HOW TO BE A BETTER ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL

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Featured Administrative Professional Job Description:  Government - Space

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Current job title:  Administrative Assistant

 

Industry:  Space Systems Division

 

Department: 

 

Years worked in this industry:  less than 2

 

Years worked in this department:  less than 2

 

Special training or attributes needed or helpful to get job in this industry (or specific department):  I went to college for computer programming, plus hardware and software knowledge. I needed to know software applications such as Microsoft Office Professional (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, etc). One must be flexible and have a positive attitude.

 

Number of managers and/or staff supported:  Staff of 46
Managers 3

 

Typical work hours:  7:00am to 4:00pm

 

Weekends or overtime hours:   I don’t work weekends, if they wanted me too I would. Once in a while I need to work 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.):   $26,000 to $35,000

 

Benefits (direct or indirect):  yes

 

Lingo you might hear in this industry: 

SSD: Space Science Division
JWST: James Webb Space Telescope

 

A typical day on the job: 

1. PC input/ Outlook mail
2. Meetings
2. Phones
3. Working on computer
4. Printer
5. Book travel
6. Change in schedules/ reschedule
7. Communication

 

Positive things about being an administrative professional in this industry:  

1. Always a challenge/ constant change.
2. Work as a team/ and help team members.
3. Work with interesting people.

 

Negative things about being an administrative professional in this industry: 

1. Never know what to expect.
2. Must anticipate change.
3. Digest the whole before acting.

 

Type of workspace/office:  large cubicle

 

Primary responsibilities as an administrative professional in this position: 

1. Calendaring / set up meetings/ answer mail in outlook/ Web meeting and video conferencing between customers.

2. Answer phone/ communication

3. Travel arrangements

4. Set up Conferences with Customers 50 – 100 people

5. Computer Work: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Visio, & Publisher

 

Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement: 

1. Experience in Computers software
2. Know the internet for communication to customer
3. Must be flexible and have a positive spirit or can do spirit.

 

Office machines or equipment operated regularly: 

1. PC
2. Copier
3. Fax machine
4. Printers
5. Video equipment/ Web access/ polycom
6. Scanner
7. CD Burner
8. Plotter
9. KMX
10. Call Pilot works off of Outlook and the PC.

 

Technology (hard) skills used regularly: 

1. PC
2. Phone
3. Printer/ Fax
4. Copier
5. Scanner
6. Plotter
7. Video Equipment/polycom

 

Critical soft skills: 

1. Negotiating working with contracts/ travel agents.
2. Good communication, positive attitude working with customer.
3. Able to adapt to fast pace changes.
4. Team Skills
5. Problem solving skill

 

Pace of this position:  fast

 

Geographical region:  Northeast U.S.