Job no: 525153

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: Mt. Ida - Newton, UMass Amherst

Department: MA Small Business Dev Ctr

Union: USA/MTA

Categories: Administrative & Office Support

About UMass Amherst - Mount Ida Campus

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst is located in Newton, MA adjacent to the Newton-Needham Innovation District, and the tech-focused Route 128 corridor. At Mount Ida, UMass Amherst offers an array of experiential learning opportunities to its undergraduate students, as well as a growing number of graduate and professional degree programs. The campus is growing its undergraduate career development programs with expanded access to internships and co-ops in the thriving Greater Boston area.

Job Summary

Provides administrative support to the Boston Regional Office of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network located at the Mt. Ida campus in Newton. Provides support for the office's training programs and events. Supports the office in meeting its strategic, long-term goals. 

Essential Functions

• Provides administrative support for training programs, and major office-sponsored public relations and special interest events. Coordinates training schedules, resources, sponsors, workshop locations, and speakers.


• Interacts with, and assess the needs of, clients and the public; responds to questions regarding small business, MSBDC services, and other resources.


• Attends and/or provides logistical support for the Boston Regional Office at workshops and other public events.


• Designs and produces programs, press and marketing materials, and training calendars.


• Acts as liaison with other departments and organizations including the University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Management, the MSBDC state headquarters, the U.S. Small Business Administration, banks, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and the local business community as part of the Boston Regional Office's mission to assist in the establishment and growth of area small businesses.


• Serves as the primary outreach, information, and referral staff-person in collaborative efforts with cooperating agencies.


• Performs routine office activities such as answering the phone, scheduling meetings, preparing presentations or correspondence, and maintaining client files.


• Manages office expenditures and coordinates purchases with vendors. Troubleshoots administrative issues. Recommends, develops, and implements new policies and procedures.


• Provides training and troubleshoots basic computer issues. Creates databases and generates reports.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• High school diploma or equivalent.


• At least two (2) years administrative experience in an office setting.


• Strong oral and written communication skills.


• Excellent customer service skills.


• Strong computer skills including at least intermediate expertise with a Windows operating system, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, & Excel, and databases such as Microsoft Access.


• The ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects at once.


• Experience organizing events.


• Strong decision-making skills.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Intermediate fluency in Spanish.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

 Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm.


• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the University Staff Association, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University Staff Association collective bargaining agreement, therefore.

Salary Information

Grade 13

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Oct 21 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Jan 21 2025 Eastern Standard Time