Program Assistant, Office of Religious and Ethnic Inclusion (TItle VI)

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Program Assistant, Office of Religious and Ethnic Inclusion (TItle VI)

Job Profile Title

Staff Assistant C

Job Description Summary

The Office of Religious and Ethnic Inclusion (Title VI) seeks a proactive, collaborative, and detail-oriented Program Assistant. Interim President J. Larry Jameson announced the establishment of this Office – the first of its kind nationally – in September 2024. To learn more about the Office of Religious and Ethnic Inclusion (Title VI) visit: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/establishing-office-religious-and-ethnic-inclusion-title-vi-penn

Reporting to the co-Interim Directors of the Office and the permanent Director (when hired), the Program Assistant will provide high-level administrative and project support. To successfully accomplish this work, the Program Assistant will manage complex calendars, coordinate meeting details, and track items for action and resolution. The Program Assistant will also collaborate with colleagues across the University in a variety of roles and levels, prioritize and schedule activities, conduct research, prepare materials, and coordinate response and outreach efforts on behalf of the Office of Religious and Ethnic Inclusion (Title VI).

In addition to the responsibilities, duties, and qualifications listed below, the Program Assistant must possess an entrepreneurial and visionary spirit as the Office is established and begins serving the Penn community. Uncompromised integrity, exceptional judgement, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information will be essential traits for the Program Assistant.

Job Description

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Administrative Support

Provide support to the co-Interim Directors of the Office of Religious and Ethnic Inclusion (Title VI), including scheduling meetings, coordinating meeting materials, responding to inquiries, and tracking items for action and resolution.

Perform varied administrative support duties for the Office of Religious and Ethnic Inclusion (Title VI), including preparing and distributing agendas, cataloging action items, and coordinating the responses and outreach efforts with the co-Interim Directors as appropriate

Establish and maintain accurate and updated case management information for the Office of Religious and Ethnic Inclusion (Title VI)

Serve as a liaison with campus partners, including the Offices of the President, Provost, the Office of the Chaplain and Spiritual and Religious Life Center (SPARC), and Institutional Research as well as the Divisions of Human Resources, and Public Safety.

Program and Projects

Supports the development and delivery of new programs and strategies to support an educated, respectful, diverse community on Penn’s campus.

Coordinate with and assist colleagues to ensure events, meetings, and programs are executed seamlessly.

Monitors and facilitates the response to incoming reports and requests for information in a timely and accurate way.

Other Duties

Manages, coordinates, and contributes to other projects as designated by the co-Interim Directors

Assists with unforeseen priorities.

The successful candidate will possess:

A bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years progressively responsible related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, as well as prior experience in a support role, case management, and/or project coordination. Prior experience in higher education is preferred.

The ability to handle sensitive, confidential, and challenging situations with tact and diplomacy.

An exceptional attention to detail and sound judgement.

The ability to balance multiple tasks in a high-paced environment.

A strong work ethic, professionalism, commitment to integrity, and a strict adherence to maintaining confidentiality.

The ability to develop and cultivate trusted relationships with students, faculty, and staff with emotional intelligence

A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

A high degree of initiative and a proactive approach that anticipates the needs of others.

A proven ability to work collaboratively and professionally with all levels of an organization, preferably an academic organization

Excellent organizational and communication skills, both oral and written.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Presidents Center

Pay Range

$43,919.00 – $78,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Tuition : Take advantage of Penns exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, youll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

The University of Pennsylvanias special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penns robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the Universitys mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.