How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
The University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology (UMMP) in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts is seeking a motivated, enthusiastic, and skilled administrator for the role of Operations Administrator. This position is the key touchpoint for the museum's daily operations, including the unit's financial, HR, and general office management. A successful candidate will have a strong orientation toward establishing effective workflows, proactively planning, and navigating complex problems. They should foster a dynamic and welcoming environment.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Who We Are
The U-M Museum of Paleontology (UMMP) is a research museum dedicated to the study of paleontology. We take an interdisciplinary approach to research in our collections, facilities, and
across the globe. UMMP facilities and personnel are distributed between multiple buildings. Our core asset is a collection of over 4 million objects used primarily for research; our collections are not open to the public. However, many UMMP specimens are on display at the U-M Museum of Natural History, which is free and open to the public. The popular Fossil Prep Lab in the U-M Museum of Natural History is an active UMMP lab. Our faculty and students work in this space preparing fossil specimens for our collections. Our unit works closely with the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Who You Are
You are a skilled and energetic individual interested in honing your existing skills in administration and operations in an environment that requires independence and creative problem-solving. You can focus on details without losing the big picture. You regularly demonstrate initiative and quickly adapt to evolving situations. You enjoy establishing processes and procedures that share information and create transparency.
Responsibilities*
The Operations Administrator role consists of five domains: financial management, curatorial affairs, HR, unit operations, and events/communications management. Responsibilities and tasks in these areas include:
- Financial management:
- Budgeting, reporting, forecasting, advising, and providing strategic guidance on financial matters to the Museum Director and Chief Administrator
- Maintaining financial materials for reference by others with an administrative need for access
- Assessing financial reports for accuracy and completeness, flagging and resolving discrepancies
- Curatorial affairs:
- Managing unit-level financial, human, and other resources to support the research and work of individual curators, collection managers, other technical staff, and graduate students/postdocs
- Engaging with LSA Finance to define curatorial project needs, discuss available resources, and understand potential restrictions
- Leading the administrative processes for curatorial searches, offers, and hires
- HR:
- Guiding basic HR processes (e.g., how to hire a temporary student employee)
- Coordinating with administrative homes for affiliated students (primarily EARTH and EEB)
- Ensure the unit understands and implements UM and LSA employment internal controls
- Unit Operations:
- Determining appropriate building key-card access for users; auditing access list regularly to add and remove users as needed
- Assigning physical keys to users as appropriate, ensuring the return of keys
- Administering the general needs of the unit's physical space and in-person operations, including engaging the IT team, auditing/ordering equipment and supplies
- Events/Communications Management:
- Creating forms, workflows
- Uploading, curating, and archiving materials in the relevant Google Drive
- Planning, advertising, and executing events, including talks by external speakers
- Assigning work and managing all aspects of producing the museum's newsletter
- Managing normal and ad hoc projects (annual gift solicitation, student awards)
- Supervising the unit's communications coordinator
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
- At least one year of directly relevant experience in financial management, operations management, administration, or a related field; at least two years of directly relevant experience is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
- Enthusiasm for working on behalf of paleontological research and education, including desire/experience working in outreach, social media, etc.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
- Proficiency in office productivity software like Microsoft Office, Google Suite, etc.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and handle confidential information appropriately
Desired Qualifications*
- Knowledge of and experience using University of Michigan software and systems
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit https://lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.