The University of Chicago

Department

PSD Chemistry: Administrative Staff

About the Department

One of the first departments founded at the University of Chicago was the Department of Chemistry. Since its inception, the Department of Chemistry has embodied the University's central mission of excellence in both research and teaching. The University of Chicago has been the recipient of more than 73 Nobel Prize recipients, 15 of which came from the Department of Chemistry. Our current faculty has considerable strength in inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as in interdisciplinary research that delves into biology, physics, and materials science.

The Department is a community of over 500, including faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars and staff. Our academic support group operates the graduate and undergraduate educational programs for the department, including 60 undergraduate Chemistry majors and nearly 300 graduate students. Close student-faculty interactions have been a hallmark of our department for over a century. These have fostered a unique intellectual environment that both ensures superb graduate education and continues to produce important and exciting scientific discoveries.

Job Summary

The Undergraduate Program Administrator supports achievement of Chemistry’s scientific and educational goals by providing operational support, project management and program planning in service to faculty, students, and staff. The Undergraduate Program Administrator provides operational support with special focus on the administration of the undergraduate program as well as serving as the principal coordinator for departmental seminar programs and events. The role requires the effective project management skills. The position serves under the guidance of the Teaching Matters Committee chair, the Associate Director of Academic Operations and the direct supervision of the department manager.

Responsibilities

• Manages the administration of chemistry’s undergraduate programs, under the direction of the Teaching Matters Committee chair and the Associate Director of Academic Operations.
• Collects data and does statistical reports including on placement exams, student performance, ACS reports, institutional reporting, and others as needed. Drafts award letters and other formal communication on behalf of the faculty.
• Supports quality check, annual updates and regular maintenance of the College Catalog and enters changes into Courseleaf.
• Assists the Associate Director of Academic Operations, on ensuring the quarterly College time schedules and other issues are managed in collaboration with the Registrar's Office.
• Manages the department’s undergraduate student record keeping, including but not limited to, grade reports (Box), incomplete files, and undergraduate research assignments.
• Organizes TA assignments for undergraduate classes in collaboration with the DUS and SSA.
• Manages student travel award process, ensuring that there is appropriate communication and follow up on reimbursements when needed.
• Maintains class lists and maintains active and archives online files for quarterly syllabi.
• Ensures that all electronic distribution lists (listservs) and laboratory assignment listings are maintained and updated.
• Administers undergraduate/high-school fellowships and programs, including summer research fellowships, Beckman Scholars program, Benzene, and related programs.
• Provides planning and support for academic operational processes and programs including, but not limited to, quarterly undergraduate meetings, Spring convocation reception, Honor’s Thesis process, department award events, and student recruiting.
• Serves as principal manager of departmental seminars, conferences, workshops and events across all areas of the chemistry department.
• Works with the department’s seminar committee to manage the seminar calendar and publicize events through a variety of methods.
• Organizes logistics and itinerary for speakers and special guests, including but not limited to delivering invitations, and arranging accommodations, travel, reimbursements. Represents the department as a point of contact with external speakers and guests.
• Manages facility scheduling for all seminar-related events and ensures all room requirements are satisfied, including but not limited to, ensuring audio-visual equipment supports issue-free presentations.
• Serves as the department’s principal facility scheduler in collaboration with the Registrar’s office, department administration and building managers, to secure space reservations for classes and department programs/events.
• Serves as a resource to organize logistics for special events (e.g. space reservation, communications, vendor management, catering orders, set-up, and clean-up).
• Responsible for processing and tracking financial transactions such as GEMS expense reports, reimbursements and paying departmental invoices to vendors using standard university financial management systems.
• Responsible for office management to include ordering and troubleshooting office equipment and maintaining office supplies.
• Collaborates with internal and external professionals to create new programs and enhance existing ones. Assists with evaluating the program curriculum, policies, and procedures.
• Assists with planning and implementing program marketing activities, including the development of publications and Web site.
• Gathers and analyzes data concerning program performance, and writes reports. Monitors program budgets.
• May review work of and serve as a resource to program support staff and program instructors.
• 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a science or business discipline.

Experience:

• Experience in a STEM related field or area.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Considerable knowledge of standard office practices and procedures.
• Computer and technical proficiency.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to interact with Staff, Faculty and Students with tact and courtesy.
• Able to categorize and prioritize work activities.
• Basic finance management.
• Able to develop and implement solutions to varied problems.
• Complete numerous activities in a multi-task environment.
• Effectively communicate in both written and verbal format.
• Able to use a personal computer and standard software packages.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• References (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Academic Affairs

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

$62,000.00 - $72,000.00

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.

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