Academic Department Associate

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF), a member of the University of Wisconsin System, is located on the eastern edge of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area in scenic west central Wisconsin. Year-round arts, cultural, and recreational activities and events are easily accessible from River Falls. The 6,100 undergraduate and graduate students at UWRF pursue degrees in four colleges: Education and Professional Studies; Arts and Sciences; Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences; and Business and Economics.

Job Duties: As the administrative associate for the English and TESOL faculty and students of the English, TESOL, and Modern Languages Department, this position acts as (1) receptionist and first-responder to current and prospective students, faculty and the public; (2) monitor of department budgets; (3) the person who hires, trains, and supervises work study students; (4) an assistant to the chair in routine record management, the flows of various processes (IAS hiring, faculty retention, assessment, awarding of scholarship, publicity, maintaining catalog accuracy), and eSIS scheduling, as well as occasional non-routine projects, such as department research (e.g., finding the number of English majors in each option); (5) provider of support to faculty.

Special Notes: For a copy of UW River Falls campus safety information and crime statistics/Annual Security Report see http://www.uwrf.edu/Police/CampusRecordsCrimes.cfm or call the University Police Department at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy.

UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-3221.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Interpersonal Skills -- Interacts well with people, polite, respectful, even when multitasking.

Office Administration -- Purchasing and ordering supplies; maintaining paper and electronic records; tracking processes; maintaining equipment; overseeing copying; scheduling appointments; scheduling travel and reserving facilities and hotels; explaining procedures and policies and answering questions.

Organizational Skills -- Finishing assigned work and projects on schedule or ahead of schedule; anticipating deadlines and meeting them; anticipating problems and solving them; developing a sense of when consultation is needed to carry through with a task; multitasking.

Software Skills -- Knowing standard office software (for examples, MS Word, MS Excel, web management software); being willing to learn and employ new software systems (expense reporting and approval, scheduling, student information, financial tracking); being willing to learn and employ changing technology (for examples, email, course management).

Written Communication -- Controlling tone in emails and other public and departmental communication; employing correct grammar, spelling, and mechanics; crafting effective messages in the English language by analyzing audiences with an awareness of the communication context and sensitivity to those receiving the message.

Budget Management -- Being able to track spending in the current financial management system (currently WISDM) and advise the chair regarding issues

*Knowledge of administrative activities in a complex, multifaceted, and fast-paced, office setting
*Competence with relevant and current computer and software applications (MS Word and Excel, with willingness and ability to receive training when necessary)
*Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive issues concerning students, faculty and staff
*Willingness to gain knowledge of, and then implement and monitor budget policies and procedures
*Effective interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
*Ability to work independently and creatively while exercising discretion and judgment
*Ability to organize, delegate and prioritize work, and discriminate between independent decisions-making opportunities while seeking advice and counsel of supervising authorities

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
*Associate degree
*1-year experience as an administrative associate
*Specific software skills: Website management

Click Apply by July 9, 2018. Applicants must provide a resume; one-page cover letter addressing how your education and experience relate to the responsibilities and knowledge, skills, and abilities as outlined in the job posting (address each area of responsibility -- first-responder, administrative assistant, faculty support, and academic department manager); and names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references who can specifically comment on your professional & relevant work experience. A criminal background check will be completed on final candidates. The minimum starting salary is $15.42 per hour. The hourly rate may be negotiable based on experience and available budget. A six-month probationary period is required.


The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

UW-River Falls is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer subject to all state and federal regulations pertaining to non-discrimination based upon sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, age, arrest and/or conviction record, veteran status and membership in the national guard, state defense force, or any other reserve component of the military forces of the United States or the State of Wisconsin. All persons, especially women, persons of color, and the people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Employment is subject to federal laws that require verification of your identity and legal right to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.