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Advertising Summary: The Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE) is seeking an energetic and dependable Office Assistant. The ideal candidate will provide administrative and project support to senior research staff, be professional, and successfully complete tasks on time.

Unit: L D Wilder Sch of Govt & Pub Affrs

Department: Research Institute for Social Equity, Center for Public Policy

Department Summary: Established in 2019, the mission of the Research Institute for Social Equity is to advance social equity through multidisciplinary scholarship, research, training, and engagement.

The Wilder School’s mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.

• Advance research that informs public policy and decision making to improve our communities.

• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance quality of life.

The Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 36 and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security Programs, and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,400 students and more than 12,000 alumni, with an established environment where multiple perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the communities we serve providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at wilder.vcu.edu.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Acts as the first point of contact for visitors and callers, providing attention to customer service, prompt responsiveness, and courtesy.
• Provides a broad range of administrative support for all Institute projects, staff, and consultants, including literature searches, data entry, filing, copying, writing, and data entry.
• Sort and distribute mail and office supplies.
• Answer multi-line telephones, direct calls appropriately, and transmit messages promptly and accurately.
• Proofread and assemble meeting materials, binders, and packets for programs.
• Assist with the setup, support, and breakdown of meetings and events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Proficient in Microsoft Office/Google Suite applications.
• Demonstrated independence, maturity, good judgment, and excellent customer service skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, with a keen eye for detail and professional communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with conducting literature searches.
• Prior experience working in an office/research environment.
• Proficient in utilizing various office equipment, including copiers, multiline phones, scanners, and both laptop and desktop computers.
• Advanced skills using Microsoft Office/Google Suite applications, and Zotero.

Salary Range: $14.00 an hour

Benefits: All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU. Consult the benefits website for information on benefits eligibility according to employee type.

Application Submission/Other Information:

All applications should include a cover letter and a detailed resume with the names and contact information of three professional references. 

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

As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 20

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Search Contact: Tivoli Dabney

Search Contact Email: dabneytt2@vcu.edu