Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Occupational Summary: The Staff Assistant supports the Thriving Rural Communities Initiative (TRCI) within Duke Divinity School - The Initiative works to foster thriving rural NC communities by cultivating faithful rural Christian leadership and fruitful rural United Methodist congregations. The Staff Assistant will also support a TRCI partner, the Office of Wesleyan Engagement, which offers Lifelong Learning events and other TDE funded projects that connects with Wesleyan constituents on behalf of Duke Divinity School. This position is grant funded for four years.

Reporting relationship: This position reports to the Director of the TRCI, and will serve as a part of the Student Life and Ministerial Formation Team at the school. The position also supports the Associate Director of Rural Church Engagement, and the Wesleyan Engagement Team, particularly Lifelong Learning.

Position description

Communication: Serves as the point of first contact for prospective students, current students, alums, staff, faculty, program participants, and other constituents. Maintains contact with other offices and available resources at Duke to ensure coordination to accomplish program objectives.

Reporting and record-keeping: Helps compile reports for the Divinity School and for The Duke Endowment, including financial information, expenses, and statistics regarding our Rural Fellow graduates and current students. Completes monthly reconciliation and financial reports.

Assists in the preparation and processing of accounting forms such as Accounts Payable Request forms, Travel Reimbursements, miscellaneous reimbursements, purchase orders, wire transfers and journal entries.

Maintains records for Student Pastor program

Sets up and maintains records, reports, and correspondence related to program activities.

Orders and maintains office supplies, monitors office equipment function.

Provides support for trips, continuing education events, and other gatherings: Utilize planning process and timeline to manage events including Encuentro, Convocation and Pastor’s School, Convocation on the Rural Church, other TDE funded projects within the Office of Wesleyan Engagement and retreats for Rural Fellows and Alums.

Areas of work include booking airline tickets and other transportation, hotel reservations, and coordinating with contacts in US and Mexico. Supports and helps coordinate Rural Fellow lunches and colloquia.

Follows-up with participants to ensure required documentation for trips including passports, visas, Duke Travel Registry, vaccinations, etc.

Coordinates events for Student Pastors

Desired Proficiencies: Excel, Microsoft Word and experience with SAP or other accounting systems.

Work requires a broad knowledge of clerical and accounting principles and practices normally acquired through two years of post secondary education in secretarial science or a related business field.

Work generally requires two years of related secretarial/clerical experience to acquire skills necessary to administer office functions related to office management, communications, and budgetary/accounting activities. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.