Department Services Associate

Universities of Wisconsin•Milwaukee, WI

1d•$18 - $21

About The Position

The Department Services Associate provides administrative support for the Honors College in support of unit goals to ensure the effective daily operation of the Honors College office. This position supports the College’s caring and academically focused community by performing extensive administrative and clerical tasks for faculty and staff. The role requires a creative, innovative, and organized problem solver who can work independently while coordinating major efforts such as student recruitment, orientation, advising, retention, faculty/staff recruitment, and special programs. The position also requires excellent administrative, interpersonal, multi‑tasking, bookkeeping, and communication skills, strong comfort with technology, and the ability to exercise judgment and discretion when working with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and members of the public. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is Wisconsin’s second-largest university, with a unique dual mission of access and research to provide high-quality education for students from all backgrounds. UWM is one of 146 top research universities recognized as “R1” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Along with its main campus in Milwaukee, UWM has branch campuses in Waukesha and Washington County. UWM celebrates, values and promotes the diverse voices and experiences of its students and employees and our community partners. We believe diversity enriches and strengthens our institution. UWM is committed to providing equitable access to opportunities for students and employees from every background. We aspire to create a campus climate that is welcoming to all. The Honors College at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee offers a small, liberal‑arts–style academic experience within a major research university. Through small seminars, individualized advising, and close interaction with dedicated faculty, the College emphasizes critical thinking, scholarly inquiry, and strong writing and communication skills. Open to talented students across all majors, the Honors College supports approximately 690 undergraduates and maintains a 15:1 student‑to‑faculty ratio, fostering a highly personalized learning environment. Students enrich their degree paths through interdisciplinary Honors coursework and may earn an Honors degree, the highest undergraduate distinction at UWM. With a history dating back to 1960, the College offers students access to world‑class research opportunities, a vibrant community within the Honors House, and co‑curricular experiences such as study abroad and its Living Learning Community.

Requirements

Two or more years of experience in an administrative setting
Experience using common business software (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, browsers, etc.)
Excellent written communication skills

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a higher education setting
Demonstrated ability to follow policies and procedures
Demonstrated capacity to work on multiple tasks and adhere to timelines
Attention to detail (including excellent typing, spelling, and grammar with good proofreading skills) and exceptional organizational skills
Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills with a record of providing excellent customer service
Experience working with UWM technology, or similar, such as: Workday, Shop UW+, PAWS, Navigate, Word Press, ROAR

Responsibilities

Schedule logistics and secure resources for meetings, conferences, travel, and work unit operations.
Maintain electronic and physical records and organizational systems.
Provide administrative and clerical support to Honors College faculty and staff in the daily operation of the office.
Maintain accurate business records, prepare forms and reports, and coordinate with campus units such as Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Bursar, and Academic Affairs; manage inventory and supply orders.
Assist with student enrollment processes, including admission materials, event preparation, and professional correspondence with new students, parents, and schools.
Serve as the first point of contact for students, families, campus partners, and visitors; offer basic information and route complex inquiries appropriately.
Provide basic classroom support, coordinate building and classroom reservations, schedule student appointments, and update records.
Prepare weekly department communications, update events and website content, assist with social media posting, and serve as lead website editor.
Support academic operations by assisting with the Honors College schedule of classes, coursebook preparation, and processing non‑seminar options.
Supervise student assistants when needed, and serve as Building Chair, overseeing Honors College spaces, submitting building work orders, and ensuring appropriate use of facilities.