Administrative Support Specialist

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Department: Phytotron

About the Department

The Southeastern Plant Laboratory, commonly called the phytotron, is a facility especially designed for research studies on the response of biological organisms to their environment. The high degree of control within 60+ growth chambers, 4 environmentally controlled greenhouses, and a biocontainment lab with a greenhouse makes it possible to duplicate any climate from tropical rain forests to arid deserts. It is also possible to study plant diseases and insects that need to be contained and prevented from spreading through the Phytotron or into the outside environment. The NC State Phytotron concentrates on applied and basic research related to agricultural problems encountered in the southeastern United States. The ability to control all phases of the environment allows for integration of research dealing with all aspects of plant science. The facilities are provided for NC State faculty to conduct the necessary research to allow them to secure federal grants, such as NSF and USDA, as well as for use by commercial research laboratories (for a fee).

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties:

Support one of NC State’s premier research facilities by helping ensure the efficient day-to-day operations of the NC State Phytotron. In this role, you will provide administrative, financial, and operational support that enables researchers to effectively utilize the facility while contributing to the smooth management of its business operations, records, and information systems.

Key Responsibilities

Administrative & Customer Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for researchers, NC State employees, and visitors, providing administrative support and coordinating daily facility operations.

Financial & Operational Administration

• Assist with financial administration by maintaining billing and financial records, supporting the use of facility funds, managing personnel files, and ensuring accurate administrative documentation.

Information & Facility Support

• Support the maintenance and enhancement of the Phytotron website, internal network, and facility-related data to promote efficient operations and access to information.

If you are an organized, detail-oriented professional who enjoys supporting research operations and providing outstanding administrative service, we encourage you to apply and become an important part of the NC State Phytotron team.

Other Responsibilities:

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department’s operations.

Minimum Experience/Education:

High School Diploma or equivalency and one year of related office experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word, or similar software used to manage records, financial information, and administrative processes.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate financial records, process billing activities, and organize administrative documentation.
• Experience maintaining webpages, internal network resources, or facility-related electronic data.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a professional point of contact while communicating effectively with researchers, staff, and the public.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple administrative responsibilities while maintaining accurate personnel, financial, and operational records.

Required License or Certification: N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required: No

Commercial Driver's License Required?: No

Job Open Date: 10/07/2026

Earliest Close Date—— (Positions will be posted until 5:00 PM ET on this date. Positions remaining posted after this date are still accepting applications but may close at any time.): 10/14/2026

Notice to Applicants:

Please note that the work history on your resume must also be included in your application.

Special Instructions:

Applicant required documents: cover letter, resume, contact information for at least three professional references.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Position Number: 00042180

Position Type: SHRA

Position Classification Band Title: Administrative Support Specialist

Position Classification Band Level: Journey

Position Classification Salary Range: $ 34,602 - $ 58,870

Salary Grade Equivalency: NC09

Alternate Option:

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week): 1.00

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Time Limited Position: No

Department Id: 111701 - Phytotron

EEO:

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Organization

NC State: Think and Do

NC State was founded with a purpose: to create economic, societal and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina and the country. We began as a land-grant institution teaching the agricultural and mechanical arts. Today, we're a pre-eminent research enterprise with 12 colleges excelling in all major academic fields.

Our 34,000 high-performing students take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in the real world by conducting research, working in internships and co-ops, and performing acts of world-changing service. That experiential education ensures that they leave here ready to lead the workforce. NC State's 13:1 student-faculty ratio is one of the reasons why we're the best college for your money in North Carolina (Money) and the No. 5 best value among public universities nationally (U.S. News & World Report).

Overcoming Challenges, Improving Lives

NC State is one of only two universities in the nation leading two National Science Foundation Engineering Research Centers — one developing wearable, self-powered health monitors, and the other researching smart-grid technology. We’re also leading interdisciplinary efforts to curb nuclear proliferation, help farmers confront climate change and build a new American manufacturing sector.

Our research doesn't just get published in a journal or sit on a shelf; it makes an impact. NC State is No. 6 nationwide in commercialization agreements based on university research, and we're No. 2 among universities without a medical school. Our Cooperative Extension Service provides research-based information to citizens in all 100 North Carolina counties. In addition, our industrial extension unit — Industry Expansion Solutions — has created an economic benefit for the state's manufacturers averaging $149 million per year since 2005.

Bright Minds Creating a Bold Future

NC State’s 9,000 faculty and staff are world leaders in their fields, bridging the divides between academic disciplines and training high-caliber students to meet tomorrow’s challenges. NC State students won two Goldwater scholarships, five Fulbright scholarships, one Churchill scholarship and a record-breaking 25 National Science Foundation graduate research fellowships in the 2016-2017 academic year. In addition, 25 faculty are members of the National Academies.

Our Centennial Campus, an award-winning public-private research campus, is home to more than 70 partner organizations working alongside more than 70 NC State research and academic units. Centennial is also the location of the innovative Hunt Library, which Time magazine has dubbed “the library of the future.”

In Raleigh and Around the World

It all happens in one of the best cities in America. A top spot for job-seekers and tech professionals, Raleigh is nationally recognized as a leading urban center:

• No. 2 hot spot for tech jobs (Forbes, 2016)
• No. 3 best city for young professionals (Forbes, 2016)
• No. 4 best city for jobs (Glassdoor.com, 2017)
• No. 4 best place to live (U.S. News & World Report, 2016)
• Best big city in the Southeast (Time, 2016)
• Selected as a Google Fiber expansion city

With Durham and Chapel Hill, Raleigh anchors the Research Triangle, a national hotspot for high-tech enterprise. The top companies in the region — including IBM, Cisco Systems, SAS Institute, Biogen Idec and GlaxoSmithKline — are among the country’s best employers. They also lead the way in hiring new NC State graduates.

More than 130 years after its creation, NC State continues to make its founding purpose a reality. Every day, our career-ready graduates and world-leading faculty make the fruits of learning and discovery available to people across the state, throughout the nation and around the world.