Human Resources

Office Assistant

Apply now Job No: 26108
Department: Van Pelt and Opie Library
Work Type: Union
Location: Main Campus (Houghton, MI)
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time
Categories: Administrative/Business/Professional
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Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

Summary

Michigan Technological University is seeking an Office Assistant for our Van Pelt and Opie Library. This position supports the Circulation Desk with excellent customer service, patron support, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. This position staffs our Circulation Desk and assists in performing daily/weekly Circulation tasks.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Staff the Circulation Desk, in rotation with other staff members; responsible for weekend library building opening and closing
2. Effectively and reliably work, under limited supervision to assist patrons with Circulation services
3. Respond accurately and confidently to a variety of questions about library services, policies and procedures, or refer questions or needs to other library staff, IT staff, and others as appropriate
4. Assist patrons with a variety of technology and equipment, including basic troubleshooting and explanation of printers, scanners, and workstations
5. Maintain security of confidential patron information
6. Perform daily Circulation tasks such as mail sorting, cash counting, building walkthroughs, and stacks maintenance
7. Functional supervision may be exercised over student assistants; serves as a member of the team that develops student assistant assignments and provides coaching and models service that adheres to the library's customer service standards
8. Participates in the maintenance and upkeep of library social media accounts
9. Assists with special projects such as library displays, inventory, and collections support
10. Serves as backup to the testing center
11. Participate in the library's commitment to continuous service quality improvement; strongly encouraged to bring to the attention of the Manager improvements in service or materials based on patron interactions
12. Integrate safety practices into daily activities
13. Other duties as assigned
14. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
15. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• High school diploma, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.

Required Experience

• Two years of office/clerical experience
• Two years of customer service experience
• Two years experience using a computer workstation with basic software including word processing and spreadsheet applications
• Ability to compose correspondence (e.g., e-mail messages) using correct spelling and grammar.
• Experience working in a busy, fast-paced environment

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Previous library work experience
• Some higher education
• Supervisory experience
• Experience and interest in managing organizational social media accounts

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Exemplary attendance and dependability are essential
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with experience working with diverse populations
• Experience working effectively and with patience while encountering frequent interruptions
• Demonstrated knowledge of proper grammar, spelling and punctuation
• Ability to work and contribute both independently and as an integral part of a service team

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrable willingness to master new software, systems, technology and skills to assist others in their use
• Demonstrable experience with software such as Microsoft Office programs and/or the Google suite (calendar, e-mail, etc.)
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

 Typical Academic Year Schedule (with 1 hour lunch):
Tuesday - Friday: 12:00pm-6:30pm; Saturday: 8:30am - 5:30pm

Typical Summer Schedule (with 1 hour lunch): Tuesday-Friday: 10:30am-5:30pm; Saturday: 9:30am-4:30pm

Hours are subject to change depending on the library hours, which vary between fall, spring, and summer semesters, academic breaks, and departmental needs.

• While performing the duties of this position, this member of the team is required to use a computer workstation (and its software applications through a keyboard/mouse), telephone and a variety of equipment including scanners, photocopiers and others. They may elect to stand or sit (or a combination) but these activities constitute the majority of the work of this position during the workday.


• Frequent interruptions -- questions, phone calls and electronic communications -- are common and this team member must be able to return to assigned work when the interruptions conclude.
• The noise level of the individual workspace is moderate; the noise level at the Circulation Desk can be high.
• Ability to push book trucks (30 lbs.) or lift 25 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to tolerate dust.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following training courses:

● Employee Safety Overview
● Annual Data Security Training
● Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
● Annual Title IX Training

The candidate will be required to complete training to proctor exams administered by Pearson and ETS. As a condition of employment, put forth by Pearson and ETS, the candidate will be ineligible to take any exams sponsored by these entities for the duration of their employment and for a waiting period of up to 1 year after their employment is complete.

Additional training will be required by the department on a periodic basis.

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.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

.75

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Shift

-

Pay Rate/Salary

Contractual. External candidates will receive the minimum amount $16.88hr

Title of Position Supervisor

Manager of Circulation Services

Posting Type

 Internal & External

Dependent on Funding

 No

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

UAW Posting - 07/09/2026 - 07/15/2026
External Applicants are encouraged to apply, however internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.


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.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)

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