FWS Student Assistant - Office of Graduate Studies

Salary: $15.00 per hour

The FWS student employee will be cross trained to provide customer service and office support for the Front Desk/Reception area, Student Support Services, and Professional Development areas of the Office of Graduate Studies, 12-20 (maximum) hours per week depending on availability; flexible scheduling Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. based on student class schedule; Tampa Campus only.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.

Minimum Qualifications

Must have a valid Federal Work Study (FWS) Award for the period being employed (Fall 2025), be enrolled as a degree-seeking student for at least six (6) hours as an undergraduate student, and be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or higher). Applicants are asked to provide proof of their FWS Award by saving a screenshot of their "Award Overview" screen from your Student Self-Service tile located within your MyUSF account, and uploading it as part of the application package.

Preferred Qualifications

Proficiency with Microsoft Forms and Bookings, social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook), and graphic design software (Canva)

Student Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate the importance of communication flow in the workplace
• First-hand experience managing multiple projects at a time, requiring diverse skills
• Assess the workplace and demonstrate how personal talents, skills, and knowledge fit in with the employer's goals, mission, and vision
• Basic employability skills such as interpersonal communication, timeliness, appropriate dress, and time management
• Receive and apply feedback from the supervisor and effectively apply feedback to performance

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to, providing office and administrative support to Graduate Studies Operations, Student Support Services, and Professional Development units by:

• Welcoming visitors to the Office of Graduate Studies
• Assisting walk-in traffic and visitors with inquiries and directing them to or scheduling appointments with appropriate staff as needed
• Triaging and routing telephone inquiries to the appropriate staff or unit
• Monitoring the central email box, responding to and routing email inquiries to appropriate staff
• Assisting with preparation and coordination, event setup, participation in, and clean up of Graduate Studies events
• Completing routine office tasks such as photocopying or scanning documents, processing incoming mail, making campus deliveries or pick-ups, or other clerical functions as assigned
• Assisting Graduate Studies Operations teams with work projects as needed

Job Requirements

Reliable and dependable when reporting to work, completing projects or assignments, and responding to email or Teams communications promptly.

• Ability to work independently and as a team
• Be customer service and student-focused
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Professional demeanor and dress
• Be self-motivated and flexible
• Be well organized and able to multitask
• Proficient computer skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to, providing office and administrative support to Graduate Studies Operations, Student Support Services, and Professional Development units by:

• Welcoming visitors to the Office of Graduate Studies
• Assisting walk-in traffic and visitors with inquiries and directing them to or scheduling appointments with appropriate staff as needed
• Triaging and routing telephone inquiries to the appropriate staff or unit
• Monitoring the central email box, responding to and routing email inquiries to appropriate staff
• Assisting with preparation and coordination, event setup, participation in, and clean up of Graduate Studies events
• Completing routine office tasks such as photocopying or scanning documents, processing incoming mail, making campus deliveries or pick-ups, or other clerical functions as assigned
• Assisting Graduate Studies Operations teams with work projects as needed

Job Requirements

Reliable and dependable when reporting to work, completing projects or assignments, and responding to email or Teams communications promptly.

• Ability to work independently and as a team
• Be customer service and student-focused
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Professional demeanor and dress
• Be self-motivated and flexible
• Be well organized and able to multitask
• Proficient computer skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook