What are the responsibilities and job description for the Academic Support Specialist, Social Sciences position at Spring Arbor University?
Academic Support Specialist, Social Sciences
Summary
The Academic Support Specialist supports the daily operations of the School of Social Sciences by providing administrative assistance, coordinating academic processes, assisting students and faculty, and maintaining office operations. This position is ideal for an organized, service-oriented professional who enjoys multitasking and working in a collaborative educational environment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
School Duties & Responsibilities
- Provide administrative support to the Dean and Department Chairs
- Assist the Dean and Department Chairs with problem-solving and trouble-shooting various academically related items
- Assist Chairs with the creation and maintenance of course schedules as needed
- Assist with the management and monitoring of faculty loads and assignments, including inputting the assignments into the university’s software
- Coordinates necessary communication of changes related to course schedules and faculty assignments
- Coordinates the review and processing of admissions decisions based on established criteria, referring candidates for faculty review as needed.
- Responsible for annual updates to the application packets and communication of any changes to the appropriate personnel.
- Assist with the monitoring of school budgets, including facilitating payment of expenses and maintaining a spreadsheet to track usage of faculty development funds
- Collects and organizes data for accreditation and compliance reporting.
- Serve as a liaison between eLearning and the departments regarding academic schedules, books, document updates, etc.
- Ensure the effective facilitation of various student petitions.
- Manage the office area as a professional workspace and ensure that it is welcoming to students, faculty, and visitors
- Help facilitate teamwork, communication, and collaboration with all academic support staff in the school, and with faculty as requested
- Serve as a resource for incoming and current students to answer questions, triage issues, and resolve problems
- Plan and execute school and department events
- Serve as the emergency response liaison for the 3rd floor of the Poling Center
- Attend and assist with graduation and admissions activities, and other school events as needed
- Other duties as assigned
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervises department Academic Support I positions and supervises student workers to meet the needs of the School of Social Sciences. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred. Equivalent education and experience will be considered.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Good organizational, interpersonal, communication, writing skills and the ability to work with faculty and students in a collegial and professional manner are necessary.
- Experience with Excel spreadsheets and MS Word is preferred.
- The ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks is essential, while having excellent attention to detail.
- Having a working knowledge of the university or academic processes, including traditional and graduate/online programs is helpful.
- The individual will exhibit a life and service that is in full accord with the Spring Arbor University Concept, Statement of Faith, and Community Covenant.
Experience working in multicultural academic environments preferred and individuals from diverse populations are encouraged to apply.
Spring Arbor University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. Spring Arbor University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements; the University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions) and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.