Administrative Associate

This position will remain open until filled. Applications submitted on or before May 5, 2026 will receive full review.

COMPENSATION

Part-time non-exempt (statutory benefits only)
$30-35/hour, part-time 20-hours/week

LOCATION

This is a hybrid position, primarily remote with flexible in-person schedule, located near Taghkanic, NY (not accessible by public transportation). Forge is located on the unceded, traditional and ancestral lands of the Moh-He-Con-Nuck, The Peoples of the Waters that Are Never Still. Today the Moh-He-Con-Nuck reside in Wisconsin and are known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans. Further details on working conditions below.

ABOUT FORGE PROJECT 

Forge Project is a Native-led non-profit organization whose mandate is to cultivate and advance Indigenous leadership in arts and culture. Located on the ancestral homelands of the Moh-He-Con-Nuck people, Forge is situated on a 60-acre campus in the Mahicannituck (Hudson river) valley. A change-making model for Native cultural self-determination and leadership, Forge fuses traditional and contemporary knowledge and practices to build community, public education, and collective action.

Forge seeks a new team member to join us in shaping a decolonial future who shares our vision of Native self-determination and governance. We are guided by the leadership of the Indigenous Steering Council, the Board of Directors, Executive Director and Chief Curator Candice Hopkins (Citizen of Carcross/Tagish First Nation), and Director of Indigenous Programs and Relationality Sarah Biscarra Dilley (yaktitʸutitʸu yaktiłhini [Northern Chumash]). Embarking on our third full year as an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Forge Project is excited to welcome a new staff member to our highly collaborative team.

POSITION SUMMARY

Forge Project is seeking a highly organized communicator with exceptional project management skills. The position will coordinate meetings, communications, and administrative projects with the internal team at Forge Project. This position reports to the Operations Director and works closely with other director level staff including the Executive Director and Chief Curator and the Director of Indigenous Programs and Relationality. This position will also coordinate projects directly involving the Indigenous Steering Council (ISC), Board of Directors, and select outside consultants.

Forge is a dynamic organization and our Programs, Collections, Editorial, Development, and Operations departments work collaboratively. This role will work directly with staff across the organization to refine and maintain administrative systems. The role encompasses logistical, communications, technical, and administrative work, as well as creative thinking around organizational, strategic, and financial goals. This position requires a high level of accountability and discernment while having a great deal of latitude for personal time management. The Administrative Associate will have professional development opportunities available to them, and there may be opportunities for self-directed projects in alignment with organizational priorities & programming. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

General Operations

• (Gen Ops) Coordinate scheduling of organization-wide meetings and initiatives including bi-monthly staff workshops, quarterly budget reconciliations, quarterly Board & ISC meeting cycles, and executive projects such as capital and strategic planning meetings (4+ monthly).

• (Finance) Work closely with Development and Finance teams to coordinate workflows of received donations and earned income as well as accounting-side grant administration. Under guidance of the Operations Director, this work will include detailed tracking of budgetary implications for all received grant funding from drafting grant proposal budgets, budget adjustments based on received grant funding, through final grant budget reports.

• (Finance) Support senior leadership with expense reports, working with Operations Director to reconcile monthly General Operating expenses and participate in quarterly budget reconciliation meetings. These responsibilities will include detailed clerical tasks such as receipt tracking, petty cash reconciliation, and expense coding.

• Provide occasional support onsite and in-person, as-needed, for administrative tasks such as mailings, gifting, and inventory management.

Governance & Leadership

• This area of work encompasses high-level administrative support for senior leadership, acting as a strategic partner to maximize their productivity while following principles of transparency and open communication. Key responsibilities include complex calendar management, priority discernment, arranging travel, handling confidential information, and managing communication including drafting policy memos, presentations, and formal correspondence. 

• (Internal Leadership) Under oversight of the Operations Director, coordinate logistics for meetings of the organization's leadership-level staff. This may include coordinating with outside partners, donors, or other high-touch contacts as well as coordinating group-meetings with internal staff, consultants, or committee members. 

• (Board & Governance) Under oversight of the Operations Director, coordinate logistics for meetings of the organization's governing bodies, the Indigenous Steering Council (ISC) and Board Members and their Committees. Track and collate agenda items and supporting documents for meetings including quarterly departmental reports, meeting presentation decks, and special projects, as assigned. Develop itineraries and book travel for at least two annual in-person meetings.

Other duties as assigned

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL BE 

A person who has substantial administrative experience, is a strong written and verbal communicator and has a passion for furthering social justice in the context of contemporary art and culture. An ideal candidate is comfortable communicating with the organization’s leaders, council, and board members, with discretion. This role is best suited to someone who enjoys detailed task management and is comfortable working with a range of digital platforms. Someone who enjoys working as part of a team, in a responsive and collaborative environment, and is comfortable with both in-person and remote settings. 

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS NEEDED

• Demonstrated organizational and administrative skills with at least 2 years of relevant experience

• Strong written and verbal communication

• Task management and self-directed in setting priorities 

• Discretion in handling confidential and/or sensitive information

• Project management  

• Strong computer skills and facility with Google platforms, AirTable, Zoom; Adobe or Figma are a plus

• Understanding of and/or direct experience with Native American communities is a plus.

• Familiarity with contemporary art and culture and/or fundraising and development.

• Candidate must be based in the broader Mahicannituck (Hudson) Valley region, or willing to commute onsite on occasion​​, and have a valid driver’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• Forge Project is located in a rural area with no public transportation. The offices and shared  spaces are currently only partially ADA accessible, as they include unpaved pathways and stairs.

• Forge will make every effort to provide accommodations as needed.

• Forge’s work space includes sitting desks, a semi-private office, and informal meeting spaces.

• Forge encourages healthy work-life balance, with set working hours (with the exception of events) and hybrid and flexible in-person and remote office operations.

• Forge encourages parents and caretakers to apply for the role, and aspires to be a supportive workspace for candidates with families and community responsibilities.

HOW TO APPLY 

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume to [email protected]. This position will remain open until filled and applications submitted on or before May 5, 2026 will receive a full review.

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Studies show that people from certain underrepresented groups, including women and disabled people, are less likely to apply for jobs if they don't meet all of the criteria. If this is you, we encourage you to apply anyway! 

Forge is developing a model for carefully considered ethics of relation that disrupt the often extractive and transactional status quo. As such, we are committed to expanding the presence of Indigenous, disabled, 2SLGBTQIA+, and BIPOC individuals in nonprofit strategy and development, and we are seeking candidates who are excited about this opportunity for growth within this values framework.

Forge Project is an equal opportunity employer, committed to having an inclusive and transparent environment where every voice is heard and acknowledged. We embrace our differences, and know that our diverse team is a strength that drives our success.

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Forge Project is committed to developing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodation, please email Operations Director, Paloma Wake, at [email protected] and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.