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Administrative Assistant III

Universities of Wisconsin · River Falls, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you handled confidential information at work. How did you protect it?

What they are checking: Whether they use discretion, which the posting names as a core part of the job.

Tell me about a time you caught a mistake before it went out.

What they are checking: Whether they pay close attention to detail on work that goes out under a leader's name.

How do you handle a day when everything changes and your plans fall apart?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm and flexible when an executive's office shifts priorities fast.

Why do you want to work in academic affairs at a university?

What they are checking: Whether they understand and care about the setting, which helps them stay in the role.

What would you do

You support two Associate Vice Chancellors with different priorities. How do you decide whose request comes first?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance two leaders fairly and ask for direction instead of guessing.

A visitor shows up upset and wants to see the AVC right now, but they're in a meeting. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can calm someone, respect the leader's time and find a reasonable next step.

About the work

How do you keep track of many calendars, meetings and travel plans without double-booking?

What they are checking: Whether they have reliable systems for scheduling, a big part of daily work.

What do you do in Word and Excel day to day, and what's the most advanced thing you've done in Excel?

What they are checking: Whether their software skills match the documents and reports the posting expects.

How would you plan logistics for a large meeting with faculty from across campus?

What they are checking: Whether they think through rooms, tech, materials and follow-up, as the posting asks.

How do you keep files organized so someone else could find things if you were out?

What they are checking: Whether they keep records in a way that supports the office, not just themselves.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Universities of Wisconsin.

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Position Title: Administrative Assistant III Job Category: University Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Administrative Assistant III Job Duties: POSITION SUMMARY: The Administrative Assistant III provides independent administrative support for Counseling Services, a high-demand student service department providing mental health counseling, crisis response, outreach, prevention programming, wellness initiatives, consultation, and campus education. A primary responsibility of this position is coordinating the daily operations of the Counseling Services front desk, including oversight, training, scheduling, and support of student front desk employees who serve as the first point of contact for students seeking mental health services. The position ensures that students receive timely, professional, and confidential assistance while supporting efficient department operations. In addition to front desk coordination, this position provides administrative support for student access processes, departmental operations, purchasing, budget activities, reporting, assessment, and program initiatives. The position requires independent judgment, discretion with confidential information, knowledge of university procedures, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a clinical student service environment. RESPONSIBILITIES : • Schedules logistics and secures resources for meetings. • Serves as a primary point of contact for individuals and groups, provides organizational information via phone, in person, and through other communication platforms. • Prepares and edits documents and reviews work done by others • Develops, sends, receives, copies, and distributes communications to the appropriate entities according to established policies and procedures • Develops, implements, and maintains methods and organizational systems directed at the maintenance of electronic/physical records related to work operations according to established policies and procedures • Main point person for hiring and training of front desk student staff. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Required Qualifications: • High school diploma or equivalent required. • Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. • Proven ability to organize, lead, and coordinate tasks or teams effectively. Preferred Qualifications: • Experience in a college/university counseling center or with young adult populations • Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including differences in race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, and socioeconomic status. • Experience supporting individuals in emotional distress or crisis situations. • Ability to be highly flexible and modify work to meet the changing needs of a day on in the office • Ability to collaborate effectively with other staff and positively contribute to a client care team • Experience with electronic mental health record keeping systems • Experience supporting student workers, including responsibilities related to scheduling, supervision, and hiring processes. Key Job Responsibilities: • Sends, receives, copies, and distributes communications to the appropriate entities according to established policies and procedures under general supervision • Schedules logistics and secures resources for meetings, conferences, travel, and work unit operations • Maintains established methods and organizational systems directed at the maintenance of electronic/physical records related to work operations according to established policies and procedures • Serves as a first point of contact for individuals and groups, provides basic organizational information via phone, in person and through other communication mediums, and routes more complex inquiries to the appropriate entities • Collects, analyzes, and prepares various communication materials from established sources utilizing technology mediums This position follows a 10-month work schedule, with a planned unpaid break each year from mid-June to mid-August Department: Counseling Services How to Apply: Applicants are required to apply online at Career Opportunities . UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Applicants are required to provide: • Resume • Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter) Inquiries should be addressed to: Jennifer Herink Search Chair jennifer.herink@uwrf.edu Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before October 13, 2026 . The pay rate is $21 per hour A six-month probationary period is required. Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 7.20%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguideus.pdf UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-4941. Confidentiality of Applicant Materials The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). Title IX Notice As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRF’s Title IX Coordinator at  titleix@uwrf.edu ; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see students.uwrf.edu/titleix . Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you, your most recent employer, and all previous Universities of Wisconsin institutions and State of Wisconsin agency employers from the past seven (7) years to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment per Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275. Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at  www.uwrf.edu/police/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report  or call University Police at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy. Reasonable Accommodations UW-River Falls provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or an accommodation in applying because of a disability, contact hr@uwrf.edu or 715-425-3518. Academic Freedom & Freedom of Expression The University is committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression, and provides all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to explore ideas and to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, pursuant to Regent Policy Document 4-21 Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression . UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

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