Job Details

Program Assistant

Whitworth University is a residential campus shaped by learning, curiosity, and community life. This role is based on campus and requires consistent, in-person engagement.

Position Summary

The Center for Career & Professional Development is seeking a highly organized, service-oriented Program Assistant to help create an exceptional experience for students, employers, alumni, faculty, and campus partners. If you enjoy solving problems, building relationships, coordinating events, and keeping operations running smoothly, this is an opportunity to make a daily impact in the lives of the Whitworth community. The Program Assistant supports the operations of the Center for Career & Professional Development. This position assists with the day-to-day operations of the office, supports the student employment program, supervises student employees, coordinates career events and employer visits, and facilitates the Handshake career management platform.

Core Responsibilities

Office Management | 35%

• Support the daily operations of the Center for Career & Professional Development and help create a welcoming experience for students, employers, faculty, staff, and alumni.
• Respond to inquiries and direct communications with professionalism, accuracy, and excellent customer service.
• Hire, train, and supervise student front desk and marketing employees.
• Monitor the student assistants' accurate collection and filing of student employment and internship paperwork.
• Assist with office operations, budget administration, and space reservations.
• Help troubleshoot day-to-day operational needs to ensure the office runs smoothly.

Student Employment Support | 35%

• Assist the Associate Director, Student Employment with all student employee onboarding processes, including accurate collection and processing of employment paperwork and electronic records.
• Assist students and supervisors with questions while providing timely, collaborative customer service that promotes compliance.
• Serve as student employment liaison during timely payroll processing periods, in absence of Associate Director.

Event Coordination | 15%

• Assist with planning and coordinating career events throughout the academic year.
• Coordinate event logistics, communications, and promotional materials.
• Collaborate with campus partners to support successful events.
• Provide on-site support to ensure a positive experience for students, employers, and guests.

Handshake | 10%

• Facilitate the administration of Whitworth's Handshake career platform.
• Assist with job and event postings, registrations, appointments, and system updates.
• Provide guidance to students, employers, faculty, and staff using the platform.
• Assist with career outcomes reporting and data collection efforts.

Employer Relations & Additional Responsibilities | 5%

• Coordinate employer visit logistics, including scheduling, parking, hospitality, and space reservations.
• Welcome employers to campus with professionalism and excellent customer service.
• Support additional departmental projects and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications and Core Competencies

• Whitworth considers candidates with a wide range of educational backgrounds. We value the skills and knowledge candidates bring to Whitworth, regardless of the paths they have taken to acquire them.

• Demonstrated experience in an administrative, customer service, higher education, or office support role.
• Willingness to build positive relationships with students, colleagues, and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to learn and execute systems, databases, technologies, processes, documentation, and policies.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in time allotted with little-to-no supervision.
• Experience working and collaborating with a team of coworkers.
• Possess an innate responsibility to show up to the workday ready to fulfill job duties with pride.

Preferred

• Experience working in higher education, career services, student employment, or a student facing environment.
• Experience coordinating events, scheduling, or administrative projects.
• Experience working with databases and/or information systems.
• Completion of college coursework.

Other Details

This is a 0.57 FTE, 12-month position budgeted for 1,193 hours annually. Weekly hours will vary throughout the year based on operational needs. During peak periods (August-October, January-March, and May), the schedule will typically be approximately 28 hours per week. During quieter periods, weekly hours will be reduced to maintain the annual 1,193-hour allocation. The specific work schedule will be determined in consultation with the Director of the Center for Career & Professional Development and may be adjusted as business needs change.

Whitworth University is a Christian liberal arts university. Our shared mission is to provide our diverse students with an education of mind and heart, equipping them to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity. We seek candidates who are willing to engage with the university's mission and integrate their Christian faith into their work. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, faith statement, and contact information for at least three professional references. A background check and sexual misconduct check will be required of the successful candidate.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain valid work authorization throughout the duration of employment, including those on OPT. Whitworth University does not offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Online applications are stored on a secure site. Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the information submitted. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

At Whitworth University, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our faculty, staff, and their families by offering an extensive benefits package. Eligible employees can enjoy a variety of benefits, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Employer-matched 403 (b) retirement plan
• Tuition remission programs available for employees, their spouses, and dependents
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Accrued vacation and sick leave based on full-time equivalency (FTE). All staff accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month and 10 to 20 days of vacation per year, depending on employee category.
• 2 days of Floating Holiday leave based on full-time equivalency (FTE)
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program
• Resources for Christian vocation and calling
• No cost access to the University Recreation Center (UREC) and the Megan E. Thompson Aquatic Center
• 15 paid holidays throughout the year