Administrative Assistant, Board of Advocates & Office of Public Service (HR Title: Administrative Assistant II) - (DED00000480)

Hourly Range:

$24.70 per hour

About SMU:

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

This position performs administrative tasks for the Board of Advocates and the Office of Public Service and assist in operational and programmatic aspects for both offices.

This position also performs a wide variety of administrative tasks for several faculty members at the law school, including clerical support, publication support and editing work, travel planning, meeting set-up logistics, scheduling, processing reimbursements, exam support, and other duties.

Essential Functions:

Board of Advocates

Work cooperatively with Assistant Clinical Professor of Legal Advocacy and Director of Legal Advocacy Programs, staff, and students to organize, administer, and assist with oversight of the school’s advocacy program to minimize wasteful spending and mistakes in booking travel, hosting events, and otherwise pursuing the program’s goals.
Coordinate and book travel and complete related paperwork for Board of Advocates moot court, transactional, mock trial, and alternative dispute resolution competition teams and on-campus competitions and training.


Office of Public Service

Assist in the planning and implementation of Public Service Office events inc. Public Interest Law Week, Public Service Career Fair, Public Sector Practice Series, APIL Auction, and Pro Bono Honor Roll Reception; coordinate the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program; maintain the PS website; and keep information about public service placements updated and current.
Maintain data on entire law student body concerning public service hours completion status, including name of each placement site as well as number of hours completed at each site. Run status reports on each graduating class and track total hours per class as well as total since inception. Submit completed hours to the Registrar monthly.
In coordination with the Office of Career Services, assist in posting daily public sector career and internship opportunities on Peruna Pro and provide support with GPI externship program as needed.


Faculty Support

Provides clerical support including keyboarding, composing and editing letters and other documents, copying, scanning, creating and maintaining filing systems, responding to emails, and disseminating information; Utilizes multiple technical applications including word processing, electronic calendar, email, and Internet as needed by members of the faculty (including research on Internet).
Working with faculty and other staff, coordinates dissemination of and tracking of final exams, and provides information to students and faculty regarding final exams as directed.
Edits faculty articles for submission to various publications and otherwise prepares them for submission; mails reprints to faculty's list of colleagues.
Arranges meetings and travel arrangements for conferences, seminars, symposia, and other events; coordinates travel reimbursement and other expense reimbursements.


(Miscellaneous) Assist SMU Law Review with anonymization of law review write-on competition packets, covers time out of the office for other administrative assistants and provides overflow support to other administrative assistants as needed. Other duties, as assigned.

Position requires occasional evening work for Public Service, BOA, or conference events.


Qualifications
Education and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor's degree is preferred.

A minimum of two (2) years of work experience with at least one (1) year of office administration or support is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills and ability to produce clear, concise and error-free written materials. A strong customer service orientation is essential.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning, and time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.

Candidate ability to work independently and anticipate issues, while also working under the supervision of several faculty members, as well as the Assistant Dean for Public Interest & Pro Bono, and the Assistant Dean for Administration.

Candidate must demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Must also have the ability to use of Zoom. Candidate must be able to maintain paper and electronic files.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time
Bend, stand
Walk for distances
Reach above shoulders
Handle objects (dexterity)
Push/pull
Carry/lift 25 lbs.
Deadline to Apply:

July 6, 2026

To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit:

A resume; and
A cover letter expressing why you are interested in the position and your relevant experience.
EEO Statement:

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.