Staff Assistant III - Department of Biological & Chemical Engineering

Overview

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Utah State University is seeking a highly organized, detail oriented Staff Assistant III to provide advanced administrative support to the department and to assist the Department Head in coordinating the launch of the new Chemical Engineering Program. This position plays a key role in day to day departmental operations as well as in high visibility program building activities such as student recruitment, faculty candidate visits, public outreach, and program advertising, with an anticipated start date of November 2, 2026.

The ideal candidate is proactive, professional, and capable of managing multiple projects in a fast paced academic environment. This position reports directly to the Department Head and may provide guidance to student or hourly employees.

Formal evaluation of the applications will begin on October 9, 2026, and the search will continue until the position is filled.

Further inquiries should be made to:

Dr. Jixun Zhan

Department Head

Email: jixun.zhan@usu.edu

Responsibilities

Administrative & Office Support

• Provide administrative support for the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering.
• Perform advanced office duties including answering phones, routing inquiries, preparing correspondence, data entry, filing, and document management.
• Manage departmental calendars, schedule meetings, coordinate conferences, and support event logistics.
• Greet and assist visitors, students, collaborators, and prospective students.
• Sort and distribute incoming mail; prepare outgoing mail and shipments.
• Maintain inventory of office supplies, process orders, and coordinate with university purchasing systems (e.g., EZ Buy, P Card workflows).
• Assist with the management of departmental teaching labs.
• Assist with updating website content and maintaining organized digital information.

Chemical Engineering Program Coordination

• Assist the Department Head in coordinating activities related to launching and sustaining the new Chemical Engineering program.
• Help plan and implement student recruitment efforts, including outreach communications, recruitment events, campus visits, and targeted promotional campaigns.
• Support faculty search processes, including scheduling interviews, preparing candidate itineraries, coordinating travel arrangements, and assisting with on campus interview logistics.
• Collaborate with the marketing teams of the College of Engineering and the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering to support program advertising, including developing promotional materials, updating website content, and coordinating social media efforts.
• Track program milestones, documentation, and communication related to curriculum development, assessment, and accreditation readiness.
• Serve as a point of contact for prospective students, campus partners, and community stakeholders interested in the Chemical Engineering program.

Departmental Operations & Program Support

• Provide high level administrative support for departmental programs, training initiatives, and department sponsored events.
• Assist faculty and students with departmental procedures, forms, and non recurring requests.
• Help maintain departmental records, including student and program data, meeting minutes, and internal reports.
• Coordinate facilities requests and serve as a liaison with university units on operational matters.
• Conduct background research, compile data, and prepare materials for departmental committees or executive review.
• Support departmental communications, including newsletters, announcements, and reports.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Department Head.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of relevant administrative experience; OR an associate degree plus two (2) years of experience; OR a bachelor’s degree.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and set priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with computers and office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, academic departments, or program coordination.
• Familiarity with university administrative systems (e.g., ServiceNow, Banner, EZ Buy, P card workflows).
• Experience supporting recruitment, event coordination, marketing, or public outreach.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, 

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

College/Department Highlights

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering is home to innovative research and academic programs at the interface of biology, engineering, and technology. The department currently enrolls approximately 160 undergraduates, 40 graduate students (M.S. and Ph.D.), and has 22 faculty members dedicated to advancing research and education. As the department expands to launch a new Chemical Engineering program, we seek a professional who wants to contribute to a dynamic, student focused academic environment.

For additional information on the department, please consult:www.be.usu.edu

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.

*updated 10/26

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Matthew Pinner

Executive Director

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

matthew.pinner@usu.edu

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

Cody Carmichael

Title IX Coordinator

cody.carmichael@usu.edu

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  OCR@ed.gov

*updated 10/2025