- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Penn State Extension in Cumberland County is seeking an Administrative Assistant to support the daily operations of the Extension office. This position plays a central role in ensuring the smooth, efficient functioning of office activities and provides essential administrative, financial, and customer service support to educators, staff, and the public. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a dynamic team environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Administrative & Office Operations:
Provide overall support for Office Management and financial accounts following Penn State accounting procedures, processes, and information system for Cumberland and counties as assigned. This includes but not limited to monitoring budgets, processing office and educator’s expenditures, posting, receipting, making bank deposits and reconciling all payments.
Oversee general office operations, including inventory management, mail distribution, and facility coordination.
Support onboarding of new staff and assist with office-wide communication and workflow processes.
Respond to public inquiries, provide information about Extension programs, and ensure a welcoming, professional office environment.
Maintain office equipment, coordinate repairs, and manage service contracts.
Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
Program & Educator Support:
Provide administrative support to Extension educators, including scheduling, document preparation, and event coordination.
Assist with registration, customer service, and logistics for workshops, meetings, and community events.
Professional Expectations:
Maintain a professional appearance and represent Penn State University and the county Extension office in a professional manner.
Exercise sound judgment in carrying out duties as assigned.
Must demonstrate the ability to work independently.
Follow procedures and guidelines established by Penn State Extension.
Required Skills & Competencies:
Excellent communication, phone, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Ability to exercise discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information.
Demonstrated experience working in a team environment with strong collaboration skills.
Ability to work independently, multitask, and prioritize workload in a fast paced, ever changing environment.
Excellent grammar and proofreading skills.
Advanced computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Office 365.
Willingness to learn new financial and database accounting systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
Associate degree or higher preferred.
Experience in financial management, bookkeeping, or office administration strongly preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn Penn State financial and administrative systems.
Strong organizational, communication, and customer service skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality.
Location:
This position is based at the Penn State Extension office in Cumberland County.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School (HS) 2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $40,608.00 - $58,836.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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Skills Required
- High school diploma or GED with 2+ years relevant experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
- Advanced computer skills with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Office 365
- Willingness and ability to learn Penn State financial and database accounting systems
- Experience handling confidential information and exercising discretion
- Excellent communication, phone, organizational, interpersonal, grammar, and proofreading skills
- Ability to work independently, multitask, prioritize, and collaborate in a team environment
- Valid driver’s license and successful motor vehicle records (MVR) check
- Successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies
- Associate degree or higher
- Experience in financial management, bookkeeping, or office administration
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
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