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Graduate Student Assistant Jobs in Washington, DC

University of Maryland

Graduate Assistant

College Park, MD · On-site

$26K - $27K/mo

Summary & Additional Information The Department of Mechanical Engineering Student Services Office seeks to hire a UMD Graduate Assistant to provide administrative support to the undergraduate office ...

Umd

Graduate Assistant

College Park, MD

$26K - $27K/mo

Summary & Additional Information The Department of Mechanical Engineering Student Services Office seeks to hire a UMD Graduate Assistant to provide administrative support to the undergraduate office ...

Umd

Graduate Assistant

College Park, MD

We are seeking a motivated and proactive graduate student with strong technical, analytical, and ... As a Graduate Assistant, you will work collaboratively with the Research Development team, with ...

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How much do graduate student assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate student assistant in Washington, DC is $18.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $20.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate student assistant?

Graduate Student Assistants are graduate-level students who work part-time at a university to assist faculty or academic departments with teaching, research, or administrative tasks. Their responsibilities can include grading assignments, leading discussion groups, conducting research, or supporting departmental operations. These positions provide valuable professional experience, financial support, and opportunities for skill development while pursuing a graduate degree.

What are the typical responsibilities of a graduate student assistant?

Graduate Student Assistants often support faculty with research, grading, administrative tasks, and sometimes teaching or tutoring undergraduate students. Their responsibilities vary by department but generally include assisting with data collection, literature reviews, and helping to organize academic events. These tasks not only help departments run smoothly but also provide valuable hands-on experience and professional networking opportunities for the assistant. Working closely with faculty and peers fosters mentorship and can open doors for future academic or professional advancement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate student assistant?

To thrive as a Graduate Student Assistant, you need strong organizational, research, and academic skills, usually supported by enrollment in a graduate program. Familiarity with data analysis tools, learning management systems, and office productivity software is often required. Excellent time management, communication, and teamwork skills help you effectively support faculty and collaborate with peers. These abilities ensure efficient assistance with academic projects, administrative tasks, and contribute to a productive learning environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Student jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Graduate Student jobs in Washington, DC are:

Graduate Student Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Student Assistant job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,034 per year, or $18.8 per hour.

DSA Administrative Assistant (Student) (FWS)

American University

Washington, DC • On-site

$18.40/hr

Other

Re-posted 7 days ago

American University rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 631 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community.
This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions. FWS funds cannot be applied to janitorial, construction, partisan or sectarian positions. For information or questions regarding FWS funds, please contact American University's Office of Financial Aid.
Important guidance for current American University employees: American University current employees, including those employed in student positions, must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into your employee Workday account and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Applying outside of your employee Workday account may cause delays in a hire process.
Department:
Student Affairs Administrative Support
Time Type:
Part time
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Job Description:
Summary:
The DSA Administrative Student Assistant provides administrative, communications, research, event, and project support to the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and other designated divisional units. The student assistant helps create a welcoming and student-centered first point of contact while supporting digital communications, visual design, presentations, research, data collection, events, and routine office operations.
The student assistant must exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, follow established protocols, and promptly refer urgent, complex, or highly sensitive matters to professional staff. The student assistant does not provide counseling, guidance, conduct determinations, or crisis intervention.
Essential Functions:
1.) Constituent and Office Support
  • Monitor routine inquiries received through telephone lines, and reception areas; respond when appropriate and route questions to the correct staff member or campus resource.
  • Welcome students, families, faculty, staff, and visitors and provide accurate, courteous, and timely information about office services and procedures.
  • Use established referral protocols to identify and immediately elevate urgent, sensitive, or complex concerns to professional staff.
  • Support scheduling, document preparation, filing, scanning, copying, mail distribution, records organization, meeting agendas, notes, and routine follow-up.
  • Help maintain an organized, professional, inclusive, and accessible office environment, including shared spaces, supplies, and digital resources.
2.) Communications, Graphic Design, and Digital Engagement
  • Create and edit flyers, digital graphics, signage, handouts, newsletters, and promotional materials using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or other approved tools.
  • Develop polished PowerPoint presentations, briefing materials, reports, templates, infographics, and other visual communications for divisional leaders and staff.
  • Draft, proofread, and edit email, website, newsletter, presentation, and social media content in alignment with university brand and accessibility standards.
3.) Research, Data, and Special Projects
  • Conduct background research, benchmarking, and environmental scans related to student affairs programs, policies, trends, and peer-institution practices.
  • Summarize findings in concise research briefs, comparison tables, annotated resource lists, and presentation materials.
  • Collect, enter, organize, and verify program, participation, and assessment data.
  • Support divisional initiatives and time-limited projects by maintaining project files, tracking action items, monitoring deadlines, and following up on assigned deliverables.
4.) Events, Meetings, and Student Engagement
  • Assist with planning and coordinating meetings, programs, trainings, outreach activities, and divisional events.
  • Support logistics including room reservations, calendars, registration forms, attendee lists, agendas, materials, signage, catering, technology, and post-event follow-up.
  • Represent the Division of Student Affairs at information tables, campus programs, and other outreach opportunities.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
  • Part-time.
  • 10 hours per week.
Salary Range:
  • $18.40 per hour.
Required Education and Experience:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Active part-time or full-time enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student at American University.
  • Current Federal Work-Study award and continued eligibility throughout the employment period.
  • Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and customer-service skills.
  • Demonstrated organization, attention to detail, reliability, and ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, calendars, and shared documents.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively, seek guidance when needed, respond professionally to feedback, and maintain regular communication with the supervisor.
  • Ability to exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, and serve a diverse community with professionalism, respect, cultural awareness, and an inclusive approach.
Preferred Education and Experience:
  • Experience with graphic design or visual content creation using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or comparable tools.
  • Experience creating PowerPoint presentations, reports, infographics, or data visualizations.
  • Experience conducting research, preparing summaries, using spreadsheets, administering surveys, or supporting assessment projects.
  • Prior experience in a university office, student organization, customer-service role, communications setting, or event-planning environment.
  • Knowledge of American University resources and the student experience.
  • FERPA or other confidentiality training, or willingness to complete required training upon hire.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications:
  • Part-time position during the full academic year, generally 8-10 hours per week.
  • Work is primarily scheduled Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.; occasional evening or weekend support may be requested for programs or events with advance notice.
  • The student employee must submit a current class schedule at the beginning of each fall and spring semester and maintain an agreed-upon work schedule.
  • Continuation in the position is contingent upon satisfactory performance, continued student status, Federal Work-Study eligibility, and compliance with university policies and required training.
  • Other duties may be assigned when they are consistent with the purpose and level of the position.
Other Details
  • This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
  • Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
  • American University is an E-Verify employer.
  • Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.

Current American University Employees
American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual's genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

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