- 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 12 months; continuation past 12 months will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education (AESE) and the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD) in the College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking an Administrative Assistant to oversee and perform daily operations for the Center and initiate expenses for the Department of AESE. The NERCRD is located within AESE, and this position will assist both areas.
NERCRD duties include:
Monitor grants to ensure spending and expenses are processed accurately; prepare quarterly and yearly financial reports for sponsor and Board of Directors; and assist with preparing grant applications, including the annual Center grant.
Maintain records and assist with budget projections.
Ensure that all expenses are charged to the correct budget(s).
Work independently and with team to ensure compliance with College, University and sponsor policies, including being knowledgeable and up to date on processes and procedures.
Work with partners, internal and external to university on specifics of support payments-expense details, subcontract, consultant, travel, supplies, salary, etc.
Schedule and coordinate multiple monthly conference calls, taking and distributing minutes.
Coordinate occasional (1-2 annually) meetings and workshops in various locations and formats throughout the Northeast.
Reserve meeting space, hotel rooms, and technical/IT support.
Assist project colleagues with logistics and preparation for conferences/meetings/workshops/webinars.
Review hotel/conference center contracts.
Work with procurement office, PSUbuy to execute/authorize contract agreements, authorize deposits and fulfill payment of final meeting invoices;
Coordinate all aspects of the meeting with hotel manager.
Correspond with stakeholders, speakers and guests for meeting attendance, lodging accommodations, travel arrangements and other required paperwork.
Help to prepare agendas, presentations, and handouts for meetings.
Maintain positive relationships with NERCRD Board of Directors and Technical Advisory Committee members, Regional Rural Development Center faculty and staff, faculty and staff within the College of Agricultural Sciences.
AESE duties include:
Work as part of a team to initiate SAP Concur reports, purchase orders, non-purchase orders, invoices and deposits for faculty, staff, and graduate students.
Qualifications:
Knowledge of University, sponsor and departmental policies, procedures and systems-SIMBA, Workday, SAP Concur and SIMS-are necessary.
Ability to track and coordinate multiple projects is required.
Ability to work well independently and also to function effectively in a team setting.
This position works a hybrid schedule both remotely and on-campus.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School (HS) 2+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.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 and 2+ years of relevant experience
- Knowledge of university systems and policies, including SIMBA, Workday, SAP Concur, and SIMS
- Ability to track and coordinate multiple projects
- Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team
- Authorization to work in the U.S. (Penn State does not sponsor staff employment visas)
- Successful completion of background check(s) per university policy
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.
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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.
