Office Assistant, Experimental and Foundation Studies

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks an Office Assistant to join Experimental and Foundation Studies. 

With a commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities and an understanding of RISD’s artistic curriculum and faculty figure model needs, oversee, manage, and optimize the campus wide modeling program. This position manages the student employment aspect of the Division, including, but not limited to informing students and faculty about RISD’s work study policies, processes, systems and eligibility. The Office Assistant facilitates and coordinates student hiring needs and ensures students are paid according to policies, assigned schedules and work performed. Under the direction of the Dean and/or Office Supervisor, the role evaluates and facilitates transfer credit requests. The role gathers and organizes academic data for the Dean as needed in support of scholarship award activities, the Academic Standing Committee and during the mid-semester grading period. The Office Assistant facilitates communication between the Dean and students having academic concerns.

The successful candidate will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities. 

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for managing and coordinating the day-to-day operations of a diverse campus wide modeling program which supports teaching and learning of an artistic curriculum. Proactively engage with faculty across various academic departments on campus to develop an understanding of curriculum plans, goals, and timelines.  Translate curriculum goals into faculty/class/studio modeling needs and ensure needs are met in the most effective and efficient manner.

• Using RISD’s systems, standards and best practices, hire, train, orient and supervise figure models. Coordinate work schedules for models, based on need and model availability.  Regularly meet with modeling staff at worksite locations to ensure appropriate fit, answer questions or concerns and further develop rapport and create a sense of community.

• Serve as the primary contact for and liaise with the selected staffing agency and/or RISD’s Human Resources and Payroll departments to secure and pay modeling staff. Resolve routine issues or concerns and escalate as appropriate. Simplify processes through the use of technology.

• With an understanding of RISD’s student employment program, policies and practices, engage and inform approximately 100 student employees regarding student employment eligibility, processes and payroll procedures. Collect, review and submit work authorizations and time cards in accordance with existing policies and/or approved systems.  Ensure late time cards are submitted as needed.  Hire, orient, manage and train approximately 100 work-study students per academic year on Experimental and Foundation Studies procedures, tools, systems and equipment. Track, monitor and reconcile schedules to the work study budget. Communicate student employment guidelines and division specific procedures to faculty and update associated documentation as needed. 

• Gather and organize academic data for the Dean as needed in support of scholarship award activities, the academic standing committee and during the mid-semester grading period. Track students with academic concerns and schedule appointments with the Dean as necessary.

Additional Functions:

• Participate in a collaborative team environment and perform related assignments as requested by supervisor.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Associates degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.   

• Minimum of two years of experience in a customer service environment with preference given to candidates with experience in Higher Education.  

• Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills    

• Demonstrated computer experience, specifically Mac, Microsoft Office products (Word & Excel) and Google (Mail, Calendar, and Drive). 

• Experience with time tracking systems and calendaring systems. 

• Ability to anticipate needs, interpret and prioritize requests and follow up as needed. 

• Ability to manage logistics and coordinate a wide range of schedules. 

• Must be detail oriented and work effectivel