Become an Office Assistant

Join our administrative team as an Office Assistant!

Who can be an Office Assistant?

This position is open to all undergraduate students at UIUC. Candidates must be in good academic standing and registered for a full course load. The position is open to renewal if performance is satisfactory. Illinois is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status a as a qualified individual with a disability or criminal conviction history. Illinois welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.

What does an Office Assistant do?

Office Assistants at the Writers Workshop are the friendly faces that welcome writers and check them in for appointments. They are here to answer questions via phone, email, and in-person at the Main Library. They are the creativity and scheduling gurus behind our Instagram. They are more than capable of providing exceptional customer service, working independently during all shifts, solving problems using sound logic and judgment, and utilizing communication and time management skills during evening and weekend drop-in hours. They also help us track data, create documentation, and contribute to the efficiency of the WW’s operations. They:

  • Arrive on-time for all shifts and provide sufficient notice to supervisors for absences
  • Greet students, faculty, and staff who come into the Writers Workshop
  • Promptly answer phones and respond to voicemail and email messages
  • Interact professionally with students and staff via phone, email, and in-person
  • Address general questions about the Writers Workshop
  • Check writers in for appointments and drop-ins at the Main Library
  • Host online drop-ins via Zoom
  • Contribute to the Writers Workshop’s data management
  • Contribute to the Writers Workshop’s marketing and social media communications
  • Complete projects and tasks as assigned by the Director and Office Manager
  • Facilitate communication between students, consultants, and Writers Workshop Administration

What makes a great Office Assistant?

A great office assistant MUST (required):

BE friendly, punctual, creative, proactive and detail-oriented.

HAVE excellent customer-service, written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

KNOW how to use Outlook, Teams/Zoom, Excel, Canva (or other design software).

A great office assistant COULD ALSO HAVE (preferred):

EXPERIENCE with customer service via phone and email, social media advertising and analytics, data input and analysis, and multitasking within a fast-paced environment.

KNOWLEDGE of the Writers Workshop’s mission and services or experience(s) with those services.

Why would I want to be an Office Assistant?

Office Assistants enjoy perks such as a growth-based environment, a supportive team, and a consistent yet flexible schedule. They strengthen their communication, problem-solving, multitasking, and design skills, and learn more about the role, types, and impact of writing on our campus.

Prior Office Assistants have said:

“Working as an office assistant at the WW has allowed me to grow my skills with interpersonal communication and data management, among many other things. Assisting writers, whether it is helping to check them in or answering a question about the Workshop, is a rewarding experience and makes me feel more connected to the Writing Center and the campus as a whole.” – Josie, August 2024-May 2025

“Working for the Writers Workshop has taught me valuable information about the importance of writing centers and the resources they offer to students. My work here contributes not only to the smooth workflow of our consultations, but also to the promotion of our services. Since starting my position, I’ve developed strong office communication skills – specifically relating to email correspondence. Balancing this – along with interactions with in-person writers – has immensely improved my multitasking abilities. Every interaction at the WW starts and ends at reception, so communication remains a huge part of my job! Additionally, I’ve taken on larger leadership roles with organizing our social media platforms. This is one of the most enlightening aspects of my position as I learned about content creation and outreach analytics. The other office assistants are always ready to lend a hand when needed and there’s plenty of opportunity to take on extra hours in those cases. I appreciate our combined willingness to help each other out.” – Alyssa, August 2023-May 2025

How do I apply to be an Office Assistant?

When we are accepting applications, an application form link will be available on the top of this page and the position will be announced on the Virtual Job Board. Our next hiring window will be during Summer 2025. Office Assistants are currently paid $15/hr.