Jobs with the Mississippi Free Press

The Mississippi Free Press, an award-winning nonprofit digital newsroom with national impact, run by the nonprofit Mississippi Journalism and Education Group, is seeking a part-time assistant to join our diverse, cohesive and mutually supportive team. The women-founded Mississippi Free Press launched at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and immediately attracted widespread attention nationally and, at times, even internationally for our mission-driven coverage of vital issues and stories.

We are looking for a responsible assistant to track and perform a variety of administrative, organizational, clerical and office maintenance tasks to ensure the efficient and smooth day-to-day operation of our office. The Assistant to the CEO’s primary role lies in providing administrative and operational support to our CEO and Chief of Staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the CEO and Chief of Staff to ensure efficient nonprofit administration and office and newsroom operations.
• Answer and direct phone calls and emails
• Exhibit polite and professional communication via phone, e-mail, and mail
• Maintain supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level, anticipating needed supplies, placing and expediting orders for supplies
• Ensure that the office/newsroom is kept neat and organized, including by developing and implementing new systems as needed
• Carry out administrative duties such as filing, typing, copying, scanning, etc.
• Serve as a liaison between team members and the CEO and Chief of Staff as needed
• Collect and submit expense reports, PTO and scheduling requests
• Manage CEO’s and office calendar(s) and send board and CEO calendar invites and Zoom links
• Respond to and resolve administrative inquiries and questions.
• Retrieve information as requested from records, email, minutes and other related documents
• Act as the point of contact and provide general support to visitors
• Organize and schedule meetings and appointments
• Prepare the office for in-person meetings and put items away after meetings
• Help organize events for staff, boards and the community
• Work with Chief of Staff to handle requests and queries from senior managers
• Make business-travel arrangements for the CEO and other team members as needed.
• Provide personal-assistant support for the CEO including errands and prep for appointments, meetings, workshops and business travel. May include business travel with the CEO to meetings and workshops locally or out-of-state on occasion.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the CEO and Chief of Staff

Requirements and skills

• Associate’s degree or equivalent education required, Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Knowledge of office-management systems and procedures
• Working knowledge of office equipment, like printers, scanners and fax machines
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (or similar software, such as Microsoft Office)
• Excellent time-management skills and the ability to prioritize work
• Attention to detail and problem solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer-service skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently.
• 1-3 years experience preferred
• Valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance
  
  

Pay rate: $16 an hour to start. Job starts at 10-12 hours a week, with growth potential. Immediate hire.

Send cover letter and resume to Chief of Staff Shaye Smith at shaye@mississippifreepress.org

The Mississippi Journalism and Education Group does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or veteran status in any area of its operations.