Assistant to the Class Deans - Research and Assessment

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Assistant to the Class Deans - Research and Assessment position. The Assistant to the Class Deans - Research and Assessment is a full-time, year-round position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $27 to $31 per hour.

The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to relevant education, training, and experience, tenure status, and other nondiscriminatory business considerations. Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Click here for Benefits Information.

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Students & Class Dean (“Associate Dean”), the Assistant to the Class Deans ("the Assistant") provides high-level administrative support to the Class Deans, is a key liaison with the Registrar’s office and serves as a resource in solving complex administrative issues. Additionally, this position assists the Class Dean’s office in tracking assessment data, research, and report writing on a variety of topics as needed.

The Assistant provides a wide range of administrative support to the Class Deans Office, which is vital in order to support students’ academic progress at the College. In addition, the Assistant provides support to the departments of Student Care and Community Standards, when necessary, in support of the Associate Dean and the Office Manager for Student Care, Community Standards, and the Class Deans. The Assistant’s tasks follow an annual rhythm that aligns with the academic calendar in regard to tasks such as supporting the Academic Standing process, extensions, and supporting the student return process. However, each day contains a wide variety of tasks that are often unpredictable. From greeting students and other guests as needed, which at times includes managing urgent student crises and connecting them to their Class Dean or other campus resources, to supporting the deans in managing unanticipated urgent appointments and/or research alongside the daily or weekly tasks that must be maintained. The Assistant is responsible for clear, professional communication within the office as well as with students, faculty, staff and occasionally with families. While this position is not responsible for sharing policies with students, it is important that they understand the relevant academic policies in order to provide direction to students and to ensure the office business processes are functioning correctly.

The Assistant takes appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participates in the College’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

This position is not eligible for remote work.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Class Dean Administrative Support

• Serve as a Class Dean’s Office information resource, determining student needs, providing information, and directing them to the appropriate person/department.
• Act as a liaison between students and faculty, and parents and deans, as well as other offices (Registrar, Financial Aid, Admissions, Institutional Research, and the Office of Community Living).
• Collaborate with the Registrar’s office and faculty members to assist with the missing and final grade submittal process.
• Maintain class deans’ calendars, schedule meetings and events, including coordinating logistics, and prepare and distribute agendas.
• Schedule and coordinate meetings with individual students, committees, and groups.
• Maintain education records in Maxient and Perceptive Content.
• Academic Extensions – process documents, communicate with students, faculty, and the Registrar’s Office.
• Assist in onboarding new Faculty Class Deans in understanding office procedures and preparing for cyclical academic processes.
• Greet visitors, and respond to both internal and external correspondence via the telephone and in person; refer individuals to appropriate departments as necessary. Provide direction and/or assistance in resolving problems, issues and/or complaints that may be sensitive in nature.
• Research and summarize data for regularly assigned or special projects. Review, prepare and process paperwork and/or electronic requests. Compile, compose, and edit documents; produce and distribute documents, including correspondence, policies, and reports such as semester withdrawals, course withdrawals, and readmission to the college.
• Data Steward and Institutional Research liaison.
• Maintain the permission process for unusual enrollment requests that require Class Dean approval.
• Course Withdrawals – manage and coordinate semester, multiyear, medical, and voluntary withdrawals, as well as reduced course load requests.
• Committee on Academic Standing (CAS).
• Compile, track and prepare all CAS reports.
• Communicate with faculty to obtain mid-semester student information.
• Facilitate CAS meetings, including digital documents.
• Generate, send, and document CAS letters.
• Attend/participate in meetings or serve on committees and work groups for the respective area. Prepare draft procedural documents for final committee/work group review, and take notes or prepare minutes.
• Make travel arrangements, and prepare and submit travel and expense claims.
• General office management – in partnership with administrative colleagues and to backup the Office Manager - keep contact information current, develop and maintain standard office operating procedures, establish and manage project timelines.
• Provide backup for the suite reception and other tasks of the Office Manager, when necessary.

Research, Gathering and Organizing Assessment Data

• Work closely with the Associate Dean to implement, monitor and update assessment practices.

• Research peer institutions and other sources of best practices as needed regarding student support services.

• Document information gathered through both the Class Dean’s assessment efforts and research projects in a format to be shared with others.

General Office Support

• Support special events, projects, and initiatives organized by the office, including but not limited to: preparing announcements, invitations, and certificates; displaying information; managing catering and maintenance requests; and completing any follow-up correspondence.

• Archive student files.

• Supervise, support, and develop casual and student employees as needed.

Qualifications:

Required

• Associate’s Degree.
• Five years of related experience.
• An equivalent combination of education/experience in lieu of the minimum education and related experience.
• Demonstrated administrative, organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Sensitivity to issues of confidentiality.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently and collaboratively.
• Accuracy and keen attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and able to learn new software such as Business Objects, Maxient, Image Now, and Workday.
• Experience working collaboratively with a diverse community.
• Successful completion of required reference and background checks.
• An acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen.) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Amherst College is committed to an inclusive hiring process and will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates throughout the application and interview process upon request.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.