Current job title: Administrative
Assistant
Industry: Non-profit service agency
Department: Early Intervention
Years worked in this industry: 3
Years worked in this department: 3
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): No special
training required; my previous experience and the varied nature of my
previous job duties definitely helped me get this job
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: 4 managerial supervisory and
approximately 45 regular staff members
Typical work hours: 8:00 to 4:30,
Monday through Friday
Weekends or overtime hours: Very
rarely; if so I do get paid overtime
General salary range
(Note: This is a general figure or range provided by survey respondent and may
NOT be an exact salary in order to
give survey respondent some privacy. Also you must take into account that
the number of years worked in industry/department may contribute to this
salary as well as criteria such as level of position and person reports
to, required hours and geographical location.): $11.50 to
$15.00
Benefits (direct or indirect): Medical
and dental benefits, life insurance, 403(b), 3 weeks vacation in first
year of employment
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
Early Intervention: state mandated program that provides services for
children aged birth to 3 years with developmental delays
IFSP: Individualized family service plan which is developed with the
family to pinpoint specific needs of the child/family and how service will
be provided
Service Provider: professional staff member, some with advanced degrees,
who act as “home visitors” and provide specialized physical therapy,
speech therapy and occupational therapy for children in the Early
Intervention program
A typical day on the job: Supervise
administrative staff of three, as well as provide administrative support to
management; office management, much record-keeping; lots of phone time –
staff who are on the road most of the time, introducing callers to the
Early Intervention program, scheduling evaluations for potential
candidates for the program; very little downtime!!
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Lots of variety in my job and
job description; have pretty much been able to make this job “my own”;
minimal supervision required and lots of trust by my supervisor that I
will do what needs to be done
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Just one – salary, salary,
salary…(non profit!)
Type of workspace/office:
office (share with one employee)
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: Supervision of three support
staff; overall office management, including physical layout, maintenance,
etc.; recordkeeping (includes state and federal required records); payroll
for 30 staff
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement: Strong
organizational and multi-tasking skills; able to work with minimal
supervision; previous supervisory and office management experience
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Computer, fax machine, copy machines, printers
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
General troubleshooting and maintenance; we do have an outside company
that provides the actual technological support
Critical soft skills: Good
communication (able to interact with employees at all levels of the
organization) and to be able to keep support staff motivated and
communicate properly what the needs of the program and the agency are. My
supervisor is [a high level director] of the agency, so it is important that I communicate positively and
appropriately with upper level management of the entire agency. It is also
very important to be able to communicate with those employees that I
supervise so that the office and office functions run smoothly.
Pace of this position: Average
(occasional fast)
Geographical region: Northeast U.S.