Department Coordinator

Overview
About the Department

The Biology Department Coordinator provides general administrative support for the department, using independent initiative to balance the priorities of the department faculty, staff, and students. The Department Coordinator acts as a first point of contact for the department, interacting with students, faculty, alumni, staff and visitors.


The Department Coordinator must be able to manage interruptions while working on complex tasks, and navigate time management for short- and long-term projects.


They are responsible for general departmental operations, public communications on behalf of the department, coordination of community building activities, fiscal monitoring, small- and large-scale event planning, management of confidential information, field trip/travel arrangements for individuals and groups.


We hope for a start date of mid-August, 2026.


About the Department: The Biology Department at Macalester College is a dynamic group of faculty, staff, and students who work together to learn about life processes in a liberal arts college setting.


The Biology department is home to ~ full-time 15 faculty and staff and has ~50-65 majors per year. The Department Coordinator is often the face of the Biology Department, engaging with people within the department and across campus.
Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Provide administrative support to faculty and staff in the department.
• Assist the department chair with general administrative tasks and procedures.
• Maintain the department's website and social media accounts.
• Works with Biology Lab Supervisor to coordinate repair and maintenance of department equipment.
• Administer, oversee and report on department budgets.
• Acts as administrative liaison and point of contact for the Biology department to students, vendors and equipment technicians on and off campus. Provides Neuroscience Program support in this capacity as well.
• Make department purchases and process payments.
• Coordinate, plan, and advertise speakers for seminar series.
• Organize and coordinate department events which include department meetings, student lunches, and senior dinner.
• Maintain and update class schedules and catalog copy.
• Assist faculty with courses including classroom space, field trips, and speaker honorariums.
• Hire, train, and supervise student employees for the Biology department.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma required. Vocational or technical training or experience in office administration required, Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in general administrative and office coordinator experience. Higher education related experience is a plus.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work with faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong office technology skills including word processing, database management, spreadsheets, Google Suite, web page creation/maintenance/ desktop publishing programs and social media platforms. Experience with Workday is a plus.
• Comfortable with accounting programs and analyzing financial data.
• Highly organized with the ability to schedule, prioritize, and complete multiple tasks and projects on time.
• Capable of working independently as needed.

Compensation :
$23.19-$24.25 Hourly

Union:
MAPE

Benefits

At Macalester, we are proud to offer excellent comprehensive employee benefits. Here are some highlights:

• 10% employer contributions to the retirement plan.
• Outstanding vacation and sick time packages, plus an additional 10 holidays.
• Competitive health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance
• Generous employer contribution to Health Savings Account.
• Tuition assistance which pays between 75% - 90% of eligible tuition for employee dependents at select institutions.
• Free primary care for most services through Nice Healthcare when enrolled in a Macalester health plan.
• Access to the athletics fitness facility, wellness coaching, and activities.

These are just some of the great benefits Macalester has to offer! To see our full benefits packages and options, please visit our Benefits Page

Bargaining units may have slightly different benefits negotiated in their contracts. Please see applicable contracts for more details.

Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check is a condition of employment.

Application Guidelines

For best consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume through the Macalester Employment Opportunities webpage by August 7th, 2026. No applications will be received after this date.


Kim Price
Interim - Talent Acquisition Manager
View email address on click.appcast.io

Macalester College does not discriminate on the grounds of sex, gender identity, race, color, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, marital status, familial status, pregnancy, genetic information, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, veteran status, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, or other categories protected by law. For additional information, see Macalester College's full Notice of Nondiscrimination.