CalTech - California Institute of Technology Jobs

CalTech - California Institute of Technology

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Pasadena, CA

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"Administrative Assistant"

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Administrative Assistant

Staff

May 1, 2026

Location

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Type

Full-time Regular, Overtime Eligible, Benefits Eligible

Salary

$27.50 - $34.15 per hour

Required Qualifications

3+ years administrative/clerical experience
Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook
Calendar management for executives
Travel arrangements and expense reports
Handle sensitive confidential information
Strong organizational and communication skills
Experience editing/proofing documents
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Administrative Assistant

Position Description

Administrative Assistant

Job Category
Fulltime Regular

ExemptOvertimeEligible
Overtime Eligible

Benefits Eligible
Benefit Based

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Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.


Job Summary

The Administrative Assistant provides administrative support for personnel in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The OGC provides legal advice and counsel to the California Institute of Technology and its affiliated organizations, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The position provides support for a variety of tasks and responsibilities within the department.

This is an Essential Reporting position. An employee designated as essential reporting has essential job skills that are needed for response and recovery and is expected to report to Campus as soon as possible.

Essential Job Duties

  • Manage front desk, including screening and routing phone calls, managing visitors, welcoming and directing guests, and reviewing and routing mail.
  • Provide administrative assistance to multiple attorneys requiring a thorough knowledge of OGC’s processes and the Institute's policies and procedures.
  • Manage and be responsible for calendars and scheduling meetings and appointments within an environment that requires constant coordination with other offices and an ability to handle competing priorities.
  • Ability to interact and coordinate professionally and effectively with leadership, faculty, students, all levels of employees, and numerous external contacts.
  • Drafting, editing, and proofing various administrative and/or legal documents and communications, including memoranda and correspondence.
  • Provide support and coverage for other assistants at other OGC offices as needed.
  • Handle and maintain sensitive and confidential information.
  • Coordinate travel, process expense reports, and payment requests.
  • Make and reconcile purchases.
  • Track and maintain publications ordered and received.
  • Track, maintain, and order office supplies.
  • Prepare and edit presentations such as PowerPoint presentations, including graphics as needed.
  • Plan and organize events.
  • Perform data entry.
  • Identify and assist with process improvements.
  • Assist with responses to subpoenas and other legal information requests.
  • Organize and maintain files.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

  • Must be a team player who enjoys collaborating with other members of the staff and works well in a small but supportive environment.
  • Three or more years of administrative/clerical experience.
  • Must be able to prioritize and organize tasks, work both independently and in a team environment, and maintain high-quality work product and effectiveness while handling multiple tasks effectively.
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills and effective oral and written communication skills, as well as experience editing and proofing.
  • Proficient computer skills, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • Experience making travel arrangements and processing travel expense reports.
  • Experience managing multiple and active calendars of executive-level individuals.
  • Strong word processing and proofreading skills.
  • Highly organized with the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and accomplish assigned tasks accurately and in a timely manner.
  • Must be capable of working under the pressure of deadlines.
  • Conscientious, detail-oriented, and proactive.
  • Demonstrates good judgment and initiative.
  • Proactively works with minimal direction to accomplish goals.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to interact professionally with executive and senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelors degree.
  • Three or more years of legal department work experience.

Required Documents

  • Resume.
  • Cover Letter.

Hiring Range

$27.50 - $34.15 per hour

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

📋What are the essential duties of the Administrative Assistant at Caltech's OGC?

The role involves managing the front desk, screening calls and visitors, routing mail, providing admin support to attorneys, calendar management with competing priorities, drafting/editing documents, handling confidential info, coordinating travel/expenses, ordering supplies, preparing presentations, planning events, data entry, and assisting with subpoenas/files. This is an essential reporting position requiring prompt campus response. Explore similar roles in higher ed administration jobs.

🎓What qualifications are required for this Administrative Assistant position?

Basic qualifications include 3+ years of administrative/clerical experience, proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, calendar management for executives, travel/expense processing, outstanding interpersonal/communication skills, ability to handle multiple tasks under deadlines, and working independently with confidential info. Preferred: Bachelor's degree and legal department experience. Review key requirements for administration support jobs.

💰What is the salary and benefits for Caltech Administrative Assistant?

Salary range: $27.50 - $34.15 per hour, based on experience/education. Benefits include health/dental/vision insurance, retirement plans, generous PTO (vacation, holidays, sick, parental leave), tuition reimbursement. Non-benefit employees get counseling/sick time. Learn more about higher ed benefits and perks.

📄How do I apply for the Administrative Assistant job at Caltech?

Submit a resume and cover letter via the official application link in the posting. Position is full-time regular in Pasadena, CA, with deadline May 1, 2026. Prepare using our free resume template and cover letter template for higher ed roles.

⚖️Is legal experience preferred for this OGC Administrative Assistant role?

Yes, 3+ years in a legal department is preferred, along with knowledge of processes. Core skills emphasize teamwork, prioritizing tasks, professional interactions with leadership/faculty, and process improvements. This Overtime Eligible role suits organized pros. See Caltech admin jobs for similar opportunities.

🔬What makes this Administrative Assistant role at Caltech unique?

Supports the Office of the General Counsel advising Caltech and JPL, involving legal document handling, subpoena responses, and coordination across offices. Requires discretion with confidential info and essential reporting. Join a diverse community tackling scientific challenges. Check university jobs in Pasadena.
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