Administrative Assistant I bei 27560-Bioengineering

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:
The Administrative Assistant I in the Office of Admission at Rice University provides essential administrative and clerical support to ensure the efficient daily operations of the office. Working in a team and reporting to the Deputy Director of Administration, this role manages routine office tasks, including calendar management, data entry, correspondence, and reception duties, while assisting staff with projects and events that support student recruitment and enrollment efforts. The Administrative Assistant I serves as a first point of contact for visitors and community stakeholders, delivering professional and courteous service that reflects the university’s standards of excellence.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate for the Administrative Assistant I position is an organized, detail-oriented professional with strong communication and interpersonal skills. They bring reliability, adaptability, and a customer-service mindset to their work, ensuring a welcoming and efficient experience for students, families, and campus partners. Proficient with office technology, the ideal candidate will balance multiple responsibilities while maintaining accuracy and professionalism. They demonstrate discretion when handling sensitive information and contribute positively to a collaborative team dedicated to supporting Rice University’s admission and enrollment goals. The ability to provide excellent “front-facing” customer service, in combination with thorough project support in a timely and organized manner, is crucial to this position.

Workplace Requirements:
This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. After the onboarding probationary period, this position will typically be 2–3 days in person, with 2–3 remote days per week, excluding large event days or certain busier times of the year. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range:
$17.61 – $18.00 hourly, non-exempt.
*Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• HS diploma or equivalent
• 0–1 year of related administrative experience

Skills:

• Professional, courteous, and customer-service-oriented demeanor when interacting with students, families, staff, and visitors
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace, and willingness to learn new software systems
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines
• Discretion in handling confidential information
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team

Preferences:

• Two or more years of full-time administrative work experience, preferably in a university setting
• Familiarity with databases or CRM systems

Essential Functions:

• Serves as a first point of contact for visitors, callers, and email inquiries, delivering timely and professional customer service
• Assists with the coordination of admission events, meetings, and campus visits by preparing materials, scheduling rooms, and supporting logistics
• Provides general administrative support for the Office of Admission
• Maintains office supplies and equipment, monitoring inventory and processing orders as needed
• Supports admission staff with projects, reports, and recordkeeping to ensure efficient office operations
• Accurately enters and maintains data in university systems, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with institutional policies
• Performs other related duties as assigned to support the goals of the Office of Admission

Additional Functions:

• Assists with processing and distributing incoming and outgoing mail, packages, and admission materials
• Helps maintain office calendars, schedules, and meeting coordination for supervisors or team members
• Supports front-desk coverage, including greeting visitors and directing them to appropriate staff or resources
• Prepares standard reports or summaries using data from student information systems or spreadsheets
• Assists with onboarding tasks for new hires or student workers
• Provides support for travel arrangements and reimbursements for admission staff
• Provides backup support to other administrative staff during peak admission periods or staff absences
• Contributes to office communications by drafting or proofreading emails, letters, or other routine correspondence

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or [email protected] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.