Part Time Office Assistant

EEO Statement: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Mercatus complies with federal, state, and university rules as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic.To be considered for this position you must submit a Resume and Cover Letter.

Summary
The Office Assistant at the Institute for Humane Studies and Mercatus Center at George Mason University assists with the efficient administration of an office environment for approximately 300 people at one main office in Arlington and a satellite location in Fairfax. The Office Assistant is responsible for front office activities (including reception), mail, maintenance of break rooms and shared spaces, and additional facilities functions as needed.

Key Responsibilities
The essential functions of the Office Assistant include:

• Receive, sort, and forward incoming mail and packages daily for Mercatus, IHS, and subtenants - shipments from conferences, marketing materials, gifts, checks, etc. - to ensure that it goes to the correct employee. Coordinate the pick-up and delivery of time-sensitive mail, including express mail.
• Set up offices for new employees before and after they arrive so that they have all the supplies they need: filing cabinets, access cards parking items, desks, furniture, etc. Schedule and coordinate inter-office moves with each employee.
• Provide above-and-beyond customer service to visitors and staff to create a welcoming and positive environment. Greet all guests, and direct them to their appropriate point of contact. Address their needs and answer their questions to the best of your ability or find an answer if you don’t know it. Treat guests with hospitality: offer them something to drink and a place for the coat/bag, direct them to the nearest restroom, and provide them with other information (such as Wi-Fi credentials) as needed. Communicate building needs to Lincoln Property staff, and coordinate building services for events such as HVAC and cleaning for after-hour events.
• Assist to answer every phone call during business hours and direct the caller to the appropriate associate or associate’s voicemail. If the appropriate contact can’t be reached, go above and beyond to have someone talk to them or take a detailed message. Provide an update to any inquiries by the end of the day at the latest. Handle all calls respectfully and with emotional intelligence and ensure that callers are treated like a customer and provided with excellent customer service.
• Clean out fridges weekly, and clean/check conference room supplies weekly.
• Support the office manager, and other cross-collaborative partners, i.e. - manage/assist with record keeping and auditing to support organizational standards as set by the office manager, follow protocols and processes for upholding employee access and commonly required assistive needs for both an in-person and virtual employee base.
• Assist in receiving and storing office supplies and materials. Maintain a full inventory and ensure that the office is fully stocked with all supplies. Manage the inventory to ensure that a reasonable number of items are ordered to fully supply the office, without superfluity.

Required Qualifications

• Zero to two years of previous experience in an office environment or professional customer service role.
• Working knowledge of mail processes such as postage machines, FedEx, and UPS.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite
• Superior communication skills both written and oral
• Highly organized multitasker who works well in a fast-paced environment

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

This position requires the ability to lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a part-time, in-house position. Hours of work are typically M-F 10:00 am-3:00 pm, and there are instances where the Office Assistant will need to come in early or leave late based on specific business requirements.

Help us Grow Please submit your cover letter and resume through our online application process. Your cover letter must indicate your interest in the Mercatus Center's mission.

Employee Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. In addition, Mercatus provides excellent benefits to all individual employees, including full health and dental coverage, flexible spending accounts, long-term disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement savings program, parking/travel benefits, and twelve free credits per year at George Mason University.

About the Mercatus Center at George Mason University: For over 40 years, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University has been the world’s premier university source for market-oriented ideas—bridging the gap between academic ideas and real-world problems. A university-based research center, Mercatus works to advance knowledge about how markets work to improve our lives by training graduate students, conducting research, and applying sound economics to offer solutions to society’s most pressing problems.