General Summary: 

The Merit Scholarship Assistant will assist in the day-to-day operations of the Merit Scholarship Office. The incumbent will be responsible for serving as the first point of contact for the office and responding to inquiries, as well as providing routine administrative support to the office; keying in scholarship awards; and acting as a reviewer for scholarship applications. The incumbent will be expected to meet with both current and prospective students in person, by phone and through email correspondence; and is expected to handle sensitive and confidential materials.

Examples of Duties: 

• Serve as first point of contact for the Merit Scholarship Office; greet and direct visitors; receive and direct phone and e-mail inquiries and when necessary, field inquiries to appropriate staff person; prepare routine correspondence; and update departmental/work unit forms, when appropriate;
• Provide routine information to and coordinate efforts with staff, and other internal and external departments, agencies and/or customers to exchange information, resolve problems and/or facilitate progress of unit programs, functions and activities;
• Serve as an Administrator and point of contact for the university scholarship application system.
• Maintain electronic records, files and/or unit materials in accordance with Division of Enrollment Management, as well as university policies and procedures; gather, update and enter information into respective departmental and/or university databases to retain current, accurate, organized and accessible records, to keep supervisor and departmental staff abreast of departmental functions and to adhere to university policies and procedures; review and/or retrieve information from files, when necessary;
• Meet with both current and prospective students through in-person meetings, by phone and through e-mail correspondence to field questions about scholarship criteria, as well as to assist with recruitment and yield outreach to prospective scholarships students; provide guidance to students on academic probation with regards to their scholarships;
• Collect applications for various scholarship opportunities and ensure that all applications are complete; read and make recommendations on scholarship applications, working with the Director of Merit Scholarship and/or as part of a scholarship committee to find the most qualified candidates;
• Coordinate a group of scholarship programs, from initial publicity and advertising to setting up committees, to awarding and notifying students of the results of the scholarship search;
• Present occasionally to student groups, classes or by tabling at events to promote scholarship opportunities;
• Assist with coordinating events, including the annual scholarship dinner and scholarship breakfast; reserve location, order food, collect RSVP’s and work with various university offices to ensure the events run smoothly;
• Assist with updating and keeping the Office of Merit Based Scholarship website content management system;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• At least three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in office management, office administration, business administration or business management is required.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures including office record keeping, office correspondence control, the types and uses of office equipment and supplies and business letter preparation;
• Knowledge of software applications, including office software and database management;
• Knowledge of the types and applications of standard office filing systems;
• Ability to operate general office machines and equipment;
• Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing assigned unit activities;
• Ability to write concisely, express thoughts clearly and develop ideas in a logical sequence;
• Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures and determine the proper format and procedures for assembling items of information;
• Ability to follow guidelines and procedures, as well as written and oral instructions;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Ability to give written and oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner;
• Ability to maintain accurate records;
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others and to deal tactfully with others;
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment;
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize;
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills;
• Strong customer service.

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional work references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Grade: 17 

This is a non-exempt union position. 

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the ADA/504 Coordinator Andrea Haas  or 617-287-5148.