Current job title: Department Secretary
and Data Technician
Industry: Education (residential
school)
Department: Outreach and Early
Childhood Administration
Years worked in this industry: 5
Years worked in this department: 5
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): I know ASL.
I had to have a strong background in computer programs (MS Office, Access,
Outlook, understand DOS and ftp)
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: 11 including directors,
supervisors and coordinators
Typical work hours: 7:30 – 4:30 with ½
hour for lunch
Weekends or overtime hours: I work
weekends and overtime once or twice a month and I do get paid if I ask for
the time in advance or if my boss tells me to work it.
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.): $13.00 -
$15.07/hour
Benefits (direct or indirect): It is a
state job, so I get all the insurance (health, dental, vision). We have a
gym on campus that we can use. If you have kids, especially deaf, daycare
is provided. We get half-day for Fiesta and some religious holidays
because of the [regional] culture.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
SIS – Student Identification System
FIT – Family Infant Toddler
PAN – Personnel Action Notice
A typical day on the job: I start by
checking emails (emails is the best way to communicate on a deaf campus,
so email is up all day), work with the database of the day, work on my in
box, get mail, create contracts or invoices, handle database input, make
my copies and file paperwork, answer questions, help with math on forms,
deal with office issues and ordering, walk across campus to make
deliveries, and eventually straighten out my desk so I can go home.
(Typically, I will eat lunch in my office)
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Since we are in a learning
environment, we are encouraged to continue education and attend workshops
that will benefit us as well as the school. We are allowed to be creative
with our work space, pictures of family, awards, stuffed animals, whatever
can be displayed.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: We do not get paid as much.
Type of workspace/office:
I have my main desk in the “lobby” which will soon have part-time secretary sharing the space.
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: Budgets, databases, student
tracking, requisitions and purchase orders, contracts
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
Attention to detail, organization to handle several projects and
supervisors, must have computer skills with certification
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Computer (all day every day), Copier, telephone, printer (troubleshooting
all electronic equipment, too)
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Knowledge of computer programs, accounting, sign language
Critical soft skills: Good
communication (written communication is a must), negotiating (our budgets
are always so small so I try to stretch the dollar), memory (I have to
remember all the rules and many account codes)
Pace of this position: Average and fast
during peak times
Geographical region: Southwest U.S.
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™