Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Provides customer assistance, problem solving and support for course and classroom issues. Maintains data about University course offerings in university enterprise student system. Proofs complex data to ensure accuracy, and processes classroom scheduling change requests.

Essential Functions

• Maintains online schedule of classes data in university enterprise student system which details each term’s course offerings, through all phases of the scheduling process:
  • Interprets and evaluates changes, additions and deletions of class offerings throughout the term cycle. 
  • Performs data entry to update the schedule of classes as appropriate.
  • Consults with the schedule representatives in academic departments about class scheduling and course registration matters. 
  • Maintains related course data such as class associations, class eligibility/prerequisite restrictions, classes combined groupings, class comments, etc. Works with academic departments to assess and recommend appropriate use of schedule of classes features, and performs data entry to code the appropriate restrictions/comments.
• Processes classroom scheduling requests submitted by department schedule representatives, faculty and other members of the University community. Performs data entry to define events, search for available space, confirm reservations, and reschedule events using Student Enterprise System or through the third party Scheduling Software. Contacts requestors via phone or email to clarify, confirm, or discuss their requests. Enforces University policies governing classroom space utilization.
• Reviews and proofs course reports, class rosters, and other materials to ensure that data entered is accurate and consistent with established standards. Troubleshoots related problems.
• Responds to inquiries from staff, students, parents, and faculty regarding academic scheduling, registration, and related policies.  Troubleshoots course set ups and other problems identified from those inquiries. Fields inquiries throughout the year, and supports peak registration periods. Provides assistance to advisors and New Student Orientation administrators during summer and January orientation.
• Assists with testing software upgrades to enterprise student information system and third party software interfaces used for course scheduling.
• Assists in the quality assurance, preparation, processing, and distribution of course proposals, proofs, enrollment monitor reports and other scheduling-related reports as needed.

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• High School diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of office experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required for interacting with a diverse community of students, parents, faculty, co-workers, other University staff and the public.
• Ability to work under pressure, maintain accuracy for quality assurance, follow through on detailed tasks, and meet deadlines in a busy environment.
• Ability to understand, explain, and apply policies and procedures governing assigned activities within the unit, including protecting the confidentiality of student records.
• Ability to organize own work with considerable independence.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and juggle multiple assignments successfully.
• Proficiency with data entry and basic proficiency with desk top applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel spreadsheets.
• Working knowledge of business English, spelling, punctuation, and math.
• Flexibility in approaching tasks; willingness to contribute efforts towards office-wide priorities and projects.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm.
• 37.5 hours per week.

Salary Information

• Grade 13

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.