Program Assistant, Beyond Plastics

Location: Bennington,Vermont,United States

Beyond Plastics is seeking a Program Assistant to support the exciting work of the Beyond Plastics team in an administrative capacity. The Program Assistant will provide administrative support on a broad range of organizational functional areas including core administrative responsibilities and database services assignments, an understanding of processes, as well as collaboration with internal teams.

About Beyond Plastics

Founded in 2019, Beyond Plastics is a project housed at Bennington College with the mission to end plastic pollution everywhere. Currently a team of 15 deeply committed individuals working remotely, Beyond Plastics focuses on policy and advocacy, building a grassroots movement, and educating the public in order to further its mission. You will be an employee of Bennington College, working only on issues related to Beyond Plastics.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• • Assist in the coordination of all operational and administrative activities of the Beyond Plastics team and provide administrative support to the President of Beyond Plastics and other staff as needed.  

  • Assist with day-to-day administrative operations of the Beyond Plastics office. 

  • Serve as a welcoming and supportive resource and provide a welcoming environment for all employees.

  • Take notes at weekly staff meetings.

  • Monitor consistent tracking of program staff quantitative and qualitative data throughout the year.

  • Monitor organizational constituent emails and ensure timely responses.

  • Complete and submit monthly credit card documentation to Bennington College Business Office for President, Managing Director, and Development Director.

  • Assist Program Manager with organization/clean-up, etc., of organizational Google Drive.

  • Track staff and volunteer speaker engagement numbers by following up with staff and charting attendee numbers month over month.

  • Follow up with event sponsors to ensure we receive and process outstanding sponsor fees as needed

  • Upload news articles and organizational reports to the website, as requested.

  • Assist Digital Director with Action Network uploads and data management including monthly reconciliation of gifts.

  • Assist the Digital Director with email list re-engagement and clean-up.

  • Follow up with staff and volunteer speakers to ensure outstanding speaker fees are received and processed on a monthly basis.

  • Complete and submit Beyond Plastics’ staff reimbursements with the Bennington College Business Office

  • Track online webinar and event RSVPs/attendees for the Development & Digital team.

  • Working with the Managing Director and Program Manager, reconcile organizational expenses, as well as program budgets in relation to restricted grant funding.

  • Provide assistance to staff as needed regarding travel, e.g., making reservations, arranging meetings, reporting on receipts, etc.

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values. The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.

Qualifications

1. General administrative experience, minimum of 3 years of administrative experience with demonstrated progressively increasing responsibilities;  Associate degree required,  BA degree preferred.

2. Strong verbal and written communication skills.  Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to maintain good relations and open communication with Beyond Plastics staff, Bennington College staff and people and groups who contact the organization. Demonstrated ability to develop/maintain positive relationships.  Strong problem-solving and time-management skills. 

3. Must exercise good judgment at all times.  Must be able to work with limited direction and handle multiple tasks.  Must be able to handle a high volume of work and competing deadlines with ease. Strong listening skills and exceptional organizational skills are required.  Must have demonstrated ability to successfully coordinate and facilitate projects independently and/or with limited supervision.  Work requires keen attention to detail, ability to establish priorities in a changing work environment and ability to successfully meet deadlines.  Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, team environment and to successfully navigate and flex with changing priorities.  

4. Advanced computer skills.  Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, Gmail, Google Drive, and Internet research required.

Note: The position requires the successful completion and acceptable results of a background check.

Work Environment and Requirements

90% of work performed in a home office environment with substantial activities completed using a computer; sedentary work. 10% of work will be in-person meetings. Periodic travel required. 

Compensation

$50,000-$54,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Bennington College offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical insurance, dental insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, generous time off benefits (4 weeks vacation, 10 sick days and 17 paid holidays) and educational benefits including Tuition Exchange.

To Apply: 

The position is open until the position is filled; interviews will happen on a rolling basis.

Please apply with a cover letter and resume.