, preparing reports, and supporting special projects as needed. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential for success in this role. 

The ideal candidate has excellent time management and organization skills and is proactive and service-oriented.

Workplace Requirements

This position is exclusively on-site; all duties must be performed in person at the Office of General Counsel. Hours are flexible, and it's between 15-20 hours per week. Per Rice Policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

This is a part-time position without benefits. The salary range is $18.50 to $20.00 an hour, based on experience and qualifications. *Non-exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 1 year or more of experience in a legal administrative office setting
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
• Skills
  • Advanced computer skills and demonstrated experience with office software and email applications
  • Demonstrated success in follow-through and completing routine tasks
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to prioritize and multi-task

Preferences

• 2+ years’ experience in a legal administrative office setting
• Experience using Oracle
• Experience with cloud applications (Adobe Sign, Google docs, Google forms)
• Experience using LexisNexis CounselLink
• Experience using financial business systems for purchasing, payment processing or expense reports

Essential Functions

• Under the general direction of the Director for Legal Operations, resolves problems that are administrative in nature.
• Generates routine communications; schedules meetings, assists with data entry and intake processes. 
• Plans and schedules calendar(s), resolves calendaring conflicts, and arranges travel.
• Processes financial transactions, expense reports, and department correspondence.
• Maintains office supplies and equipment; obtains vendor quotes, as needed.
• Serves as the point of contact for facility concerns within the unit(s);