Administrative Assistant/Front Desk Receptionist

The University of Southern California (USC) is a leading research university located in Los Angeles—a global center for arts, technology, and international business. As a USC employee you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family—the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a wonderful work environment.

The Writing Program seeks a full-time Administrative Assistant/Front Desk Receptionist to join its team to support the Writing Program Director, Associate Directors, and Faculty. The Writing Program is housed in The Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, which is the largest and oldest of the USC schools and functions as the academic core of the university, offering courses and advancing knowledge across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. With more than 80 faculty and a range of composition courses, The Writing Program is dedicated to serving the needs of students from all USC schools and preparing them to write successfully in their academic and professional careers. The Administrative Assistant/Front Desk Receptionist will provide varied administrative support for the Writing Program. Candidates are expected to have strong communication skills and be capable of performing administrative and clerical tasks in a fast-paced academic setting. We are looking for highly motivated and detail-oriented team players.

Primary responsibilities of the position include:

• Provides a positive first impression as the initial point of communication for guests, faculty, staff, and students. Constantly promotes and models courteous service in a prompt and efficient manner. Includes screening and prioritizing incoming calls, determining what action is required for satisfactory disposition.
• Responds to inquiries or requests for information pertaining to the Writing Program and requiring knowledge of departmental and university policies and procedures. Refers to supervisor as appropriate.
• Serves as the point person in managing building and equipment maintenance. This includes liaising with appropriate supporting departments, such as facilities management services and IT.
• Organizes and maintains departmental calendars and relevant databases.
• Compose and produce a variety of business correspondence, reports, confidential documents, and/or forms, and related materials. Reviews and signs as authorized.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
• A minimum of 2 years experience in a business or office setting
• Strong attention to detail to ensure office operations run smoothly
• Ability to learn and follow all USC policies around financial and operating procedures
• Promote positive relationships in communication and cooperation with all coworkers and clients
• Excellent customer service, organizational, planning, travel arrangement, and strong oral and written communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office 365 tools, such as Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Access

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
• 3 or more years of experience in a business or office administrative setting in a university environment, preferably USC
• Demonstrates expertise and computer savvy, especially with Microsoft Office Suite

Schedule and Work Location

Monday - Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm. This is a full-time, on-campus position at the University Park Campus in Los Angeles, California

Hourly range: The hourly rate range for this position is $22.01 -$24.25. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. USC offers a generous benefits package, including health insurance, a retirement account, life insurance, tuition benefits, and a wide range of discounts. The university invests hundreds of millions of dollars every year to provide these benefits, and they represent an important and substantial part of your overall compensation package. For more details on USC Benefits and Perks, visit: employees.usc.edu/benefits-perks.

Required Documents and Additional Information:

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.

Minimum Education: Associate's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Secretarial or specialized clerical, including some administrative experience.