Operations Associate Jobs in Lexington, KY (NOW HIRING)

Location : Berea
Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time
Division: Labor Program
Department: Labor Program Initiatives
Opening Date: 06/17/2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Salary Grade: N/A
Labor Supervisor?: No
Please note that references provided at the time of application for staff positions will not be contacted until the applicant has been offered the position.
Description:
Under the general direction of the Dean of Labor and the direct supervision of the Associate Dean, the Temporary Operations Associate provides operational, administrative, and front-end customer service support for the Office of Work-Learning-Service. This position serves as a welcoming point of contact for students, supervisors, faculty, staff, and campus partners, helping respond to routine questions, route inquiries, support office processes, and meet the day-to- day needs of the WLS team. Through strong organization, clear communication, and a service-oriented approach, the Operations Associate helps ensure that the office operates smoothly, remains responsive to campus needs, and supports the broader goals of meaningful work, learning, and service.
Your Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a welcoming point of contact for students, supervisors, faculty, staff, and campus partners who contact or visit the Office of Work-Learning-Service.
• Respond to routine questions related to WLS processes, office procedures, student support needs,and supervisor inquiries, routing more complex matters to the appropriate staff member.
• Assist with front-end office functions, including answering phones, monitoring shared communication channels, greeting visitors, and helping maintain a professional and student-centered office environment.
• Support student and supervisor service needs by helping individuals navigate basic forms, processes, deadlines, and available resources.
• Maintain accurate records, files, spreadsheets, and documentation in support of WLS operations,programs, and office projects.
• Assist with data entry, information tracking, and basic reporting needs to support office planning, communication, and follow-through.
• Provide logistical support for WLS programs, trainings, meetings, events, and outreach efforts,including preparation of materials, room setup, attendance tracking, and follow-up communication.
• Support internal team coordination by helping track tasks, organize shared resources, and assist with project- based needs across the office.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the effective operation of the Office of Work-Learning- Service.

What You'll Bring:
Education required to ensure success in this position:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Relevant coursework, training, or lived experience in art, community engagement, education, or youth mentorship is strongly preferred.

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• Experience working in a higher education, nonprofit, community arts, or youth programming setting.
• Demonstrated experience supervising or mentoring student staff, volunteers, or early-career professionals.

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, particularly in guiding and mentoring first-year college students.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple art-based projects and pop-up events.
• Familiarity with experiential learning, inclusive engagement practices, or community arts programming.
• Ability to cultivate a positive, welcoming, and supportive atmosphere for creative exploration and teamwork.
• Competency with common digital tools such as BOX, Canva, Microsoft Office, and social media; ability to help students document and share their work.
• Flexibility, initiative, and responsiveness in adapting to changing event needs and student schedules.
• A service-oriented attitude with enthusiasm for working in collaborative, student-centered settings.

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• None required

Physical requirements:

• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time with computer use;
• Must be able to participate in indoor and outdoor events, including light lifting, setup, and take down of materials.
• Must be able to move about campus, support event logistics, and engage actively with students and community members.
• Frequent use of computers or other standard office/event equipment.
• High energy and enthusiasm for creative, student-facing work are essential.

Environmental conditions:

• Indoor fast-paced office environment and out of office visitation and support of ~100 labor departments with diverse work environments

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:

• Ability to operate office equipment, including printers, scanners,etc.

Founded in 1855, Berea College is nationally recognized as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. Berea has a longstanding commitment to interracial education and is one of the most racially diverse private liberal arts colleges in the United States. With an emphasis on service to Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls more than 1,500 students from 46 states and U.S. territories and more than 70 countries. Berea College admits students who are unable to afford tuition and provides all of them with a no-tuition promise. Berea's students excel in the College's supportive yet demanding academic environment, and most are the first in their families to attend college. As one of only ten federally recognized Work Colleges, all Berea students are expected to work 10-12 hours weekly in various positions across campus. Berea College is also the only institution in Kentucky to receive the 5-Star Rating from Money Magazine, 2025. Washington Monthly has named Berea College the #1 Best College in the nation in its 2025 College Guide. Berea College appears in their rankings as #1 College (overall): Best College for your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars, #1 Best-in Class College, #1 Liberal Arts College and #1 Best Bang for the Buck Southern College.
Located where the Bluegrass Region meets the Cumberland Mountains, the town of Berea (pop. 16,000) lies forty miles south of Lexington and is approximately two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Knoxville. More information about Berea College is available at
Berea College, in light of its mission in the tradition of impartial love and social equality, welcomes all people of the earth to learn and work here.
Berea College is always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this applicant friendly, online job application!
Berea College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
This position is not eligible for benefits, however, Berea College still offers unique position opportunities you can read more about below.
Our Unique Culture:
Berea College strives to be a place where people with various Christian interpretations, different religious traditions, and no religious traditions work together in support of
Over the past century, various leaders of the College have applied the College's inclusive scriptural foundation and spirit to their expanding world and welcomed those whose beliefs were consistent with the Christian gospel of impartial love. Therefore, Berea College today affirms its inclusive Christian tradition even as it respects the traditions of Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus, as well as other faiths, and those holding no religious beliefs. We strive not to ignore our differences, but rather seek to understand each other honestly and respectfully, and together create a climate where anyone can openly discuss what they believe without fear of sanction. To that end, all persons who are willing to share in the spirit and the work of the Great Commitments as shaped by its preamble are welcome to study, to teach, and to work at Berea
Labor Supervision:
In support of Berea College's great commitments, staff and faculty serve as labor supervisors. Our fourth great commitment, The Dignity of Labor, promotes learning and serving in community through the student Labor Program, honoring the dignity and utility of all work, mental and manual, and taking pride in work well done. Student Labor Supervision includes scheduling, assigning, and approving student work, developing students' workplace acumen, and providing tangible work experience. To learn more about the labor program office please see the following link