Position Summary
The Assistant to the Director (AD) will work under the direction of the Director of the MCSS to provide support in organizational, academic, administrative, and financial matters pertaining to the Center.
The AD will take an active role in the design, development, and management of new outreach programs, collaborative efforts, and general public programming. The AD will work closely with faculty, research workers and students, local educators, business and engineering professionals, and other administrators. The AD will manage the accounts of the MCSS funding related to ongoing programs, provide financial analyses to the director, and carry out other such duties assigned by the director. The AD may also support the academic and research activities of the director.

Job Description

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

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Budgeting, Finance, Accounts Management, and Purchasing:

• Assist with the formulation of the MCSS annual budget, monitor expenditures, and in the management of funds supporting the innovative projects program for the faculty. The assistant will normally review expenses of the Center and requests from the faculty up to $2,500, with authority to approve such expense requests.
• Supply financial analyses, including projections and impact scenarios, of MCSS resources to the director and as needed to the Advisory Committee and Faculty Fellows, using the University Workday systems.
• Work closely with Physics and Earth and Planetary Sciences on tracking expenditures on MCSS supported gifts/projects.

Organizational and Outreach:

• Organization of MCSS distinguished speaker series – including arranging for venues, audio-visual support, publicity materials, itineraries, and work with the Communications Specialist (CS) to promote the science talks to the MCSS community and scientific public talks to the general University community and St. Louis audience at large.
• Provide administrative assistance in annual MCSS postdoctoral fellowship search including assisting with the annual search approval, advertising the position, and assisting the search chair by organizing application materials, arranging interviews, emailing applicants, and assisting with onboarding the new hire.
• Assist with searches for any replacements of MCSS endowed professors in Physics or Earth and Planetary Sciences.
• Work with MCSS members to collect yearly project summaries. 
• Organize information needed and prepare the MCSS annual report.
• Organize MCSS summer undergraduate research program and help organize events to enhance the students’ experience. Request and organize MCSS undergraduate research project proposals for director’s review and follow through with accepted students for their end of summer project summary. Coordinate summer research experience in collaboration with the Physics, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and the Office of Undergraduate Research.
• Assist with MCSS visiting scientists’ procedures surrounding visits. This may include coordinating remuneration for their time at the University, and if needed, working with the OISS to assist foreign visitors in completing appropriate administrative requirements for their visit.
• Participate in the recruitment process of selecting MCSS graduate fellowship awardees and the call for nominees and submission of the potential applicants for the Baines Family Planetary Science Scholarship.
• Potential for coordination of retreats, special meetings/conferences, REU involvement, poster sessions, and other new activities that may develop to promote the activities and opportunities of MCSS to its members, potential and existing scientists and students, and the community.
• Assist in efforts to improve relations with dignitaries, alumni, and potential donors with events, special meetings.
• Coordinate efforts with the Communications Specialist to increase MCSS visibility in the local area, nationally, and internationally. This may include assisting with editing and production of publications, preparation of press release text, development and maintenance of the MCSS website, and personal contacts with media representatives by coordinating with the Marketing and Communications office of the University.
• Nurture and expand partners of MCSS to cross share community events within the space sciences to the broader St. Louis area and the University, i.e., St. Louis Astronomical Society.
• Send MCSS fellows, grad students, etc. announcements of weekly events in each department and coordinate visits with cross-disciplinary speakers outside of their hosting department.

General Administration:

• Schedule appointments, meetings, calendar events for director, and monitor important deadlines for MCSS and the director.
• Handle incoming inquiries about outreach, meteorites, lab questions, etc.

Support Director’s Academic and Research Activity:

• Provide administrative support to the director’s teaching and research activities, calendar events, and any other such administrative duties.

Perform other duties assigned by the director.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physical science, education, or business administration.
• Three years of experience in coordinating complex tasks related to administration, research, or education.
• Experience with budget management and financial analysis.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and preparation of correspondence.
• Ability to work well with faculty, research personnel, students, and administrators.
• Ability to interact with science and education communities from local to international levels.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work well with minimal supervision and resolve most operational administrative and financial problems.
• Experience with website design and maintenance.
• Ability to work well with minimal supervision and resolve most operational administrative and financial problems. 
• Event planning, organization, coordination, and execution. 
• Strong computer skills with experience using Microsoft Office s, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
• Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills to deal effectively with a broad and diverse range of people.
• In-depth knowledge of office procedures.
• Ability to work as part of a team or independently.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent high school certification.
• Two years of relevant work experience.

Grade
G07-H

Salary Range
$18.36 - $28.47 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu  or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

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