Executive Assistant to the Dean of Engineering

Job Summary

The Executive Assistant to the Dean reports directly to the Dean and performs a wide range of executive and administrative management functions of broad scope and complexity. This position serves as the first point of contact for the Dean to internal and external constituencies providing administrative support including calendar management, travel, correspondence, and coordination college events.

The incumbent uses judgment and initiative in anticipating the needs of the Dean and investigates, analyzes, and resolves problems as they arise. This position must independently and frequently perform extensive coordination and consultation activities in order to accomplish tasks professionally, confidentially, and effectively. Additionally, this position has extensive contact with high-level officials. The incumbent provides lead work direction to front office staff and is the lead staff member for coordination of college events/activities.

Administrative support staff within the College of Engineering primarily support their individual home department, while working as part of a broader team of administrative staff and in collaboration with their peers in other departments and the dean’s office. The administrative team shares ideas and innovations with respect to administrative functions, coordinates and implements uniform processes and procedures, and supports each other to ensure the success of the college.  This position provides leadership to staff throughout the college.

Department Summary

The College of Engineering is the largest of Cal Poly's six colleges with eight academic departments and one academic program that offers 14 Bachelor of Science degrees, 11 Masters of Science degrees, and 6 blended/joint bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The College also includes College Development and Communications, and the Engineering Student Affairs area, which includes the Advising Center, Outreach, Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP), International Programs, and the Women's Engineering Program (WEP). The College currently educates over 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students and admission is extremely competitive. The College is recognized as one of the premier undergraduate engineering programs in the nation for its hands-on project and design-based learning environment. The College operates under the leadership of the Dean of the College of Engineering, and a management staff consisting of associate and assistant deans, department chairs, and program directors. The College employs approximately 61 staff, 86 lecturers, and 134 tenured/tenure track faculty. 

Key Qualifications

• Strong ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures independently and use sound judgment and discretion to act when precedents do not exist.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing. Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Ability to oversee day-to-day operations in the Dean's office and ability to provide lead work direction to administrative staff. Ability to train others on new skills and procedures.
• Expertise in investigating and analyzing problems with a broad administrative impact and implications. Ability to anticipate problems and address them proactively.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university. Three years of technical or administrative experience. A graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $75,000 - $92,500 annually

Classification Range: $55,176 - $99,816 annually

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

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