Program Assistant

Internal

Bellingham, Washington

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Administrative Management, Administrative Skills, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Animal Training, Brand Marketing (Branding), Communication Skills, Community Support, Computer Science, Content Management Systems (CMS), Customer Support/Service, Data Science, Database Management Software/Systems (DBMS), Detail Oriented, Drupal, Equipment Maintenance/Repair, Establish Priorities, Event Management, Event Marketing, Faculty Administration, Fire Safety, Genetics, Graphic Design, Graphics Software, HTML (HyperText Markup Language), High School Diploma, Higher Education, Internet Security, Interpersonal Skills, Inventory Management, Legal, Logistics, Mail Processing, Maintenance Services, Marketing Communications, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Military, Multitasking, News Reporting, Office Equipment, Operations Processes, Organizational Skills, Pamphlets, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Project/Program Coordination, Purchasing/Procurement, Record Keeping, Regulatory Compliance, Scholarship, Shipping/Receiving, Spreadsheets, Systems Administration/Management, Telephone Skills, Web Accessibility, Webmaster, Website Management, Word Processing, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Bellingham, Washington
POSTED
5 days ago
Position TitleProgram Assistant
About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the DepartmentThe Computer Science Department supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.
About the Position

This position provides a wide range of clerical support to the Computer Science Department Manager (Administrative Services Manager C), Advising & Outreach Specialist (Program Specialist 2), and 2 Academic Program Coordinators (Program Coordinators) in order to help the Computer Science Department, encompassing the Cybersecurity, and DATA Science Programs, run in an efficient manner and to provide a supportive and inclusive educational environment for students, faculty and staff.

This is a permanent, part-time (.75) cyclic position.

  •  Provide administrative support for the Advising and Outreach Specialist & Academic Program Coordinators in support of the Computer Science Department's academic programs. Tasks include: Provide information regarding program policies and activities to both internal constituents and the public; compose correspondence, printed materials, and/or resources related to program policies, procedures, and operations using spreadsheets, complex word processing techniques, and graphic design software; use database software to query records, run reports, enter registration overrides, and maintain records; edit materials for accuracy, appearance, readability, and style; assist in coordinating arrangements for program activities such as advising sessions, meetings, and events; assist the program coordinators in growing and maintaining relationships with contacts at existing partner colleges assist the program coordinators in developing new articulation agreements with potential partner colleges assist with collection, preparation, and processing of applications for the programs; assist with the annual scholarship award and distribution process.  
  • Provide administrative and clerical support to the Department Manager and all departmental faculty. Tasks include: Schedule conference and classrooms; maintain departmental signage and facilities and submit work orders as needed; process access requests; keep outreach materials/pamphlets stocked; receive and distribute mail & deliveries; lock/unlock departmental spaces; copy/scan/upload/file documents; proofread/edit documents; initiate eForms; assist in processing student/faculty travel; and additional tasks as requested. 
  • Perform event coordination, marketing, and communication functions for department. Tasks include: Serve as an assistant event coordinator for the department by being the liaison with internal and external presenters, arranging the event logistics, and publicizing the event to all stakeholders; Serve as an assistant coordinating the Tech Talk event series, including the recruitment of industry leaders and employers to connect with students; assist the program coordinator in attending or supporting info sessions/recruitment events compile and distribute information for all departmental activities; coordinate with department staff to compile and distribute external internship opportunities use graphic design software to create promotional and informational materials; create photo and video materials for both internal and external audiences; confer with other campus departments and outside agencies to assist with departmental announcements; create and post informational signs/displays/posters; update hallway monitor photo slideshow; and similar tasks. 
  • Lead administrative office operations Tasks include: Answer department telephone and emails; receive and direct department visitors by utilizing acquired knowledge of department and university resources; maintain inventory of office supplies, including purchase and receiving; maintain shared office machinery, including arranging maintenance and service functions; and similar tasks as requested. 
  • Serve as a webmaster for departmental websites Tasks Include: Assisting the Department Manager as primary point of contact for departmental websites with input on overall organization, design, and content matters; Assist in launching major website projects (e.g. platform conversions); engage with all stakeholders for website content; maintain university branding and accessibility standards on website and all other electronic and print communications; periodically review all websites for effectiveness and design elements, implementing revisions when beneficial.
Required Qualifications
  • High school graduate or equivalent
  • Two years clerical experience or equivalent education/experience
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Excellent problem solving skills
  • Demonstrated clarity in verbal and written communications
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, amidst frequent interruptions
  • Demonstrated ability to work within a team
  • Profciency with MS Office (Outlook email, Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, mail merging, label templates, etc)
  • Willingness to learn new software skills
  • Able to perform lifting related to office work activities
  • Experience working with a diverse population
Preferred Qualifications
  • Two years customer service experience
  • Experience working in higher education
  • Experience with Banner software
  • Experience with Drupal, HTML, and/or other website content management systems
  • Experience with Adobe Photoshop and/or Illustrator
Conditions of EmploymentAll employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to

HR@wwu.edu

if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary$2,898 - $3,594/month (@.75 FTE) depending on qualifications and experience
Benefits InformationBenefits Overview for Classified Positions
Bargaining UnitThis position is part of bargaining unit A and is covered by the collective bargaining agreement with Washington Federation of State Employees.
Application Instructions

Application materials should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications.

Closing Date NotesPosition open to current permanent (no longer on probation) WFSE employees only; position closes 07/07/2026 at 11:55 pm.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); 

crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at

student.life@wwu.edu

. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.

About the Company

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