Job Description

About the Department
The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology supports teaching, research, and extension programs in fundamental plant biology and microbiology, including basic and applied research, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, and outreach to state and national clientele.
Essential Job Duties
This position provides support for the undergraduate program in Plant Biology consisting of approximately 75-100 Plant Biology majors and 30 Plant Biology minors. The position will assist the undergraduate program director with program operations, recruitment, event logistics, and data management. The position also provides instructional support for courses at the undergraduate level.

The incumbent must be able to work occasional weekend events such as graduation, open house, student organization activities, and recruitment functions. This position is on-site with no remote option.

The successful candidate will be responsible for, but not limited to the following duties:

Undergraduate Program Support
Assists the Director of Plant Biology Undergraduate Programs (DUP) with paper file organization and management
Orders supplies and materials to support the undergraduate program office and undergraduate program functions
Organizes and maintains the Plant Biology Undergraduate Common Room and regulates student access based on enrollment status
Maintain program bulletin boards and program information displayed on electronic billboards
Responds to requests and acts on Plant Biology course enrollment overrides with faculty approval
Coordinates completion and filing of PB 492 and PB 493 course contracts. Organizes midterm report collection and review. At the end of the semester, coordinate collection of PB 492 and 493 course deliverables and request/enter student grades from internship/research mentors.
Coordinates the call and assemble application materials for the Chilton Undergraduate Research Award in the spring semester, and schedules finalist interviews
Assemble data for departmental and college-level undergraduate student awards and scholarships
Develop or update print materials about the undergraduate program for recruitment as needed
Assemble/package materials for distribution at open house, major exploration events, Spend-a-Day at State visits, and other recruitment events
Serve as the first point of contact for prospective students and coordinate visits with the department
Meet with prospective students/families at recruiting and/or yield events and visits as needed
Respond to or refer general inquiries about the undergraduate program
Work with the DUP to generate short articles highlighting student achievements for the program and college webpages
Communicate program updates and information to the department for updates/postings to the departmental website and social media accounts
Distribute information about Plant Biology course offerings to other departments and programs
Distributes information to students about departmental events, open internship and job postings, and research opportunities; provides information about deadlines for applying for undergraduate research grants and Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs)
Helps maintain the Plant Biology Undergraduate Program Handbook for students
Attend college-level DUP and academic program meetings as needed

Event Logistics and Coordination
Coordinates logistics for the Plant and Microbial Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium, including making room reservations, organizing speaker schedules, distributing event information to the department, and organizing event refreshments
Provides logistical support for fall and spring departmental commencement ceremonies by making room/venue reservations, assisting with ceremony room setup, developing and printing ceremony programs, coordinating refreshment procurement and setup, and general event execution.
Assemble and help set up display materials at major departmental events including CALS Tailgate and university open house.
Coordinate materials needed for displays at new student recruitment events and on-campus workshops for teachers and visiting students.
Attend open house and other recruiting events.
Help schedule meetings of the Plant Biology Undergraduate Program Committee and organize committee meeting supplies.
Assist DUP with materials organization for undergraduate club meetings
Serve on the departmental social committee and help plan and carry out departmental social events.

Instructional Support -Lab Assistant
Assist with the operation and support of one lab section of PB 200, Plant Life including:
Demonstrating proper lab techniques and procedures
Administering pre-lab and post-lab quizzes/assessments
Attending relevant prep meetings
Participating in grading for labs sections with instructor oversight and defined grading key.
Help proctor and grade exams with instructor oversight and defined grading key for PB 200
Make motor fleet reservations for courses and co-curricular learning experiences (field trips) as well as for the undergraduate botany club
Help make requests for tours of on-campus facilities and off-campus site visits (e.g., industry) for courses such as PB 103
Assist with course scheduling and making departmental room reservations for Plant Biology courses
Make motor fleet reservations for courses and co-curricular learning experiences (field trips) as well as for the undergraduate botany club
Help make requests for tours of on-campus facilities and off-campus site visits (e.g., industry) for courses such as PB 103
Assists with course scheduling and making departmental room reservations for Plant Biology courses

Data and Records Management
Work with the DUP to assemble data for the program’s annual outcomes assessment report
Run reports and assemble data for program reviews and committee meetings
Capture snapshots of Plant Biology major enrollment numbers each fall and spring semester
Record post-census date enrollment numbers in Plant Biology courses
Collect and inventory Plant Biology course syllabi (undergraduate and graduate)
Collect information on graduates for the departmental alumni list
Maintain minutes of the Plant Biology Undergraduate Program Committee meetings
Maintain organize electronic records of undergraduate program, including shared Google Drive spaces

Manage the PMB Department’s Social Media and Website:
Assist the PMB Department faculty, staff, and the Plant Biology and MMB programs with periodic website updates, including creating content, taking and posting photos, newsletters, and news stories.
Update and create content for the department and program twitter and LinkedIn accounts.
Create, post and distribute the departmental biannual Alumni eNewsletter and the Spring and Fall Social eNewsletters.
Assist with the Day of Giving coordination including posting to PMB (X) Twitter and providing social media support.
Update the Departmental archive history to record important events, awards and other departmental, faculty and staff achievements.
Assist with the PMB Alumni Mentoring program communications.
Assist with planning the monthly PMB Shorts talk series.
Other Responsibilities
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Experience/Education
Bachelor’s degree; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Other Required Qualifications
Demonstrated skills and experience in records collection and management.
Strong interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work with a variety of different students and faculty.
Must be able to work occasional weekend events such as graduation, open house, student organization activities, and recruitment functions.
Preferred Qualifications
Professional experience (e.g. instructional experience) in a natural science discipline are helpful but not essential.