Human Resources

Summary

The Advanced Power Systems Research Center requires a Department Coordinator to work independently with a focus on administrative and business operations. The ideal candidate will provide comprehensive professional support to center staff.

The mission of the Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APSRC) is to promote and facilitate education and research in critical technologies for the development of clean, efficient, and sustainable power and powertrain systems. The APSRC is a multidisciplinary organization that fosters large, collaborative, research efforts in the areas of clean, efficient, and sustainable Power Systems technologies. This Center develops fundamental and applied knowledge that is required for the next generation of low-emission, high-efficiency vehicles and power generation systems.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan. With more than $300 million in total revenues, $100 million in total research expenditures, and 18 research centers and institutes, Michigan Tech (MTU) fosters a world-class and diverse faculty, staff, and student population and is home to more than 7,200 students from 69 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, MTU offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. Our rural campus is situated on the Keweenaw peninsula just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. We are Michigan’s flagship technological university, grounded in and fueled by our shared vision: to prepare students to create the future.

Responsibilities 

• Supports the daily operations of the administrative functions of the center; work independently to manage workflow and assigned tasks; and work with leadership to identify and pursue ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness of department reporting and project delivery.
• Assist with the financial management of center and project indexes.
• Lead departmental payroll including department time entry, oversee preparation of EPAFs, oversee reallocations, and overrides. Support coordination with university Payroll, Accounting Services, and Sponsored Programs offices.
• Coordinate processing of fund transfers among departmental general fund.
• Manage and create workflow for temporary staff appointment/reappointment and student hires.
• Utilize specific computing systems including BANNER, WebFocus, Perceptive Content, and ASPIRE to track, access, or report department financial and administrative data.
• With department leadership, identify and prepare routine and ad hoc reports that assist in the operation and reporting needs of the department.
• Analyze information and independently resolve administrative problems; resolve and prepare routing and ad hoc reports that assist in the operation and reporting needs of the center.
• Lead the planning and execution of all internal department functions including retreats, receptions, and social gatherings. Support the planning and execution of external center functions and tours. 
• Work with key center personnel to effectively implement process improvements to operational procedures.
• Serve as the network liaison with peer administrative staff in other departments towards maintaining a productive support network and identification of best practices and continuous improvement strategies.
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent field or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.
• Minimum of one year of administrative experience within a complex environment.
• Relevant administrative experience organizing and coordinating multiple tasks and activities related to payroll, employee processing, accounting, and reporting.
• Proficiency using a computer and advanced features of standard office software, such as the MSOffice and Adobe suites, and web-based productivity resources, such as Google Apps.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Experience working in a research focused environment or other complex organization.
• Experience working in an environment which executes government grants and contracts and industrial contracts.
• Experience creating, planning, and executing events.
• Experience using BANNER, Webfocus, Perceptive Content, and ASPIRE.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, plan ahead, and take initiative to solve problems.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet deadlines.
• Able to analyze and create solutions and procedures for recurring problems.
• Exhibit organizational efficiency with the ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated desire to continue learning new and applicable software applications.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including listening to others with an open mind and considering their ideas and giving credit where it is due.
• Goal oriented with a strong desire for a challenge.
• Recognizes and moves on an opportunity.
• High standard of accountability for self and others.
• Breadth and depth of knowledge acquired through experience and education.
• Ability to generalize and translate prior experience and obtain new knowledge and skills when needed
• Demonstrated creativity.
• High degree of self-awareness and self-regulation while being able to balance motivation with empathy and social skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of people.
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Rate/Salary

Negotiable Based on Experience

Title of Position Supervisor

Director, Business Operations, APSRC

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding