Program Assistant

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).

The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.

We are pleased that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join RFCUNY.

Primary Location:

LAGUARDIA C. C.

Bargaining Unit:

Yes

General Description:

10,000 Small Businesses is a national investment by Goldman Sachs to spur growth and job creation in small businesses. Goldman Sachs selected LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York as the pilot partner to design and launch 10,000 Small Businesses. Through an unprecedented combination of classroom training, expert advice, and mentoring, business owners will develop and implement strategies to grow their firms. Those business owners selected to participate in this intensive program will receive rigorous training on business fundamentals through a curriculum devised by LaGuardia Community College in collaboration with the nation's top business schools and tailored to the practical needs of small firms.

Under the direction of the Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives, the Program Assistant will be responsible for supporting the day\-to\-day operations of 10,000 Small Businesses at LaGuardia Community College. He or she will play a vital coordination role in ensuring program operations are effective for program scholars and staff, and that the business services and education services components are tightly coordinated, including providing support to the Executive Director in scheduling key meetings and activities.

The Program Assistant must be self\-directed. He or she will be able to effectively interact with program staff and participants. The successful candidate will take initiative, be outcome\-oriented, a problem solver, a skillful communicator, creative, and an effective collaborator.

Core Responsibilities:

• Serves as the first point of contact for visitors and callers, providing a professional, courteous, and a welcoming experience at all times
• Answer the telephone, schedule meetings, and perform data entry
• Provide support to the Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives with the coordination of day\-to\-day operations for the program, including the entire application process and preparation of classes
• Ensure program materials needed for each module and clinic are prepared in advance
• Ensure program components are scheduled in a timely fashion, like additional classrooms or space needed
• Utilize technology to capture information related to program participants
• Interact with participating scholars to provide relevant, accurate, and timely information related to schedules, events, and Program matters
• Serve as point of contact for vendors, such as water, office supplies, food, and college department partners, including IT, building and grounds, security, and facilities
• Perform other duties as needed

Specific Tasks:

• Customer service: serving as a point of contact for all guests who come into the 10KSB Education Center by providing a professional, courteous, and welcoming experience at all times, including providing assistance as needed
• Answer the telephone and route messages to the appropriate staff
• Assist with the application process, including uploading materials and following up with candidates directly via telephone or email for missing materials
• Assist with the setup for all classes and clinics, ensuring moveable walls are adjusted appropriately for each module. Coordinate with IT and/or facilities to address any specific requirements, such as technical support or temperature control adjustments from building and grounds
• Prepare and print all materials needed for the launch of a cohort and all classes, clinics, and events, including name badges, name plates, sign\-in sheets, and all necessary supplies
• Order office supplies, including liaising with the appropriate college staff for any office equipment or other supplies
• Confirm additional space or classrooms needed for a specific module, clinic, or event is done prior to the start of a cohort
• Organize and plan menu for all classes, clinics, and events, from breakfast, coffee, water, lunch, afternoon snacks, including liaising with the caterer to confirm order and serve as a point of contact with the delivery person to ensure food is delivered in a timely manner.
• Upload the menu for each class onto Canvas for scholars to see prior to class. Ensure food and refreshments are set\-up for every class, clinic, or event.
• Handle the process of submitting purchase orders for all items, and payment of invoices after consultation with the Director of Operations and the Financial Analyst.

Manage the dedicated email account for 10,000 Small Businesses

• daily and the main telephone line, and ensure that requests or questions are routed to the appropriate staff.
• Confirm and handle any request for parking with the appropriate office and any payments pertaining to such.

Core Competencies/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school in Business, Public Administration, Government Affairs, or related
• At least three to five years of experience in Program duties
• Strong Microsoft Office skills and knowledge of technology
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills
• Detail\-oriented with excellent follow\-through
• Outgoing personality and ability to interact with people of diverse backgrounds
• Must be a passionate advocate for the program, its participants, and LaGuardia Community College
• This is an in\-person position with the option of some remote work.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, especially on class days, program events, and alumni events
• Appointments are subject to the availability of funding and satisfactory performance

Pay Range:

$55,000 \- $65,000

RFCUNY Benefits

RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals (link to https://www.rfcuny.org/RFWebsite )

About the Research Foundation

The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) is a nonprofit educational corporation founded in 1963 to provide post\-award fiscal and administrative support for CUNY’s research and sponsored programs. RFCUNY’s services allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries, on projects and programs that serve our local and global communities, proposing concrete solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.

RFCUNY serves as a fiscal agent and works closely with all the CUNY campus Grants Offices to perform the core functions of post\-award financial management for CUNY research projects and sponsored programs. These functions include legal assessment and signing of agreements where RFCUNY is named as a fiscal agent; setting up award accounts; preparing sub\-awards and assisting PIs in monitoring the work of the recipients of sub\-awards; supporting project directors with hiring and managing research project and sponsored program staff; supporting the purchasing and paying for goods and services with grant and program funds; managing financial aspects of projects including accounts receivable, financial reporting, invoicing, budget monitoring, and cost compliance with uniform guidance; ensuring that sponsor financial requirements are met; monitoring compliance with applicable project and financial management rules and laws; supporting the management of independent and external audits and financial reviews; and providing data, information, management expertise, and other supports to CUNY’s research and sponsored programs.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E\-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.