Academic Operations and Commencement Specialist

The Academic Operations and Commencement specialist supports Academic Operations for all programs in the Graduate School (GS) and supports commencement planning for the College of Adult and Professional Studies, Bethel Seminary, and the Graduate School. The specialist works with GS program directors and deans to ensure that all courses are scheduled in the student information system, have faculty assigned to them, have textbooks ordered for them, classrooms reserved for face-to-face courses, and that course evaluations are distributed, collected, and stored. The specialist serves as the graduate school calendar liaison to the Registrar's Office. The specialist is also the liaison to Bethel University's Commencement Committee and helps with CAPS/SEM/GS commencement ceremony planning.

Work with Graduate School program directors to ensure that all course offerings are scheduled for all academic blocks each term:
• Support the faculty assignment process in collaboration with the contract specialist.
• Create course sections and classroom assignments for GS in Banner, the student information system.
• Confirm textbook lists for GS courses and load those required and optional textbooks into the bookstore portal:
  • Provides students with information necessary to facilitate on-line textbook orders.
  • Includes troubleshooting problems with the bookstore on behalf of students and/or faculty, and following up with faculty to ensure timely posting of textbook information.
• Manage the course evaluation process for GS. Monitor the academic calendar and initiate the evaluation process to ensure that course evaluation reports are properly generated, stored, and disseminated.
• Serve as graduate school calendar liaison and manage Graduate School (GS) calendar and course section scheduling. This includes creating course schedule parts of term.
• Support commencement activities by serving as the liaison to the university Commencement Committee and by communicating to students about commencement details, supporting regalia orders, working with the deans and associate provost to identify program participants, developing seating plans for graduates who attend the ceremonies, and other tasks to ensure commencement ceremonies for adult, graduate, and seminary students run smoothly.
• Other duties as assigned.

• The ability to successfully perform detailed work such as data entry and proofreading accurately and consistently.
• The ability to work well with others, including professors, deans, and a small team of colleagues.
• Effective communication skills.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database experience required; knowledge of Banner database preferred.
• Ability to work independently.
• Successful work history, preferably in an academic setting.

Required Experience:

• 2 years of related experience.

Preferred Experience:

• 5 years of related experience.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.

• Must be able to sit at a computer for extended periods of time.
• Some work from home may be possible starting 90 days after employment begins.

Bethel seeks to recruit, retain, develop, and support a diverse workforce who contributes to our educational and Christ-centered mission. Bethel encourages candidates to apply who can assist the University to develop a faculty that reflects the diversity of people in God's kingdom through a variety of ethnicities, cultures, and lived experiences.

Learn more about our commitment to diversity in hiring .

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 6,300 students from 48 states and 32 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bethel offers bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 fields. Educationally excellent classroom-based and online programs equip graduates to make exceptional contributions in life-long service to God and the world.

Bethel employs qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, familial status, and status with regard to public assistance. Individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.