Department

Harris School Operations

About the Department

Why policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking, fearlessly questioning the status quo. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact. With passion and precision, we figure out what’s best for society—and get it done. This is Harris Public Policy: Social impact, down to a science.

Job Summary

The Program Assistant of the Public Policy Undergraduate Program is a point person in the major to support operations of the program and PBPL students, faculty, and staff. The position reports to the Executive Program Director, Undergraduate Studies.

Responsibilities

• Provides academic advising support to students in the program.
• Coordinates room reservations, catering orders, and other logistics for office-sponsored programs and events, including Open Houses and End of Year Celebration.
• Staffs and supervises events as requested by the Executive Program Director.
• Purchases office and event supplies, coordinates supplies for Instructional Assistants and instructional materials.
• Processes and tracks departmental expenses, invoices, checks, and reimbursements across multiple accounts, maintains budget spreadsheet, and researches budget issues.
• Supports the Executive Program Director and Faculty in communication efforts to students.
• Maintains the website for the Public Policy major and assists with catalog updates.
• Monitors and manages the Public Policy email inbox.
• Places student book orders and requests instructor desk copies.
• Maintains the Public Policy major listserv.
• Serves as day-to-day support staff for the Student Advisory Board and the Mentorship Program.
• Coordinates with the students and staff to develop activities, programs, and initiatives related to student life, and/or community involvement. Develops and implements straightforward programming.
• Maintains alumni records and manages communication and outreach to alumni.
• Manages communication and marketing efforts for the major in collaboration with the Executive Program Director, including the weekly newsletter and cohort canvas sites.
• Completes special projects, initiatives, and other duties as directed by the Executive Program Director and Faculty.
• Uses general understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
• Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Analyzes program budgets and uses a moderate/high level of authority to recommend or makes budgetary recommendations.
• Interacts with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Background in higher education settings is strongly preferred.
• Academic advising experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Identify priorities and manage conflicting priorities.
• Learning and working with multiple databases and changing software.
• Exceptional troubleshooting skills with a resourceful, can-do approach.
• Outstanding verbal and written communications skills.
• Deep commitment to customer service, strong interpersonal skills, and engage with diverse populations.
• Handle confidential information with absolute discretion.
• Exercise good judgment under pressure and maintain a sense of perspective under stressful circumstances.

Working Conditions

• This position is available for partially remote work based on the Harris School policies.
• Varying weekend and/or extended weekday hours during exams, commencement, and other high volume departmental or school activities.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

​
FLSA Status

Exempt

​
Pay Range

$55,000.00 - $60,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.