Administrative Support Specialist

Washington State University • Prosser, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As the Administrative Support Specialist, you will be a key member of the Washington State University (WSU) Prosser Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) and serve as a principal advisor to the Prosser IAREC Director. You will have delegated authority from the Director to make commitments affecting management policies and departmental operations, and you will serve as a communications liaison with the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) administration, as well as external partners. In this role, you will interact with visitors to WSU Prosser IAREC, the local community, and other campuses and Research and Extension (R&E) Centers. You will develop and manage educational programs, plan and coordinate events, and create outreach opportunities and materials, including managing social media and website updates, designing and preparing the annual report, and producing other digital or print materials as needed. This position requires you to exercise independent judgment, strong decision-making skills, and agricultural writing abilities, while demonstrating initiative and maintaining a high level of confidentiality in all matters related to the governance and operations of Prosser IAREC. This role may require working occasional evenings or weekends, as well as periodic travel for training and events, including potential overnight stays.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent AND three years of clerical, office or administrative experience.
• OR An Associate’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a closely related field may substitute for experience.
• AND One year of experience as an Administrative Assistant 2 or two years as an Administrative Assistant 1.
• OR Equivalent education/experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook email and calendar).
• Flexibility to travel or work after hours or weekends, with advanced notice.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work in multi-cultural team settings.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

Nice To Haves

• Experience within a research setting, preferably at a University research and extension center.
• At least one-year fiscal related education or experience.
• Experience with layout and design of printed media.
• Experience with WordPress and social media platforms.
• Event planning and coordination.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a principal advisor to the Prosser IAREC Director.
• Act with delegated authority from the Director to make commitments affecting management policies and departmental operations.
• Serve as a communications liaison with the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) administration, as well as external partners.
• Interact with visitors to WSU Prosser IAREC, the local community, and other campuses and Research and Extension (R&E) Centers.
• Develop and manage educational programs.
• Plan and coordinate events.
• Create outreach opportunities and materials.
• Manage social media and website updates.
• Design and prepare the annual report.
• Produce other digital or print materials as needed.
• Exercise independent judgment.
• Utilize strong decision-making skills.
• Employ agricultural writing abilities.
• Demonstrate initiative.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality in all matters related to the governance and operations of Prosser IAREC.

Benefits

• Paid sick and vacation leave
• Paid holidays
• Medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• Retirement
• Deferred compensation
• Optional supplemental retirement accounts
• Training and development
• Employee tuition waiver

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED