What are the responsibilities and job description for the Front Desk Administrator (FT, Temp) position at Surry Community College?
The Front Desk Administrator serves as the first point of contact for students, requiring a high-energy, customer-focused individual who thrives in a fast-paced service-oriented environment. The position demands exceptional attention to details and outstanding customer service skills to ensure each student receives prompt, effective assistance. The ideal candidate will be personal, proactive, and able to manage multiple inquiries simultaneously while maintaining a positive and professional demeanor. The role involves managing the front desk area, supporting front desk technology, managing the Student Services phone system, and assisting with Student Services and events.
Office Hours:
Office Hours:
- Monday through Thursday: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Fridays: 7:30 am – 2:30 pm
- Some nights and weekends depending on College events and activities.
- Coordinate schedules for part-time administrative assistants.
- Serve as the initial point of contact for students, visitors, and staff, offering guidance on admissions, registration, and general inquiries.
- Assist students with navigating the application process, including residency determination, admissions testing, and registration for both curriculum and continuing education programs.
- Manage the scheduling of student appointments for the Student Services department and assist in coordinating meetings, workshops, and events.
- Maintain department records, including student files and appointment logs, ensuring accurate and timely documentation.
- Monitor and maintain the cleanliness and organization of the front desk and common areas to create a welcoming environment.
- Answer incoming calls and emails, direct inquiries to the appropriate staff members, and manage the department’s voicemail system.
- Serve as a liaison between students and department staff, relaying information and resolving minor issues.
- Provide exemplary customer service, ensuring that all visitors receive professional and timely assistance.
- Offer basic troubleshooting for student-facing technology, such as online forms, student portals, and other software systems.
- Assist with the electronic processing of documents, including scanning, copying, faxing, and entering information into institutional systems.
- Support Student Services events, including registration, orientation sessions, and other student-focused activities.
- Assist in the preparation and distribution of materials for special projects or department initiatives.
- Oversee the handling of incoming and outgoing mail, ensuring it is processed and distributed appropriately.
- Maintain electronic and paper records in compliance with institutional guidelines, ensuring data accuracy and confidentiality.
- Mentor and support student desk workers, ensuring they are properly trained and knowledgeable about front desk procedures.
- Work collaboratively with the Student Services team to enhance the student experience and provide a seamless service environment.
- Ensure compliance with institutional policies and regulations, including confidentiality of student records and adherence to FERPA guidelines.
- Gather and report feedback from students and visitors to improve the quality of front desk services.
- Develop and implement training programs for new front desk staff and student workers to ensure consistency in front desk operations.
- Maintain an inventory of Student Services supplies and ensure that materials such as copy paper, forms, and other office supplies are adequately stocked.
- Stay current with first aid mental health training, and possess the skills to deescalate and aid students under acute emotional distress.
- Other work-related duties as assigned.
- Maintain a clean and safe work area.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and must meet the requirements listed below that represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability necessary to be successful. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
REASONING ABILITY:
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:
Required Qualifications
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common correspondence and reports.
- Ability to articulate professional responses to common inquiries and/or complaints from students, faculty, staff, or the public at-large.
- Ability to write using proper grammar and punctuation.
- Ability to effectively present information to management, students, faculty, staff, or the public at-large.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
- Ability to apply and understand standard mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
REASONING ABILITY:
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:
- Understanding of and commitment to the unique nature and role of the College and to the philosophy of the community college system.
Two year college or university program degree; or four or more years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate Degree in Office Systems Technology, Office Administration, or related field;
- Experience in an educational or service/retail setting;
- Successful customer service experience.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
- The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, & walk; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms
- The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee will occasionally be outside.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually low.
