Staff Assistant - Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging

Overview

The mission of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA) is to promote healthy aging through nutrition science to empower people seeking to enjoy long, active, and independent lives. HNRCA investigators conduct the world's most advanced studies on nutrition and aging. The research focuses on determining the nutrient and physical activity requirements necessary to promote well-being for older adults. HNRCA scientists examine how nutrition and physical activity play a major role in the prevention of the major chronic degenerative conditions and diseases associated with aging.

What You'll Do

This is a grant funded position and is not eligible for severance pay.

Under limited supervision, the Staff Assistant performs complex and diverse duties for the department and serves as a source of information and problem-solving for students, investigators, staff and other constituents. They will provide general guidance and explanation of departmental policies and procedures and may communicate on behalf of manager(s) to explain or disseminate information. The Staff Assistant will also provide administrative support including organizing files systems for office, coordinating meetings and travel arrangements, as well as producing, proofreading and editing complex reports, documents and spreadsheets. Submits information on scientific manuscripts according to ARS requirements. Monitors, tracks expenditures, resolves problems and reports on department budget and/or grants. They will coordinate planning and logistics for meetings and special events including tracking responses, working with speakers on materials and set up. May also coordinate department projects or programs, which may entail assisting with development of materials and brochures, updating web information and assisting with content and design.

Serves as primary department contact for customers: Serves as primary department contact and resource for internal and external customers; may communicate on behalf of lead scientist/manager(s) to explain or disseminate information

Works with scientific staff to submit manuscripts and publications for approval

Coordinates on-boarding of new employees

Provides general guidance and explanation of departmental policies and procedures

Researches and resolves customer problems and concerns; recommends enhancements to improve department and customer service

May handle confidential or sensitive information

Provides administrative support and coordinates office operations: Organizes and schedules appointments and meetings

Evaluates and organizes file systems for department

Orders and maintains office supplies, works with Tufts Procurement team to purchase scientific equipment and supplies, works with vendors to maintain equipment and contracts

Completes expense reports, purchase orders, capital equipment approvals and requisitions

Coordinates sometimes complex travel arrangements

Screens, sorts and distributes mail; responds to routine email correspondence

May hire and train student and/or temporary workers and provide work direction to office staff

May process employment actions including hire, separation and change transactions

Recommends changes or enhancements to office operations

Produces complex documents and spreadsheets: May prepare and draft letters, memos, and other written materials for department

May proofread documents

Researches and organizes information to produce a variety of documents or reports for the department

May creates and maintains spreadsheets and databases and prepares reports, tables and charts

Coordinates Meetings or Special Events: Plans dates, coordinates invitations and tracks responses, determines venue, coordinates materials, audio-visual or other set-up needs

Works with and supports speakers or presenters, arranges for payment or honorarium

Assists with creation of marketing materials and publicity

Coordinates logistics on-site during event or program

Program or Project Coordination: Provides information and answers questions about department Programs or Projects

Assists with development of materials or brochures

Updates web information and drafts content for posting

Troubleshoots basic problems and refers more complex questions or concerns to the correct individual

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements: Knowledge and experience typically acquired by: High School Diploma /GED and 2-4 years of administrative experience OR a college degree with 1-3 years of administrative experience.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including word processing, editing, graphics, spreadsheet and database knowledge.

Pay Range

Minimum $23.00, Midpoint $27.35, Maximum $31.70

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

This is a grant funded position and is not eligible for severance pay.

Under limited supervision, the Staff Assistant performs complex and diverse duties for the department and serves as a source of information and problem-solving for students, investigators, staff and other constituents. They will provide general guidance and explanation of departmental policies and procedures and may communicate on behalf of manager(s) to explain or disseminate information. The Staff Assistant will also provide administrative support including organizing files systems for office, coordinating meetings and travel arrangements, as well as producing, proofreading and editing complex reports, documents and spreadsheets. Submits information on scientific manuscripts according to ARS requirements. Monitors, tracks expenditures, resolves problems and reports on department budget and/or grants. They will coordinate planning and logistics for meetings and special events including tracking responses, working with speakers on materials and set up. May also coordinate department projects or programs, which may entail assisting with development of materials and brochures, updating web information and assisting with content and design.

Serves as primary department contact for customers: Serves as primary department contact and resource for internal and external customers; may communicate on behalf of lead scientist/manager(s) to explain or disseminate information

Works with scientific staff to submit manuscripts and publications for approval

Coordinates on-boarding of new employees

Provides general guidance and explanation of departmental policies and procedures

Researches and resolves customer problems and concerns; recommends enhancements to improve department and customer service

May handle confidential or sensitive information

Provides administrative support and coordinates office operations: Organizes and schedules appointments and meetings

Evaluates and organizes file systems for department

Orders and maintains office supplies, works with Tufts Procurement team to purchase scientific equipment and supplies, works with vendors to maintain equipment and contracts

Completes expense reports, purchase orders, capital equipment approvals and requisitions

Coordinates sometimes complex travel arrangements

Screens, sorts and distributes mail; responds to routine email correspondence

May hire and train student and/or temporary workers and provide work direction to office staff

May process employment actions including hire, separation and change transactions

Recommends changes or enhancements to office operations

Produces complex documents and spreadsheets: May prepare and draft letters, memos, and other written materials for department

May proofread documents

Researches and organizes information to produce a variety of documents or reports for the department

May creates and maintains spreadsheets and databases and prepares reports, tables and charts

Coordinates Meetings or Special Events: Plans dates, coordinates invitations and tracks responses, determines venue, coordinates materials, audio-visual or other set-up needs

Works with and supports speakers or presenters, arranges for payment or honorarium

Assists with creation of marketing materials and publicity

Coordinates logistics on-site during event or program

Program or Project Coordination: Provides information and answers questions about department Programs or Projects

Assists with development of materials or brochures

Updates web information and drafts content for posting

Troubleshoots basic problems and refers more complex questions or concerns to the correct individual

Basic Requirements: Knowledge and experience typically acquired by: High School Diploma /GED and 2-4 years of administrative experience OR a college degree with 1-3 years of administrative experience.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including word processing, editing, graphics, spreadsheet and database knowledge.