What are the responsibilities and job description for the Higher Education Administrative Assistant I position at Rhode Island College?
The Higher Education Administrative Assistant I plays an essential role in supporting the daily operations of an academic department and creating a welcoming, responsive environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Working closely with department leadership and faculty, this position coordinates schedules and appointments, maintains departmental records, prepares correspondence and reports, and uses college software systems to support academic and administrative activities. Responsibilities include assisting students with course requests and information about academic policies and services, arranging classroom reservations and departmental events, supporting work study scheduling and payroll entry, and processing supply requests. The role offers an opportunity to contribute to student success while helping an academic department operate efficiently. An ideal candidate brings strong organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, proficiency with common office software, and the ability to manage varied assignments and build positive working relationships across the college community.
Illustrative Examples of Work Performed
- Within a college/university system, to perform routine administrative support functions in an academic department utilizing college enterprise software systems with common business applications and a wide variety of office equipment and computer software applications including word processing, spreadsheets and other contemporary office programs and equipment.
- To generate involved statistical statements, reports, legal documents, letters and other materials, utilizing the appropriate office software application, the college’s enterprise software system or from paper copy.
- To create and manipulate queries within the college’s enterprise software system such as class rosters, academic transcripts, faculty load reports, and other items.
to make classroom reservations utilizing the college’s event management system. - To convey basic pertinent information to faculty, staff, students and visitors as it relates to a wide range of policies and procedures of the college.
- To process student add/drop course requests.
- To coordinate office schedules for work study students within an academic department.
- To enter hours worked for the biweekly work study student payroll for the academic department.
- To maintain electronic and/or paper records for the academic department.
- To answer in-person, telephone or email inquiries for the academic department and respond appropriately.
- To convey information to students regarding course offerings, courses of study, and academic policies and services.
- To schedule faculty advising appointments for students as well as other events for the academic department chair and faculty.
- To maintain and requisition department supplies utilizing the college’s enterprise software system in compliance with college and state purchasing protocols.
- To perform routine maintenance of office machinery and equipment.
- To do related work as required.
Such as may have been gained through: graduation from a senior high school supplemented with training in computer information systems.
Experience
Such as may have been gained through: employment in performing general office tasks of a complex nature in an academic setting, including the sue of enterprise software systems with common business applications, word processing, spreadsheets, and other contemporary office software.
Or Combination of Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.
Additional Required Qualifications Knowledges Skills and Capacities
The ability to integrate information from one type of application package to another; the ability to generate accurate and concise written reports; a working knowledge of general office practices, business arithmetic and business English; a familiarity with spreadsheets, databases, word processing and other computer software; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, the college/university departments, and other state and private agencies and organizations and employees; the ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions; a working knowledge of higher education policies and procedures as well as general office practices; and related capacities and abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Position Details
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Full Time / Part Time
Part time
Work Schedule
Part-Time, 19 weekly hours
Monday – Thursday (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Friday (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Monday – Thursday (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Friday (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Academic or Calendar Year
Calendar
Benefits
Full-time employees enjoy an array of benefits including:
- Health and Wellness – Medical, Dental & Vision
- Wellness Incentives and Rewards
- Paid time Off – Vacation, Sick & Holiday
- Retirement Benefits
- Disability and Insurance Benefits
- Education Benefits – Tuition waivers for RIC, CCRI & URI
For a complete listing, visit Employee Benefits.
Reports To (Title)
Assistant Athletic Director for Recreation
Position Status
Permanent - C
End of Restricted or Limited Position
Civil Service List
No
Union Code
classified
Salary Grade
312CA
Minimum Salary for Grade
45,887
Maximum Salary for Grade
49,588
Added Salary for This Position
Collective Bargaining Unit
Council 94 Local 2879
Posting Information
Number of Positions Available
1
Anticipated Start Date
10/24/2026
Application Open Date
Application Close Date
11/05/2026
Special Instructions
- Candidates selected for further consideration may be required to complete a practical exercise. The exercise is a candidate screening tool that may be used to assess computer software skills specific to the job. Examples include but are not limited to Microsoft Word (mail merge, formatting, etc.), Microsoft Excel (charts, tables, formulas, etc.), and typing.
- Upon hire, candidate may be required to arrange for an official transcript of highest degree earned to be mailed/transmitted directly from the institution to RIC.
- Please be advised that the college is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must have authorization to work in the US without the need for employer sponsorship.
EEO Statement
As an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity institution which values and is committed to expanding the diversity of its faculty and staff, the College invites members of protected classes, including minorities and persons with disabilities, to identify themselves as such at the time of application.
Benefits:
Vacation & Paid Time Off, Dental InsuranceSalary : $45,887 - $49,588