Senior Administrative Assistant, Department of Agriculture

Department

Agriculture

Job Posting Title

Senior Administrative Assistant, Department of Agriculture

Job Description

The Senior Administrative Assistant serves as the operational and administrative cornerstone of the Department of Agriculture. This position provides advanced administrative, budgetary, and communications support to faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong organizational skills, independent judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic academic environment.

This role oversees daily office operations, supports departmental financial processes, supervises student employees, assists with recruitment and outreach initiatives, and serves as the primary point of contact for the department.

PERKS:

• Benefits package with Heath, Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Accrue 6.77 hours vacation and 3.7 hours sick leave per pay period

• earn up to 272 hours of paid leave per year, (176 vacation, 96 sick leave)

• Retirement

• KBOR 403(b) Mandatory 5.5% employee contributions, 8.5% employer contributions

• If you have contributed to a retirement for a minimum of 1 year within the past 5 years at a KPERS employer, state employer or institution of higher education, you may be eligible for immediate participation.

• State paid holidays

• New Year's Day, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving & Christmas

• Tuition Assistance - day one eligibility for the employee, their spouse, and dependents

• Employees are eligible for up to 6 credit hours per semester.

Benefits: To review our competitive benefit package, please visit FHSU Benefits.

Wage: $15.03 per hour, plus benefits

Priority Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Minimum Requirements: High-school diploma or GED equivalency.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience working in a higher education setting
• Familiarity with budgets, financial records, or departmental accounts
• Experience using systems such as Workday or other ERP platforms
• Supervisory Experience
• Experience with social media management or webpage updates
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

Key Responsibilities

Office & Department Support

• Help coordinate day-to-day office operations, including front office, phone, and email communications
• Serve as a welcoming point of contact for students, faculty, and visitors
• Maintain organized digital and physical records to support departmental needs
• Assist with maintaining university and state policy compliance

Budget & Administrative Coordination

• Support departmental budget tracking and maintain financial records
• Assist with monthly reconciliations and reporting documentation
• Coordinate purchasing, travel requests, and reimbursement paperwork
• Help ensure accurate and timely administrative processes

Student & Faculty Support

• Provide guidance, scheduling support, and training for student employees
• Assist faculty with administrative support related to courses, advising, and events
• Help coordinate travel, scheduling, and logistics for student organizations and the rodeo team

Recruitment & Communications

• Welcome and schedule visits for prospective students and families
• Assist with recruitment activities and outreach efforts
• Support departmental communications, including website and social media updates

Events & Additional Support

• Assist with departmental meetings, events, and special projects
• Contribute to a collaborative office environment and support additional responsibilities as needed

Preferred Skills & Strengths

• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks and stay organized in a dynamic environment
• Professional communication and a service-oriented approach
• Attention to detail and sound judgment with confidential information
• Flexibility, initiative, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Required Application Documents: Applicants must submit a current resume.

Application Process

To apply for this position, please visit FHSU Careers.

Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Contact Information

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Dr. Michael Woods

Chair, Department of Agriculture

785-628-4366

mdwoods3@fhsu.ed

Community of Hays

FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.

Notice of Non-discrimination: FHSU is committed to providing equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, employment, services, and activities in compliance with federal and state nondiscrimination laws. FHSU prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression), age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its programs, activities, admissions, or employment.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.