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Department Assistant of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Universities of Wisconsin · Platteville, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 16, 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 supported several people at once, like faculty who each needed something by the same day.

What they are checking: Whether they can juggle requests from many faculty and be honest about timing when everything is urgent.

The posting says you will develop and maintain methods of organizing office work. Tell me about a filing or tracking system you set up yourself.

What they are checking: Whether they create order on their own rather than only following systems someone else built.

You will work with external constituents, like industry partners and visitors. Tell me about a time you made a strong first impression for your organization.

What they are checking: Whether they act as a professional face of the department to people outside campus.

Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work, like a wrong date or a missed email. How did you fix it?

What they are checking: Whether they own errors quickly and fix them, which matters when many people rely on their accuracy.

What does good customer service look like to you in a university office?

What they are checking: Whether they see service as being responsive, accurate and kind to students and faculty alike.

What would you do

You will be the primary point of contact for the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering department. How would you handle a stressed student who walks in needing help you cannot give?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay calm, listen and send the student to the right person instead of brushing them off.

A faculty member asks you to share a student's grade with a parent who calls. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they know student records are protected under FERPA and would not release them without consent.

How would you learn how an engineering department works if you have never worked in one?

What they are checking: Whether they are curious and willing to learn the department's terms, courses and rhythms of the academic year.

About the work

You coordinate scheduling and meeting logistics. Walk me through how you would set up a department meeting for twelve busy faculty.

What they are checking: Whether they have a practical method for finding times, booking rooms and sending clear agendas.

What software are you comfortable with for office work, such as Microsoft Office, Google tools or a student system?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle the everyday tools of the office without much training.

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: Department Assistant of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Job Category: University Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Department Assistant Position Summary: The Department Assistant for Mechanical and Industrial Engineering provides general administrative support to the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering department. The Department Assistant serves as a primary point of contact and provides administrative coordination to support faculty, staff, students, campus partners, and external constituents. This is a full-time, benefit and paid leave eligible position with a s tarting hourly rate of $20.50, commensurate with experience and skills. Key Job Responsibilities: Administrative Support and Office Operations • Serves as the primary point of contact for the department, providing professional customer service to faculty, staff, students, administrators, campus partners, and external constituents. • Provides administrative support to assigned administrators, faculty, and staff. • Coordinates daily office operations, including scheduling, communications, meeting logistics, and general office support. • Develops, implements, and maintains methods and organizational systems for the maintenance of electronic and physical records in accordance with established policies and procedures. • Coordinates projects and program components, including scheduling, logistics, department workflow, and identifies opportunities for process improvements. • Identifies, troubleshoots, and resolves issues related to technical systems, administrative processes, and programs supporting department operations. Budget and Purchasing Support • Monitors department, unit, or program budgets and expenditures and may assist in the development of budget projections. • Processes purchasing requests, invoices, payments, and other financial transactions in accordance with university procedures. • Maintains purchasing records and documentation. Academic and Program Support • Supports academic processes including scheduling, course-related materials, records management, reporting, and other departmental needs. • Assists with student inquiries, referrals, and general academic support. • Coordinates department communications, events, meetings, and program activities. • Supports faculty and staff recruitment activities, including scheduling, logistics, and administrative coordination. • Assists with onboarding activities for new faculty, staff, and student employees. Student Employee Support • Supervises, trains, and provides day-to-day guidance to student employees. • Provides operational guidance related to assigned student employee responsibilities and office procedures. Required Qualifications: • High School or GED • Minimum of two years of experience working in an administrative or office environment. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Strong organizational skills and excellent attention to detail. • Ability to work independently and confidentially with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and external constituents. • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, manage deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities. • Ability to troubleshoot administrative and technical issues. • Willingness to develop proficiency with specialized university software programs necessary to perform the duties required for this position. • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, and Excel. How to Apply: To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by September 28, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. The following documents are required for applicant consideration: • Letter of application addressing all required qualifications. • A current resume. Legal Notices and Important Information: Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University ensures physical accessibility to work environments for persons with disabilities and will provided reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to employment. Upon request, the University will provide reasonable accommodations for religious observances and practices. The University is committed to a program of affirmative action for women, racial minorities, persons with disabilities, disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era. While the Chancellor assumes overall responsibility for the success of the program, university administrators and supervisors are responsible and accountable for implementation. Authority for monitoring the program is delegated to Human Resources. Each individual associated with the University is called upon to pledge a new and revitalized commitment to build and maintain a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination, an environment that fosters mutual respect, recognizes the dignity and worth of all people, and promotes to the fullest, equal employment opportunity through affirmative action. In compliance with the Clery Act of 1998, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Annual Security & Annual Fire Safety Report is available for review. Call the UW-Platteville Campus Police Office at 608.342.1584 for a paper copy of the annual report. The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7). 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. Required Postings: Labor Law Poster - English Labor Law Poster - Spanish Families First Coronavirus Response Act Update

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