Office Manager & Work College Support Coordinator (Internal)

Berea College•Berea, KY

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Dean of the Work College Program and with day-to-day supervision provided by the Associate Dean of the Work College Program, the Office Manager and Support Coordinator provide operational, administrative, and student engagement support for the Work College Program. This position plays a central role in supporting the daily functions of the office while coordinating initiatives that strengthen student engagement, communication, experiential learning opportunities, and the overall student experience connected to Path to Purpose, Berea’s Work College Program. The role serves as a key point of connection for students, faculty, staff, supervisors, community partners, and campus visitors while helping maintain efficient office operations and a welcoming, student- centered environment. This position also serves as a first-point liaison for routine student concerns, accountability documentation, and student support matters connected to the Path to Purpose experience. The role is responsible for helping triage concerns, maintaining appropriate documentation, and using sound judgment and discernment in determining when issues should be elevated to the Associate Dean or other divisional leadership. In addition, the position coordinates the Berea Work College Program’s off-campus experience program and supports divisional leadership through operational coordination, communication support, strategic initiatives, and special projects that advance the mission and goals of the division. Following long-standing tradition and practice at Berea College, this position includes responsibility for supervising, mentoring, and developing students in the College's integrated Work College Program. This supports student learning, career readiness, and the program's learning goals and outcomes. The Work College Program provides a developmental framework that guides student learning while creating a structured mentorship opportunity, with role-specific training that equips faculty and staff mentors to support student development. Faculty and staff mentors play an essential part in helping students connect their work-learning-service experiences with broader academic, professional, and personal development. For faculty, this aligns with Berea's tenure and promotion criteria.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required
Two years directly related experience, preferably in higher education.
Professional work in a confidential environment
Strong organizational and administrative management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community partners while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
Strong interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, through written communication, and across diverse audiences.
Ability to support and engage students from a developmental and student-centered perspective.
Knowledge of office operations, scheduling coordination, records management, and administrative processes.
Experience coordinating events, meetings, trainings, or student engagement initiatives.
Ability to problem solve independently while exercising sound judgment, discernment, and discretion when addressing student concerns and sensitive situations.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage complex logistical processes.
Ability to collaborate across departments and contribute to a team-oriented environment.
Proficiency with administrative and communication technologies, including Microsoft Office, scheduling systems, databases, and related platforms.
Understanding of experiential learning, student development, or higher education environments preferred.
Ability to adapt to evolving priorities and contribute to strategic and operational initiatives within the division.
Valid driver’s license
Manual dexterity and visual acuity necessary to do substantial and detailed work on the computer.
Ability to operate general office equipment.
Ability to navigate campus/public buildings and grounds
Ability to travel independently by car and/or plane
Ability to occasionally lift up to 20lbs.
Must be able to sit for extended periods of time with computer use

Nice To Haves

Understanding of experiential learning, student development, or higher education environments preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage the daily administrative operations of the Path to Purpose office, including scheduling, communications, records management, and coordination of office workflows.
Serve as a primary point of contact for students, faculty, staff, supervisors, community partners, and campus visitors by providing timely support, information, and referrals.
Coordinate divisional calendars, meetings, operational logistics, and internal communications to support effective office operations.
Serve as the first-point liaison for routine student concerns, student support matters, and accountability-related documentation connected to the Path to Purpose experience.
Maintain appropriate documentation related to student concerns, accountability processes, and follow-up communications while ensuring professionalism and confidentiality.
Use sound judgment and discernment to assess concerns and elevate matters to the Associate Dean of Labor or other divisional leadership when appropriate.
Lead and coordinate the division's off-campus experience program, including student coordination, community partner communication, and program support operations.
Support student engagement and experiential learning initiatives connected to Path to Purpose and Berea’s work- learning-service model.
Assist with planning and coordination of trainings, retreats, workshops, supervisor development opportunities, and student engagement events.
Coordinate and support divisional communication efforts, including weekly supervisor newsletters, announcements, informational materials, and student-facing communications.
Maintain and organize divisional records, databases, reports, and operational documentation.
Assist with onboarding, training coordination, and administrative support for student leaders, supervisors,and departmental partners.
Support divisional leadership with strategic initiatives, executive-level coordination needs, sensitive communications, and operational priorities that advance the mission and goals of the Work College division.
Perform additional duties and special projects in support of the mission, goals, and evolving needs of the Work College Program.
Demonstrate flexibility as this role evolves, adapting to new responsibilities and strategies in alignment with the campus strategic plan.