Farmworker Student Services Office Asst / Office Assistant III

MSU Internal Job Postings Details•East Lansing, MI

17h

About The Position

This position provides administrative and operational support to the Director of Farmworker Student Services (FSS) and supports the unit’s daily operational needs. Under the guidance of the Fiscal Officer, the Office Assistant helps process fiscal transactions, supports operational activities, and serves as a primary contact for students, families, staff, visitors, campus partners, and community stakeholders. The role calls for a strong commitment to customer service, student success, and educational access, and works closely with farmworkers, migrants, first-generation students, and other historically underserved populations to connect them with resources and services that support their educational goals. The Office Assistant gathers information from varied sources and conducts research to support students, staff, and the public. The position also works with external agencies and university departments to exchange information, coordinate services, and secure resources supporting FSS’s mission. Administrative duties include coordinating meetings and travel, maintaining records and preparing documents, monitoring office resources, supporting student engagement and programs, and processing travel and fiscal transactions in EBS. This is a limited-term position funded through December 31, 2027, with a possible extension contingent on funding renewal. Work hours are standard 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Requirements

Knowledge normally acquired through a high school education.
Three to five years of related, progressively responsible work experience in office administration, customer service, accounting support, fiscal operations, or administrative coordination; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience working with farmworker migrant education programs and culturally diverse student populations, with an understanding of the educational, social, and economic barriers they face.
Ability to build trusting relationships, provide direct support, and assist with program coordination for underrepresented students and families from diverse backgrounds in a welcoming, culturally responsive environment.
Experience supporting community outreach, student engagement activities, or educational programs.
Experience supporting student success, community engagement, college access initiatives, student support services, or similar programs addressing barriers to educational attainment and helping resolve time-sensitive issues for families and students through campus resources.
Experience supervising, training, mentoring, or supporting student employees.
Experience and familiarity with Michigan State University policies, procedures, and administrative systems.
Experience supporting administrators and working in a higher education or student services environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint, and related collaborative technologies.
Strong organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
Ability to work independently and contribute effectively as part of a collaborative team.
Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, student success, and educational equity.
Valid Michigan driver's license required at the time of hire.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge normally acquired through a bachelor's degree.
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish, with the ability to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking students, families, and community partners.

Responsibilities

Serve as a welcoming first point of contact for students, families, visitors, and community partners.
Support student engagement activities, workshops, programs, and events.
Coordinate meetings, travel arrangements, and administrative processes for FSS staff and student employees.
Maintain organized records and prepare correspondence, reports, agreements, and other documentation.
Monitor office resources, supplies, equipment, and operational needs.
Collaborate with university departments, community organizations, vendors, and external agencies to support student success initiatives.
Apply established university and departmental policies and procedures in completing assigned responsibilities.
Support student organizations and promote FSS programs and services.
Provide administrative and operational support to facilitate the work of the unit.
Gather data and information from a variety of sources and conduct research as needed to support students, staff, and the public.
Work with external agencies and university departments to exchange information, coordinate services, and secure resources.
Prepare pre-travel authorizations by collecting account information, travel dates, locations, expense estimates, travel purposes, and authorizing signatures.
Make travel arrangements and process conference registrations.
Prepare travel expense reports and submit requisitions and disbursement vouchers in EBS.