Academic Department Coordinator (American Studies and Anthropology/Sociology)

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 Academic Department Coordinator (American Studies and Anthropology/Sociology) position. The Academic Department Coordinator (American Studies and Anthropology/Sociology) is a part-time (20 hours per week), academic year (42 weeks per year) position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $27 - $30 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.

Provides comprehensive administrative support for two departments: American Studies and Anthropology/Sociology. This is a 20-hour-per-week position during the academic year (42 weeks a year). Performs a wide range of detail-oriented tasks in a fast-moving environment. The administrative support areas include the following: support for the chair in carrying out departmental business; curricular support; event management; budget support, financial transactions, and student employment coordination; communications and office management. Serves as the first point of contact for departments on campus and is required to work on campus four days a week when classes are in session. This position calls for a proactive, adaptable individual who can assist with all ADC tasks across multiple disciplines and work collaboratively with diverse groups of colleagues.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Faculty Support

• Support the chairs and faculty in carrying out departmental business according to the academic calendar

• Coordinate and attend departmental meetings, prepare relevant materials, and take meeting minutes, as appropriate 

• Assist in reappointment, tenure, and promotion processes, including managing the course evaluation and retrospective letter process for tenure-line faculty, maintaining records, and preparing materials for review

• Assist in faculty searches, including coordination of search process logistics

• Coordinate the department’s annual prizes and fellowships for majors

Curricular Support

• Update course information in the Course Catalog, CPI, and Workday

• Assist with course logistics 

• Assist with majors’ records

• Communicate between the department and the registrar’s office regarding courses, majors, graduating seniors, and other academic matters

• Coordinate majors’ annual prizes and fellowships

Event Management

• Coordinate honoraria, travel reimbursements, ground transportation, and accommodations for guest speakers 

• Coordinate venues, receptions, and publicity for all events

Budget Support, Financial Transactions, and Student Employment 

• Administer and track expenses for departmental and gift accounts; reconcile monthly expenses; and monitor balances in Workday

• Process purchase orders, invoices, and reimbursements

• Create budgets in collaboration with the department chair and director of academic finance

• Coordinate and maintain student employment 

Communications and Office Management 

• Maintain departmental website and electronic files

• Scheduling and stocking of supplies in departmental common space(s)

• Serve as the liaison between the department and students, faculty, and staff across campus, and the wider community 

Qualifications:

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent

• 1 to 3 years of related experience

• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, time-management, organizational and customer-service skills

• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and work collaboratively

• Demonstrated high level of attention to detail

• Sensitivity to issues of confidentiality

• Familiarity with Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office (or similar platforms)

• Experience working collaboratively with a diverse community

• Successful completion of required reference and background checks

• An acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check

Preferred

• Associate’s degree

• Three years or more of related experience at a higher education institution

• Experience working with Workday or other ERP software

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.