Administrative Assistant I - 528012

Pay Grade / Pay Range : Minimum : $16.63 - Midpoint : $19.95 (Hourly N3)

Department / Organization : 750501 - Alabama Water Institute (AWI)

Normal Work Schedule : Monday - Friday 8 : 00am to 5 : 00pm

Job Summary : The Administrative Assistant I provides administrative support for the operations of unit. Performs routine and well documented administrative tasks. Acts as office liaison / receptionist. Receives and routes phone calls, emails, and / or guests. Maintains files and enters data. Operates standard office equipment such as personal computers, copiers, fax machines, etc.

Additional Department Summary : Provides essential administrative and logistical support to the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), hosted by the Institute. Under limited supervision, this position will assist with day-to-day operations, including management of a central contact database, support to coordination of recurring meetings and events, and recruitment of students, faculty fellows, and postdoctoral researchers. Oversee visitor support and logistical coordination for both in-person and virtual meetings, including managing Zoom setups, booking rooms, organizing catering, and handling recording and notetaking when necessary. Offer administrative support to the Communications, Education and Engagement, and Project Coordination teams, ensuring consistent operations across all areas of the research program. Manage email distribution lists, processing internal communications, and support to event logistics.

This position is supported by ongoing research projects and continuation will depend on future external funding. The Alabama Water Institute focuses on water research and sustainability, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration to address pressing water-related challenges.

Required Minimum Qualifications : High school diploma or GED or higher.

Skills and Knowledge : Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and virtual meeting platforms (Zoom, etc). Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to multi-task, manage fine details, and meet tight deadlines in a high-activity research environment. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Preferred Qualifications : Prefer High school diploma OR GED and five (5) years of experience; OR Bachelor’s degree.

Experience in research project coordination or administrative support in a higher education setting. Familiarity with CRM systems or database management.

Background Investigation Statement : Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity : The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment / Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights : Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.