Working/Functional Title
Farmworker Student Services Office Asst
Position Summary
This position provides administrative and operational support to the Director of Farmworker Student Services (FSS) and supports the unit’s daily operational needs. Under the guidance of the Fiscal Officer, this position will assist with processing fiscal transactions, support operational activities, and serve as a primary point of contact for students, families, staff, visitors, campus partners, and community stakeholders.
This position requires a strong commitment to customer service, student success, and educational access. The Office Assistant works closely with students from diverse backgrounds, including farmworkers, migrants, first-generation students, and other historically underserved populations, helping connect them with resources and services that support their educational goals.
Responsibilities
This position gathers data and information from a variety of sources and conducts research as needed to support students, staff, and the public. The position works with external agencies and university departments to exchange information, coordinate services, and secure resources that support the mission of FSS.
Responsibilities include:
- Serving as a welcoming first point of contact for students, families, visitors, and community partners.
- Supporting student engagement activities, workshops, programs, and events.
- Coordinating meetings, travel arrangements, and administrative processes for FSS staff and student employees.
- Maintaining organized records and preparing correspondence, reports, agreements, and other documentation.
- Monitoring office resources, supplies, equipment, and operational needs.
- Collaborating with university departments, community organizations, vendors, and external agencies to support student success initiatives.
- Applying established university and departmental policies and procedures in completing assigned responsibilities.
- Supporting student organizations and promoting FSS programs and services.
- Providing administrative and operational support to facilitate the work of the unit.
- Preparing pre-travel authorizations, including collecting account information, travel dates, locations, expense estimates, purposes of travel, and authorizing signatures.
- Making travel arrangements and processing conference registrations.
- Preparing travel expense reports and submitting requisitions and disbursement vouchers in EBS.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Knowledge normally acquired through a high school education
- Three to five years of related and progressively responsible work experience in office administration, customer service, accounting support, fiscal operations, or administrative coordination; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience working with farmworker migrant education programs and culturally diverse student populations, with an understanding of the unique educational, social, and economic barriers to success.
- Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships, provide direct support, and assist with program coordination for underrepresented students and families from diverse backgrounds while maintaining a welcoming and culturally responsive environment.
- Experience supporting community outreach, student engagement activities, or educational programs.
- Experience supporting student success, community engagement, college access initiatives, student support services, or similar programs that address barriers to educational attainment and help resolve time-sensitive issues from families and students by utilizing campus resources.
- Experience supervising, training, mentoring, or supporting student employees.
- Experience and familiarity with Michigan State University policies, procedures, and administrative systems.
- Experience supporting administrators and working within a higher education or student services environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, and related collaborative technologies.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
- Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as a member of a collaborative team.
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, student success, and educational equity.
- Valid driver's license
Desired Qualifications
- Knowledge normally acquired through a bachelor's degree.
- Bilingual proficiency in Spanish, with the ability to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking students, families, and community partners.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Application Materials
A complete application packet will contain a resume or CV, cover letter and contact information for three professional references.
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Website
farmworker.msu.edu
Bidding eligibility ends October 6, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.