What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Specialist - Health, Sport, & Human Physiology position at Health, Sport, & Human Physiology - Jobs@UIOWA Careers?
The Department of Health, Sport, and Human Physiology (HSHP) is seeking an Operations Specialist (Administrative Services Specialist, PAA2). As Operations Specialist, you will run the day-to-day operations of the HSHP main office and serve as the department's central point of contact for faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the public. The position pairs high-level administrative support for the Department Administrator with real ownership: you will supervise office staff, manage faculty review processes, shape the procedures the department runs on, and lead the communications that keep everyone informed. It is a position with a wide field of view and a high degree of discretion and independent judgment — a strong fit for an experienced administrative professional ready to move from executing processes to owning them.
This position not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.
Position is 100% on-site.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee main office operations, including front desk coverage, and serve as the first point of contact for students, faculty, alumni, and community inquiries.
- Provide administrative supervision of office staff— assigning work, coaching, delivering feedback, and conducting performance reviews.
- Manage promotion and tenure and other faculty review processes from start to finish, exercising a high degree of discretion with confidential materials.
- Provide high-level administrative support to the Department Administrator, including assistance with departmental budgeting needs.
- Monitor the departmental scholarship process, ensuring awards are applied in line with donor intentions in coordination with the Undergraduate and Graduate Program Committees and accounting staff.
- Plan and coordinate department-wide events and organize complex meetings; develop standard operating procedures and policies and support departmental goals with clear benchmarks and progress tracking.
- Lead departmental communications — website updates, the departmental communication plan, marketing and social media efforts, and timely notice of key events, deadlines, and policies to faculty, staff, and students.
For a full job description or questions about this position, please send an email to libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu
Education Required
- Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required Qualifications
- At least three (3) years of relevant administrative experience.
- Advanced skill with a variety of desktop tools, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook calendaring, along with the willingness and ability to learn new software platforms as needed.
- Working knowledge of, and demonstrated ability to use, tools, techniques, and processes for gathering and reporting data.
- Excellent project management skills, including the ability to plan to both short-term and long-term deadlines to reach a desired outcome.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments about prioritization and time allocation.
- High attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills.
Desired Qualifications
- Basic experience with website maintenance.
- Working experience with electronic processing systems, such as Workflow.
- Basic knowledge of University policies and procedures.
- Experience supervising or directing the work of office or student staff.
Position and Application Details
For additional job details and to apply please visit https://jobs.uiowa.edu/ and access requisition #26004860.
Pay Level 3B
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission.
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact: Libby Kleppe at libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu
About Iowa
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation. Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.