Department Assistant II – Philosophy and Religious Studies (hourly, union)

Description

The Departments of Philosophy and Religious Studies seek a detail-oriented, motivated Department Assistant with strong communication skills to serve as the first point of contact for students, faculty, staff, and visitors in the Departments’ main office on the third floor of Pardee Hall, and to support the departments’ academic programming and operations in a friendly, collegial, and occasionally fast-paced environment.  Responsibilities include:

• Handle office management duties, such as answering the phone, sorting and sending mail, ordering and keeping inventory of office supplies, and serving as a resource for students, staff, faculty, and visitors;

• Prepare files, copies, and scans in support of faculty in teaching, research, and service;

• Assist faculty with delivering and receiving exams to and from the Academic Resource Hub;

• Prepare and manage departmental records, documents, and calendars, utilizing Microsoft Office, Google Workspace programs, and other College-wide administrative platforms and tools such as Banner, Cognos, Emburse, FAMIS, EMS, and Qualtrics;

• Track budgets, grants, and payments and prepare expense reports utilizing the College-designated software;

• Coordinate logistical support for department meetings, events, programs, and activities, including the handling of work orders, room reservations, catering or dining, and other reservations as needed;

• Assist the departments with faculty searches;

• Assist, in coordination with the relevant other offices on campus, invited speakers and job candidates with reservations, expense reimbursements, and payments;

• Coordinate spaces for Philosophy and Religious Studies students and student organizations (e.g., the Philosophy Club);

• Assist with publicity of Philosophy’s and Religious Studies’ events; design and distribute flyers, posters, brochures, and invitations for Departmental events and programs;

• Maintain and update the Department website, using WordPress, as needed;

• Interview, hire, and supervise work-study students as needed;

• Assist faculty with the occasional needs of academic programs they may be chairing (e.g., Asian Studies, Medieval and Renaissance Studies);

• Submit, track, and coordinate, in a timely manner, routine and emergency building maintenance requests, including work orders for classrooms and offices used by Philosophy and Religious Studies;

• Perform other duties as directed.

This is a 10-month (.83 FTE) position.

 

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and other technological tools;

• Aptitude for and willingness to learn new software and/or web-based platforms;

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, professional and trustworthy demeanor, and an energetic, positive presence;

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;

• Ability to work efficiently and effectively, both independently and as part of a team, in a fast-paced environment;

• Being responsive to feedback and regularly seeking opportunities to improve tasks within domain of responsibilities;

• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, respect and value differing perspectives, and solve problems under pressure;

 

• Service-oriented attitude, such as accepting tasks in a positive manner, collaborating with others, and providing assistance when possible.

Application Instructions

It is the College’s intention to fill job vacancies from within the College before hiring new employees, providing employees are available with the necessary qualifications.  Internal candidates who make application within 3 working days following the posting, will be considered first.  Applications from candidates not currently employed by the College will not be considered in the first 3 working days following the posting and will only be considered if there are no qualified internal applicants.

Applicants must provide your Lafayette College ID number (L#). If you do not know your Lafayette College L number, please call Human Resources at (610) 330-5060.

Applicants should submit a cover letter addressing relevant experience, a resume, and contact information for three references.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Lafayette College does not discriminate, or permit discrimination, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, religion, age, military or v