Assistant to Dean
Last updated: May 19, 2025
Typical Responsibilities
Reports directly to a Dean, Divisional Dean, Associate Dean, Assistant Dean or any other other position with a dean payroll title in a school or college and has delegated authority to perform professional level administration and management of programmatic or administrative functions. Makes decisions or recommendations regarding assigned administrative or programmatic functions. Examples of responsibilities: – Budget management and analysis, – Faculty promotions and appointments, – Special projects management and coordination, – Research administration, – Policy development and analysis, – Department administrative services which may include a small percentage of time spent performing duties such as developing meeting agendas and taking meeting minutes, revising the Dean’s schedule and calendar, planning organizational events and meetings.
Supervisory Responsibility
Supervision of staff is not required, but is commonly found at higher grades in the series. Supervisors have the authority to hire staff, evaluate job performance, and take corrective action if performance is not acceptable.
Overtime Eligibility
FLSA overtime status is based on the position’s duties and responsibilities, and whether or not the position’s gross salary is less than the federal FLSA salary basis test or the Washington state salary basis test, whichever is higher. Please visit the Compensation website for current information on FLSA overtime eligibility.
Professional Staff Exemption
Principal Assistants to Executive Heads: Individuals serving as principal assistants to executive heads of a major administrative or academic division and who have major administrative or program responsibility within the division/department and report directly to the executive head. The employee regularly exercises independent judgment and discretion in work directly related to management policies or department business operations and has delegated authority to make commitments that affect department operations.
Sample Working Titles
Assistant to Dean, Executive Assistant to the Dean, Specialist Assistant to the Dean
Alternative Payroll Titles
If the position does not report to a Dean but does report to a different payroll title under the “Executive Head” exemption, other payroll titles to consider include Administrator, Manager, Analyst, or Assistant to Director. If the primary focus of this position is clerical in nature, review classified payroll titles such as Administrative Assistant, Administrative Coordinator, Human Resources Coordinator, Program Coordinator, Fiscal Specialist etc.
Limitations
Positions must report to a Dean. Meeting an FLSA overtime exemption is a critical component of new positions assigned this payroll title.