Position Title:Administrative Assistant III
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:High school diploma or equivalent and 5 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications:Bachelor's degree
Experience in executive-level administrative support
Experience providing administrative support and customer service to multiple stakeholders in an office environment
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and calendar management tools
Experience with Workday
Job Description:
The Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences seeks an Administrative Assistant III to support the Associate Dean for Facilities and Operations and the Associate Dean for Research and Discovery. The position will provide administrative support to the ISU Research Farms (and its affiliate organizations), and the Office of Research and Discovery, and to both Associate Deans leading each office.
ISU Research Farms are an extensive statewide unit with 14 remote staffed locations including numerous agricultural buildings, residences and ~45 full-time and 25-40 part-time staff. The CALS Office for Research and Discovery manages Research and Discovery efforts and activities in the college, including pre-award services, agricultural experiment station, teambuilding, and the overall research and discovery enterprise for the college.
The Administrative Assistant will coordinate business operations to enhance the operations and service of the ISU Research Farms and Office for Research and Discovery. This position will provide support to administrative teams and serve as the first point of contact for staff located on and off campus.
We are seeking a proactive and highly organized Administrative Assistant to provide critical support to two associate deans. This role requires a masterful multitasker who thrives in fast-paced environments and can handle confidential matters with discretion and diplomacy.
Key Responsibilities:
Manage complex calendars, schedule meetings, and coordinate appointments across multiple time zones
Arrange detailed travel itineraries, including flights, accommodations, and ground transportation
Prepare high-level communications including emails, reports, memos, and presentations
Serve as a liaison between executives and internal/external stakeholders
Attend meetings to take minutes and ensure follow-up on action items
Organize company events, board meetings, and executive off-sites
Process expense reports and assist with budget tracking
Maintain filing systems and office procedures to ensure operational efficiency
Exercise sound judgment while handling sensitive information and prioritizing tasks
In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the success of both the ISU Research Farms and the Office for Research and Discovery. You will work closely with senior leaders, faculty, staff, and industry partners, giving you a unique vantage point and strong professional connections on and off campus. You will play an essential role in helping two associate deans maximize their effectiveness, ensuring operations run smoothly, and contributing to improvements that strengthen research and discovery in agriculture and life sciences. If you are someone who enjoys being connected, values variety in your work, and wants to know that your efforts are directly influencing the success of an institution, this is a highly rewarding position where you can truly make a difference!
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Level Guidelines- Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU's mission and department or work unit goals- Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude- Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action- Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices- Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff.- May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)- May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist- Provides guidance to students
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS807
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:- Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans- Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans- Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)- Life insurance and long-term disability- Flexible Spending Accounts- Various voluntary benefits and discounts- Employee Assistance Program- Wellbeing program
Original Posting Date: August 26, 2025
Posting Close Date:September 2, 2025
Job Requisition Number:R17658
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
