Student Assistant I - Office of the President

Palo Alto University (PAU), a private, non-profit university, founded in 1975 and located in the heart of Northern California’s Silicon Valley, is a community grounded in values of social justice, dedicated to addressing pressing and emerging issues in the fields of psychology and counseling that meet the needs of today’s diverse society. The students at PAU reflect the diversity of the region, are engaged in their education, and committed to improving the lives of others. The University sees diversity in its staff and faculty as very important to serving its diverse student body (or synonymous with inclusive excellence). PAU offers undergraduate and graduate programs with online, hybrid and residential options. PAU has an engaged faculty who make significant contributions to their fields and prepare future leaders who make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. When you put all of this together, PAU creates a legacy of confident, competent, and compassionate professionals who are at the forefront of psychology and counseling and who move ahead in life by moving lives ahead.

Position Description

Job Title: Student Assistant 1

Department: Office of the President

Reports To: Natalie Oyarce, Director of the President’s Office & Board Administration

Location: In-Person

Employment Status: Part-Time, approximately 10 hours per week

Summary

The Office of the President is seeking a dependable, organized, and service-oriented student assistant to provide general administrative and event support. Reporting to the Director of the President’s Office & Board Administration, the student assistant will help with day-to-day office operations, expense documentation, supplies and refreshments, and preparation for meetings and university events.

This position offers a unique opportunity to learn about university leadership, administration, and governance and to support the work of the President, University Cabinet, and Board of Trustees. The student assistant may also have opportunities to interact with university leaders and trustees while assisting with meetings and events. Because the position may involve exposure to sensitive or confidential information, sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion are essential.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

1. General Administrative Support
   • Provide basic administrative support to the Director of the President’s Office & Board Administration.
   • Organize, scan, copy, print, and assemble documents and meeting materials.
   • Assist with data entry, filing, record organization, and other routine office tasks.
   • Help maintain an organized, professional, and welcoming office environment.
2. Purchasing and Expense Support
   • Assist with organizing receipts and preparing routine expense documentation.
   • Help place approved orders for office supplies, refreshments, and other materials.
   • Monitor and restock snacks, beverages, and general office supplies.
   • Receive, organize, and distribute deliveries for the President’s Office.

1. Leadership Meeting and Event Support
   • Assist with preparations for meetings and events involving the President, University Cabinet, Board of Trustees, and other university leaders.
   • Prepare name tags, folders, signs, handouts, supplies, and other meeting or event materials.
   • Help set up and reset meeting spaces, including arranging materials and refreshments.
   • Provide on-site support for Board meetings, university gatherings, and other large-scale meetings and events, as needed and as scheduling permits.
2. Professionalism and Confidentiality
   • Handle information related to the President’s Office, University Cabinet, Board of Trustees, university employees, students, and guests with discretion and confidentiality.
   • Exercise good judgment when working with sensitive materials or in professional settings.
   • Interact with members of the PAU community and external guests in a courteous, helpful, and professional manner.
   • Arrive on time, communicate proactively, and complete assigned work accurately and reliably.
3. Other Duties
   • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Current PAU student in good academic standing.
• Ability to work approximately 10 hours per week in person, with occasional schedule adjustments for major meetings or events when mutually agreed upon.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Dependability, punctuality, and the ability to follow through on assignments.
• Ability to manage routine tasks independently and ask questions when clarification is needed.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Interest in leadership, higher education, university administration, or organizational operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous administrative, customer service, office, or event-support experience.
• Experience organizing materials, maintaining records, or assisting with meetings and events.
• Interest in learning about university leadership, higher education administration, and the work of a university president, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees.

Application Procedures:

PAU is committed to providing an educational environment that supports a diverse, equitable and inclusive population. In your cover letter, please include information on how your background and experience has prepared you to be in an environment that holds equity and inclusion core to its mission and values.

EEOC Policy:

The University is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and in the application of its personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, employment decisions will be made irrespective of the staff member's race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (cancer- related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the University will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, if the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform all essential functions of the position and if it will be done without undue hardship to the University.