Description
The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) owns and operates the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The Science Support Associate plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive administrative support to the Science Department and related organizations, committees, events and programs. In addition, the Science Support Associate assists in various tasks, including collection and verification of data, document maintenance, meeting organization and supporting communication efforts. This role requires the use of various types of software to compile and generate reports, spreadsheets, and statistics. It also requires meticulous attention to detail, excellent organizational skills and the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders within and outside the organization.
Line of Authority
The Science Support Associate reports directly to the Director of Science.
Functional Responsibilities (include but are not limited to)
Department, User and Advisory Committee Support
- Facilitates collection of user information and ensures data consistency and accuracy.
- Provides assistance and guidance to users, including distribution and development of onboarding materials as well as identifying and coordinating required steps.
- Assists with user registration, surveys, and User Association elections.
- Supports various meetings, including announcements, scheduling, transcribing notes and posting minutes.
- Edits documents and initiates reviews and processing for updates and approvals.
- Assists external advisory committee members with travel and expense documentation.
Information Management and Reporting
- Maintains user data and statistics tracked in various electronic tools.
- Collects and organizes documentation associated with potential and existing experiments as well as community initiatives such as requests for letters of interest or calls for proposals.
- Reviews documents and database information to compile reports as well as ensures consistency and accuracy.
- Maintains science-related documentation and content on the SURF public website and assists with social media messaging in conjunction with Communications.
Science Event Support
- Assists with administrative and logistics support, including meeting room technology, for conferences, workshops, and experiment meetings.
- Processes standard forms for travel ensuring completion and accuracy; processes expense reports, as requested.
- Develops and maintains event websites.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by reporting supervisor.
Accountabilities
The Science Support Associate has the following accountabilities:
- To the Science Director, ensuring they are provided with project, event and administrative support services, and other requested tasks as appropriate.
Authorities
The Science Support Associate has the following authorities:
- To staff, visitors and users ensuring they are provided with administrative support services, such as clerical support, document review, data entry and other requested tasks as appropriate.
Requirements
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience.
Experience
- Requires 4 to 6 years of experience.
- Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in data management tools and Microsoft Office suite.
- Experience with SharePoint, Ninety.io, and other tracking tools is desirable.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.
- Familiarity with social media platforms.
Certifications
Competencies
- Attention to Detail—Pays careful attention to details and completes tasks in an accurate, complete and timely manner.
- Communication—Communicates information clearly and concisely in writing, in person and on the telephone, exercising tact, patience, friendliness, discretion and professionalism.
- Cooperation—Establishes and maintains effective and cooperative working relationships, interacting in a supportive manner with staff, users and visitors.
- Customer Service—Interacts courteously with SDSTA staff and SURF partners and addresses their needs in a pleasant and efficient manner.
- Initiative—Ability to persist despite difficult conditions and to make suggestions for improvements.
- Integrity—Ability to appropriately process and protect sensitive information.
- Organization—Plans ahead and works in a systematic, organized way.
- Safety—Ability to learn, understand and comply with the SDSTA’s safety program.
Working Requirements
- Act in accordance with SDSTA’s core values: Safety Focused, Care for Others, Professionalism and Being a Team Player.
- Perform work in a typical office environment with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Perform work in the SURF underground environment at depths up to 5000 feet.
- Perform limited physical labor and light lifting including walking up and down flights of stairs.
Summary of Benefits: https://sanfordlab.org/summary-benefits
The South Dakota Science & Technology Authority (SDSTA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to the development of a diverse workforce. Applicants are invited to self-identify as an individual with a disability or as a protected veteran. Forms are available on the website www.sanfordlab.org/careers or upon request from Human Resources.