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Penn State Job Catalog

Administrative Assistant – Support (PSU0930)

Additional Levels

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

Job Strings

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Administrative Support



Job Summary and Representative Duties

The Administrative Assistant provides support to ensure the efficient operation of the office; coordinates schedules, handles communications, organizes files, and assists staff and management with a variety of administrative tasks; supports budget and data activities; serves as a key point of contact for students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.

  • Plan, organize, and coordinate daily office activities and administrative processes
  • Provide general office support, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to institutional policies and procedures
  • Create, organize, and maintain files, records, and databases
  • Greet visitors and provide information; review, respond to, and appropriately direct inquiries
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for students, faculty, staff, fellows, and external partners
  • Compose, review, and distribute internal and external communications
  • Maintain calendars, schedule meetings, and coordinate appointments
  • Provide support for scheduling travel arrangements
  • Coordinate meeting logistics, including scheduling, agenda development, and preparation of materials
  • Review, edit, and format reports, presentations, and correspondence
  • Collect and organize data, including budgetary and operational information
  • Compile and maintain records to support departmental and institutional reporting needs
  • Track expenditures and assist with budget preparation and projections
  • Initiate financial transactions, reimbursements, and budget revisions in accordance with policies
  • Maintain inventory and order office supplies
  • Support and coordinate meetings, workshops, and special events; reserve spaces, develop itineraries, prepare materials, and coordinate across teams
  • Serve as a point of contact for vendors and event stakeholders
  • Respond to inquiries and issues while ensuring compliance with unit and university policies and procedures
  • Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
  • May supervise staff members, including hiring, training, development, and performance management

Level Matrix

Level:
Support
Base Description:
– Completes administrative activities and tasks of a technical or functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Demonstrates baseline working knowledge of routine tasks. Follows the standard principles and practices. Acts under direct and frequent supervision using established procedures with detailed instructions. Participates as a team member and actively contributes to completion of team goals. Clearly communicates information.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
– None
Fiscal Responsibilities:
– Typically none
– May handle routine financial transactions
Problem Solving:
– Encounters routine problems
– Follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– Demonstrates working knowledge of institutional policies and procedures
Independence of Action:
– Work is closely monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are provided
– Applies standard operating procedures with limited guidelines for deviation
Communication and Collaboration:
– Communicates mostly internally within working unit
– May communicate with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Clearly communicates information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 4
  • Minimum – $34,800.00
  • MidPoint – $42,600.00
  • Maximum – $50,500.00
Critical Skills
  • Adaptability
  • Attention To Detail
  • Bookkeeping
  • Calendaring
  • Customer Service
  • Event planning
  • Office management
  • Technical proficiency
  • Time Management
FLSA Exemption Status
Non-Exempt
Minimum Education
  • General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
  • High School (HS)
Minimum Experience
No prior relevant work experience required
Equivalency
Previous relevant work experience accepted in lieu of education