Program Assistant

Department

Harris School Operations

About the Department

Why policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking, fearlessly questioning the status quo. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact. With passion and precision, we figure out what’s best for society—and get it done. This is Harris Public Policy: Social impact, down to a science.

Job Summary

The Program Assistant of the Public Policy Undergraduate Program is a point person in the major to support operations of the program and PBPL students, faculty, and staff. The position reports to the Executive Program Director, Undergraduate Studies.

Responsibilities

• Provides academic advising support to students in the program.
• Coordinates room reservations, catering orders, and other logistics for office-sponsored programs and events, including Open Houses and End of Year Celebration. 
• Staffs and supervises events as requested by the Executive Program Director.
• Purchases office and event supplies, coordinates supplies for Instructional Assistants and instructional materials.
• Processes and tracks departmental expenses, invoices, checks, and reimbursements across multiple accounts, maintains budget spreadsheet, and researches budget issues. 
• Supports the Executive Program Director and Faculty in communication efforts to students. 
• Maintains the website for the Public Policy major and assists with catalog updates.
• Monitors and manages the Public Policy email inbox.
• Places student book orders and requests instructor desk copies.
• Maintains the Public Policy major listserv.
• Serves as day-to-day support staff for the Student Advisory Board and the Mentorship Program.
• Coordinates with the students and staff to develop activities, programs, and initiatives related to student life, and/or community involvement. Develops and implements straightforward programming.
• Maintains alumni records and manages communication and outreach to alumni.
• Manages communication and marketing efforts for the major in collaboration with the Executive Program Director, including the weekly newsletter and cohort canvas sites.
• Completes special projects, initiatives, and other duties as directed by the Executive Program Director and Faculty.  
• Uses general understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries. 
• Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Analyzes program budgets and uses a moderate/high level of authority to recommend or makes budgetary recommendations.
• Interacts with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• Performs other related work as needed.  

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Background in higher education settings is strongly preferred. 
• Academic advising experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite. 

Preferred Competencies

• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail. 
• Identify priorities and manage conflicting priorities. 
• Learning and working with multiple databases and changing software. 
• Exceptional troubleshooting skills with a resourceful, can-do approach. 
• Outstanding verbal and written communications skills. 
• Deep commitment to customer service, strong interpersonal skills, and engage with diverse populations. 
• Handle confidential information with absolute discretion. 
• Exercise good judgment under pressure and maintain a sense of perspective under stressful circumstances. 

Working Conditions

• This position is available for partially remote work based on the