Foundation Specialist

Foundation Specialist

Location: Big Rapids (Main Campus)

Department: AVP Advancement

Advertised Salary: $24.79 per hour. Hourly rate pursuant to the FSU and CTA/MEA-NEA Agreement

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.)

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Temporary/Continuing: Continuing

Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time

Union Group: Clerical-Technical Association (MEA-NEA)

Term of Position: 12 Month

At Will/Just Cause: Just Cause

Summary of Position: Serves as a key point of contact for the Foundation and Advancement Team, while providing administrative support for the Associate Vice President for Advancement/Executive Director of The Ferris Foundation, the Director of Leadership Giving/Associate Director of The Ferris Foundation, and philanthropy officers. Position requires a significant degree of decision-making and independent action. Interacts with tact and diplomacy with the campus community, vendors, donors, community members and other University constituents. Position reports to the Associate Vice President for Advancement/Executive Director of The Ferris Foundation.

Position Type: Staff

Required Education: Bachelor's degree

Required Work Experience: Three years of relevant work experience at the leadership level. Experience with computer software applications, preferably Microsoft Office and a customer/donor database.

Required Licenses and Certifications: Valid Driver's License

Physical Demands: Office Environment, Moving, Reaching, Sitting, Twisting, Driving, Pulling/Pushing, Repetitive movement, Standing

Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered:

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide responsible, independent administrative support for the Associate Vice President/Executive Director of The Ferris Foundation, and the Director of Leadership Giving & Relationships/Associate Director of The Ferris Foundation.
• Coordinate and manage various office tasks, including budgeting assistance, to ensure smooth department operations.
• Communicate effectively and promote a positive image of University Advancement and The Ferris Foundation.
• Coordinate a variety of duties for University Advancement in which discretion and/or judgment is required.
• Manage executive calendars, including scheduling meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements
• Receive information in various forms and determine the appropriate method of processing.
• Provide positive interactions with donors, external and internal constituents, and staff at all levels operating with courtesy and professionalism.
• Create, maintain, and update files and recordkeeping systems.
• Disseminate information that may require explanation and interpretation of established university and departmental policies and procedures, and direct individuals to sources of additional information.
• Manage multiple and rapidly changing priorities to meet the needs of the office.
• Prepare and process office documents such as purchase orders, contracts/service agreements and all documents for travel requests and expense reports for Associate VP for Advancement/Executive Director of The Ferris Foundation and Director of Leadership Giving/Associate Director of The Ferris Foundation.
• Independently answers inquiries from a variety of internal and external sources, providing explanation and interpretive information on policies, practices, and procedures.
• Requests, searches, retrieves, and analyzes information from a variety of sources, both internal and external, and compiles it in a usable format. Compile data and produce materials for presentations and proposals.
• Compose, draft, proofread, and edit correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, and other material.
• Assist in planning major events/meetings.
• Act as a backup for administrative work pertaining to the Ferris Foundation Board of Directors.
• Coordinate correspondence for Associate Vice President/Executive Director of The Ferris Foundation and Director of Leadership Giving/Associate Director of Ferris Foundation.
• Respond to donor inquiries and follow up with appropriate responses.
• May supervise student workers.
• Serve as liaison within and outside the University with a variety of constituents.
• Work with a variety of confidential documents and confidential issues.
• Assist with record-keeping, filing, and archival maintenance.
• Provide administrative assistance to Philanthropy Officers when appropriate and necessary.
• Operates a university or personal vehicle safely while carrying out job responsibilities.
• Perform all duties in compliance with applicable University policies and procedures and state and federal requirements.
• Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive authentically.
• Support and promote university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: Work some nights and weekends.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience to successfully work independently, organize own work and coordinate work activities of others.
• Be exceptionally well-organized and detail-oriented.
• Be proactive, resourceful, and efficient.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Competency with grammar and proofreading skills.
• Coordinate projects and workflow in an efficient manner.
• Be tactful and courteous at all times.
• Successfully interact with a variety of students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and visitors in a variety of situations.
• Plan, organize, and make sound judgments and decisions.
• Perform relevant research.
• Work cooperatively in a fast-paced, demanding atmosphere.
• Respond appropriately, efficiently, and positively to direction from supervisors and others.
• Perform complex computer operations using a variety of software applications.
• Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic and life experiences.

Required Documents: Cover Letter, Resume, Unofficial Transcript

Optional Documents:

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Initial Application Review Date: February 16, 2026

Open Until Position is Filled?: Yes

EEO Statement: Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University's Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.