Req Id: 44087
Job Title: Senior Administrative Assistant
City: West Lafayette
Job Description:
Job Summary
College of Science | Purdue University | West Lafayette, Indiana
The Department of Biological Sciences is seeking a Senior Administrative Assistant to join our dynamic academic, research, and scientific community. As a member of the Biological Sciences administrative team, this position provides high-level administrative support to the Department, the Office of Student Success, and serves as a key liaison to International Students and Scholars (ISS). The impact of these responsibilities extends well beyond routine administrative support and requires a high degree of independence, judgment, organization, and knowledge of Purdue University processes and systems.
Responsibilities Include:
- Serving as the Biological Sciences liaison for International Students and Scholars (ISS). This role requires coordination across departmental and university offices to ensure that international faculty, postdoctoral researchers, visiting professors, and students receive accurate information and timely administrative support
- Manage the day-to-day responsibilities providing customer service and administrative support for the Student Success Office reception area, serving as a welcoming and professional first point of contact for students, faculty, staff, prospective students, and visitors
- Coordinates logistical arrangements for Introducing Purdue and Purdue for Me Day, two important university events that require detailed planning, communication, and coordination
- Processes transfer credit entries and related academic record updates, requiring accuracy, confidentiality, and a strong understanding of university academic processes
- Maintains information in Brightspace, including course announcements and student communications, ensuring students receive timely and accurate information
- Generating award letters and processing SURF applications. These duties require attention to detail, adherence to established university processes and deadlines, and the ability to manage information that directly impacts students and their academic and research opportunities
- Beyond these primary responsibilities, this position has an important leadership and supervisory component. This position is responsible for the training and delegation of the assignment of duties and the supervision of student workers
- This position serves in a back-up role to other departmental administrative assistants in the department and to the Main Office support staff. This individual is part of a community committed to outstanding customer service by building strong relationships with those within the 4 buildings that house the Biological Sciences department and individuals within the Purdue campus community
What Were Looking For
Education and Experience Required:
- Requires a High School Degree or High School Equivalency (HSE)
- Three (3) years of experience in a clerical or administrative support role
Skills Required:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills and attention to detail
- Drafting, proofreading and editing skills
- Advanced computer and related software skills to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet, etc.
- Ability to:
- handle frequent interruptions, balance multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality
- collaborate with and communicate with individuals at all levels within and external to the university to support department needs
- interpret policies and procedures to proactively resolve issues or improve processes
- identify problems and implement or recommend solutions
Additional Information:
- Purdue University will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
- A background check will be required for employment in this position
- FLSA: Non-Exempt (Eligible for Overtime)
- Retirement Eligibility: Non-exempt Defined Contribution Plan
- Benefit Statement: Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days - Summary of Benefits for Administrative and Operational Support, Police, Fire and Skilled Trades - Human Resources - Purdue University
Career Stream
Administrative and Operational Support 3
- Pay Band S045
- Job Code #20002331
Career path maker: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/careerpathmaker/
Who We Are
Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Purdue University is an EOE employer.
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Posting Start Date: 9/24/26