Jobs › University of Chicago

This position has closed. University of Chicago removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 25, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Project Assistant 1

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · $19.45–$22.71 an hour · Full time

Posted Aug 7, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 22, 2026

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

You would greet and direct customers and answer phones alongside the physical work. How do you stay pleasant when you are interrupted mid-task?

What they are checking: Temperament in an interruption-driven service role.

The posting says you must assimilate frequently changing system procedures and technologies. Tell me about learning a new process quickly.

What they are checking: Adaptability, which the posting states as a requirement.

How do you keep track of several jobs at different stages at once?

What they are checking: Organization, which the posting names repeatedly.

This begins September first, 2026, pays $19.45 to $22.71 an hour, and requires lifting fifty pounds, pushing and pulling one hundred, climbing five flights of stairs, and walking across campus in all weather. Does all of that work for you?

What they are checking: That they read every stated physical requirement and the start date, and can answer plainly.

What would you do

This role sorts and delivers mail and packages across campus several times a day. How would you plan a delivery run so nothing gets missed?

What they are checking: Practical organization of a physical route.

A faculty member needs a copy order faster than the priority time frame allows. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Managing expectations without simply saying no to a professor.

You would operate a cash register for copy orders and course packets. How do you handle a discrepancy at the end of a shift?

What they are checking: Honesty with a till, which matters at any level.

The posting requires maintaining a high level of confidentiality. What might you see in this job that needs to stay private?

What they are checking: Whether they have thought about why a mail and copy room handles sensitive material.

About the work

You would fulfill copy orders including course packets, using a binding machine and an industrial paper cutter. Tell me about operating equipment that needed care to use safely.

What they are checking: Mechanical aptitude and safety awareness, both named in the competencies.

You would do data entry and billing for copy orders in Excel. How do you keep billing accurate when orders come in all day?

What they are checking: Accuracy on repetitive entry work with money attached.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at University of Chicago from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department SSD Auxiliary Services Staff and Temporary Employees About the Department The Division of Social Sciences' Auxiliary Services provide mail, copy/printing related services to faculty, staff, and departments. Job Information Job Summary: Under direct supervision, performs a variety of clerical, secretarial, fiscal, and coordination duties serving as a Project Assistant I in Auxiliary Services in the Social Sciences Division by interacting daily with faculty, staff and students delivering exceptional service for print/copy projects and course packets, and ensuring smooth logistics. Acts as the go-to for on campus deliveries of campus mail and packages for the Social Sciences Division working in a collaborative dynamic environment. Position will begin September 1, 2026 Responsibilities: • Sort mail/packages and deliveries. Receive and logs packages. Make pick-ups and deliveries throughout campus several times per day, fulfills special requests and serve as a messenger. Sort mail in designated mail room on campus and deliver packages to designated mail rooms/offices across campus. This includes delivery of parcels and equipment by hand or by using hand carts or hand trucks. • Using Excel, responsible for data entry and billing for processed copy orders. • Fulfills copy orders. Makes copies, assembles course packets, scans & faxes documents and uses copy room equipment such as a binding machine and industrial paper cutter. Restocks boxes of paper for the copiers daily. • Greets and directs customers, answers phone calls, and completes filing duties. • Complete assigned work orders within the priority time frame. • Performs data entry duties as it relates to billing, responds to emails, and composes correspondence. • Responsible for operating cash register for the sale of copy orders and course packets. • Performs other duties as assigned. Competencies: • Mechanical aptitude; visual acuity; manual dexterity. • Excellent customer service, communications, and professional attitude. • Work successfully as part of a team. • Possess a basic understanding of internet environments. • Ability to bend, stoop, and lift up to 50 pounds required. • Ability to push and pull up to 100 pounds required. • Ability to climb at least 5 flights of stairs required. • Ability to walk (several times per day) to various campus locations for deliveries in a designated time required. • Ability to tolerate all weather conditions while walking to make deliveries required. • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail required. • Ability to work with a diverse population required. • Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality required. • Good math skills required. Additional Responsibilities Education, Experience or Certifications: Education: • High school diploma from an accredited institution or a GED certificate required. Experience: • One- year experience operating copiers and performing complex copy tasks required. • One-year experience in cash handling and operating a cash register required. • One-year experience making deliveries required, preferably in a campus or multi-building institution. • One-year experience with data-entry and billing required. • One-year experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook required. • Ability to assimilate and execute frequently changing system procedures and technologies required. Pay Range: • $19.45 - $22.71 Required Documents: • Resume • Professional references (3) The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Benefit Eligibility ​ Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Pay Rate Type Hourly Pay Range $19.45 - $22.71 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Union 024- Local 743, I.B.T. Clerical Job is Exempt No Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Posting Date 2026-08-07 Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.