New

Administrative Aide

Michigan Technological University

United States, Michigan, Houghton

1400 Townsend Drive (Show on map)

Nov 07, 2025

Department: A E Seaman Mineral Museum

Summary	Michigan Technological University seeks an Administrative Aide to provide professional administrative support and exceptional customer service for museum operations, including gift shop retail management, visitor services, development of promotional materials, social media management, and student worker supervision. This position serves as the primary point of contact for museum visitors, manages daily gift shop operations and inventory, coordinates digital communications and social media presence, supervises student staff, and performs office administrative functions to ensure a welcoming, educational, and efficient museum experience for diverse audiences. Availability for rotating weekend hours required: Saturdays for September through May, and Saturdays and Sundays for June through August
Responsibilities and Essential Duties	1. Provide excellent customer service to all museum visitors and ensure a welcoming, inclusive environment. 2. Manage and track day-to-day operations of the museum gift shop, including sales, invoicing, deposits, inventory, stocking and display upkeep. 3. Oversee museum social media presence by developing strategies, creating engaging content, monitoring/tracking engagement, and supporting marketing initiatives. 4. Support museum communications through photography, graphic design, and preparation of digital and print materials. 5. Supervise and train student employees to ensure smooth museum, gift shop, and visitor service operations. 6. Provide administrative and financial support for museum staff, including handling transactions, maintaining records, and coordinating with University offices. 7. Available to work a variable schedule Monday through Saturday, September through May; and Sundays, June through August. 8. Assist with museum programs, events, and exhibit openings, including occasional evenings. 9. Strictly follow museum security protocols and procedures. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work, actively engaging in University continuous improvement initiatives and applying safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices. 10. Perform other duties and assist with special projects as assigned by the Museum Director.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures	High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired
Required Experience	* Two years office/clerical experience * Two years experience in a customer service or a retail setting * Two years experience with cash handling, and point-of-sale systems * Two years experience using personal computers and software office suite packages (Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite) * Two years experience creating material for and managing and promoting social media account(s) for an organization, business, or institution
Desirable Education and/or Experience	* Four years office/clerical experience * Four years experience in a customer service or a retail setting * Four years experience using personal computers and software office suite packages (Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite) * Associate's degree in Business Administration, Museum Studies, Communications, Marketing, or related field * Experience using advanced features of spreadsheet applications including creating formulas, charts, tables, and managing worksheets with multiple formulas * Experience working in a fast paced retail environment * Experience with retail inventory management software * Experience working in a museum, cultural institution, or higher education environment * Experience supervising regular and part-time staff * Knowledge of museum operations, exhibit practices, or cultural heritage preservation * Experience with graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or Canva * Experience with photography, photo editing, and video creation for social media * Experience providing educational tours to the public * Experience with social media management tools and analytics platforms * Experience creating digital marketing content and campaigns
Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities	* Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and oral/written communication skills, including knowledge of proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation * Demonstrated ability to work independently, organizing and prioritizing multiple work assignments in a dynamic environment with frequent interruptions * Demonstrated ability to take initiative to solve problems and make sound decisions * Demonstrated ability to use judgment and discretion when dealing with confidential information * Demonstrated ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail, particularly in financial transactions and inventory management * Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage time effectively * Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and contribute to the overall smooth operation of a service environment * Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, and provide guidance to regular and part-time staff * Demonstrated ability to learn new computer-based applications and systems * Demonstrated ability to handle cash and process financial transactions accurately * Demonstrated ability to create engaging written content for social media and digital platforms * Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment * Demonstrated ability to adapt to and embrace change
Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities	* Knowledge of retail merchandising principles and visual display techniques * Experience with museum collections management practices * Demonstrated graphic design skills with ability to create professional, visually appealing promotional materials * Knowledge of current social media best practices, trends, and platform algorithms * Ability to analyze social media metrics and adjust strategies accordingly * Experience coordinating special events or group tours * Knowledge of LEAN and other continuous improvement processes * Photography and videography skills for content creation * Knowledge of digital marketing principles and brand management * Knowledge about geology, minerals, mineral collecting, lapidary arts, mineral retail market
Work Environment and/or Physical Demands	WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; talk or hear; and use hands to handle or feel objects. * The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms; use rolling and stationary step ladders; and use the pallet jack. * Work in a building without environmental controls, weather permitting. * Walk outside in various weather conditions between two buildings * Work outside, weather permitting, in the outdoor rock garden and the copper pavilion * The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. * The employee may be required to lift up to 40 pounds or more with assistance. * Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision; and the ability to adjust focus. * The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate
Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment	Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 3 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department. Required University Training: * Employee Safety Overview * Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training * Annual Data Security Training * Annual Title IX Training Background Check: Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)	1
FLSA Status	Exempt
Appointment Term	12 months
Shift	Shift Varies
Pay Rate/Salary	Contractual. External candidates will receive the minimum amount ($18.04/hr).
Title of Position Supervisor	Museum Assistant Director
Posting Type	Internal & External
Dependent on Funding	No
Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)	UAW Posting 11/7/2025 - 11/13/2025 External applicants are encouraged to apply, however internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW Posting dates.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech's hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.

Other Conditions of Employment:
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.