Administrative Assistant, Blue Earth County (Mankato) and Nicollet County (St. Peter)

Working Title: Administrative Assistant, Blue Earth County (Mankato) and Nicollet County (St. Peter)

Appointment: Full-time, Prin Ofc & Admin Specialist (job code 1826), AFSCME represented

Pay Range: $21.69/hour - $25/hour; depending on education, qualifications, experience

Office Hours: Between the regular office hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, schedule to be set with supervisor upon hire. This position is not remote and requires working in the two offices. Additional hours required during county fair season.

Office Location: Blue Earth County Extension Office (Mankato, MN) and Nicollet County Extension Office (St. Peter, MN)

This position is equally shared between Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties. This position requires time to be divided between both office locations. The schedule will be set with supervisor upon hire.

Application Deadline: November 24, 2025

About the Position

This position is part of a county Extension office staff team who are vital to Extension's outreach mission in connecting local needs with University of Minnesota resources. This position provides support to the local 4-H program and all Extension programs and activities. This position provides day-to-day operations, including customer service and administrative support for county Extension programs and activities. This position will report to the Regional Director, Southeast Region. The person in this position serves a vital role as the first point of contact for customers, visitors, and community members and performs general office duties as assigned. This position will be equally shared between Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties and requires equal amounts of time to be divided between both county office locations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are typical for this position. These are not exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Support (85%)

• Assists Extension staff in planning and developing resources and events:
  • Provides logistical support (meeting rooms, catering, registration)
  • Support evaluation efforts
• Assists in communicating Extension programs through website updates, social media, listservs, newsletters, and print and radio media.
• Helps to ensure Extension is adhering to applicable county and University policies
• Provides direct and back-up support for the county 4-H program:
  • Supports 4-H program volunteers and members with enrollment, event registration, and promotion materials
  • Maintains 4-H databases and generates reports, including county fair 4-H database
  • Provides clerical, logistical, and technical support for 4-H programming
  • Maintains 4-H finances utilizing Quickbooks including reconciliation of accounts, coding of transactions, processing incoming and outgoing transactions
  • Assists with showcase events, including:
    • Updating and publishing 4-H premium book
    • Assists with the Animal ID process
    • Provides information and coordination support at the county fair
    • Assists with enlisting and preparing materials for county fair judges
    • Order and organize supplies for events and programs
    • Provides support for auctions, award ceremonies and other special events

Office and the General Administration (15%)

• Operates and maintains general office equipment; consults with IT as appropriate.
• Orders, maintains and manages office supplies and publications for the department.
• Processes claims using county financial procedures and adheres to county financial policies.
• Processes office mail.
• Maintains schedule for office meeting rooms.
• Participates in training, professional staff development, and conferences.
• Point of contact for the county Extension office; receives, greets, and responds to requests; provides resources and referrals to questions and distributes requests/messages to correct parties
• Provides clerical and technical office support for all Extension programs and staff
• Assists with creating and modifying electronic documents, brochures, program fliers, posters, reports and correspondence. Prints, scans and files materials.
• Provides support to the county Extension committee
• Maintains confidentiality.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is typically performed in an ordinary office environment, involving prolonged sitting, standing, walking, bending or twisting. Some repetitive motions (such as from typing or data entry) will occur. Physical activity is light and intermittent such as walking through the facility or carrying files or materials. Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds is required. This position requires a high level of attention to detail and deadlines. Duties include being able to proficiently use computers, printers, calculators, telephones, copiers, scanners, fax and general office equipment. There are frequent interruptions during the work day. Occasional attendance of evening meetings is required and will impact the work schedule. Drives regularly on short errands or intermittently to meetings. May work at alternate work sites including public event spaces and county fair grounds to support events. Requires extra hours during the county fair season.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma/GED and two years related clerical, office or administrative experience OR equivalent combination of relevant work experience AND related education in administrative support course work/office setting to total two years.
• Strong customer service experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient with email, calendaring, word processing, spreadsheets and database software.
• Proficient with standard office equipment.
• Proficient with general bookkeeping.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite applications
• Valid driver's license and access to vehicle with required insurance as some travel will be required including driving regularly on short errands or intermittently to meetings. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy.
• Ability to drive for errands and out of office meetings
• Must be able to work regularly at the dedicated/assigned Extension offices.
• Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location.
• Ability to work on computer for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to stand, sit, bend, twist, and carry up to 50 pounds to different areas of the facility
• Ability to work extra hours during county fair season, to include evenings and weekends
• Must be able to work outdoors in various weather conditions
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent organization skills, detail-oriented, able to prioritize work, manage workflow with unexpected interruptions and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Demonstrate troubleshooting, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Experience with Quickbooks or other financial management software
• Experience with website and social media.
• Knowledge and understanding of financial policies and procedures.

About Extension

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension's programming and employee engagement. Find further information on the Extension website.

Pay Range: $21.69/hour - $25/hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment (full-time, 40 hours/week)

Position Type: Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click on the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position. Please attach the following required application materials:

• Cover letter
• Resume - Your resume must include all your education and experience as it relates to the required qualifications. The initial HR screening process focuses primarily on the resume.

Names and contact information for three professional references will be required during the interview process.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. See full application instructions.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.