Dean of Social Sciences - Administrative Assistant
Job Description
The Administrative Assistant to the Dean (AAD) of the Social Sciences Division (SSD) is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Dean’s Office, and providing divisional-level assistance to 7 departments (Communication, Economics & Business, Education, Kinesiology, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology & Social Work), and 3 interdisciplinary programs (American Ethnic Studies, Global Studies, Peace & Justice) and 1 educational outreach program (TRIO Upward Bound).
Roles of the AAD are to:
- Facilitate the execution of the responsibilities of the dean and the dean’s office within the division and the College;
- Provide operational information and support to departmental chairs, program directors, and office managers;
- Assist the dean in outward-facing initiatives, including philanthropy & engagement, public relations and marketing, admissions, special events, and various other activities; and,
- Represent the SSD at College-wide administrative staff functions, forums, and workshops
Because the aforementioned roles involve engagement with many different constituents and access to a wide range of personnel and institutional information, utmost confidentiality and professional discernment are absolutely necessary requirements for the AAD.
Responsibilities of the AAD are to:
Schedule and Coordinate
- Appointments for the dean using Google calendar
- Twice-monthly chairs’ and program directors’ meetings
- Regular 1:1 meetings between the dean and individual department chairs and program directors
- Tenure and promotion, pre-promotion, and annual review meetings
Manage and Track
- Dean’s operating budget
- Dean’s discretionary funds, including start-up funds for new tenure-track faculty
- Adjunct faculty requests each semester
- Over & above payment requests
- Anchor plan artifacts submitted by departments to dean’s office
- Expenses incurred by dean and self via Certify.com
- Tenure, promotion and third-year review processes and schedules
- Application, selection process, and follow-up for internal student summer research awards and stipends
- Honors Convocation awards and certificates
- Social Science awards selection processes
- Divisional nominations for boards and committees
- Office and other space allocations, moves, and assignments for incoming faculty
- Office supply needs such as paper, print cartridges, coffee, shred service, etc.
- Maintenance requests for SS buildings (repairs, paint, etc.)
- Send congratulations and sympathy cards to divisional faculty members
- Order and distribute divisional Christmas gift
Maintain and Update
- Department faculty lists with title, FTE, rank, years of service, sabbatical eligibility, start-up package information, etc.
- Faculty workload spreadsheets
- Records of student awards, faculty awards, and faculty/student collaborative research
- Division website through OU Campus with assistance from Public Affairs and Marketing
- VanderWerf and VanZoeren hallway directories
Create, Plan and Execute
- Twice-monthly meetings with departmental office managers to communicate reminders, upcoming events and due dates, and to develop a team atmosphere
- Divisional and campus-wide lunches, celebrations, and leadership events
- Social Science Lectures and Visiting Scholars
- Divisional clean-up and recycling events
- Craft clear, thorough, and succinct written materials for the purpose of communicating with department chairs, office managers, the Provost’s Office, and Physical Plant
Actively Participate and Contribute
- Twice-monthly meetings with assistants to the provost, associate provost, dean of the Arts & Humanities Divisions, and dean of the Social Sciences Division
- Utilize a variety of software systems and quickly assimilate new systems and information during changes or upgrades
- Engage in and assist with unique situations and challenges presented to the dean’s office
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or minimum five years administrative staff experience
- Ability to work with minimal supervision; willingness to take initiative
- Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Mastery of Microsoft Office or Google suite programs preferred; social media experience with the ability to learn additional computer programs as needed
Physical Demands
This position requires remaining in a sitting or standing position for frequent periods of time; uses office machinery such as a computers, printers, copy machines; Occasionally involves moving items over 10 pounds; frequently will move between different offices/workspaces/buildings; and requires effective communication abilities. In the case of temporary or permanent condition(s) that require(s) accommodation(s), reasonable accommodation(s) may be requested.
Pre-employment Screenings
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check. Some positions may have position specific requirements, such as education/licensure/certification verification, a physical, drug screening, credit checks and/or transportation record review.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please submit a cover letter and resume, and provide contact information for references. References will only be contacted for finalists later in the interview process.
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