Current job title: Executive Assistant
Industry: state government
Department: Executive Director’s Office
Years worked in this industry: 2
Years worked in this department: 2
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): Qualified
applicants for this position had to possess executive level experience and
knowledge of working with Boards of Directors. Additionally, experience
with persons with disabilities was preferred. (We are a disability rights
advocacy and legal office.)
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: Primarily 1 with support to
others as needed.
Typical work hours: 7:30 – 4:30
Weekends or overtime hours: I
occasionally work weekends when preparing for a meeting and my time is
“comped” – giving me time off rather than overtime pay.
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.): $22,188 -
$45,539 (My experience exceeds the number of years in this specific
industry. I have been employed in the administrative field 26 years.)
Benefits (direct or indirect):
EXCELLENT benefits – besides the norm (health care, life insurance) we
also have tuition reimbursement, wonderful leave benefits including 12
days of paid leave (vacation) the first year, 8 days of sick leave the
first year, and 4 days of personal/sick family time. We also have a
wellness program which is provided as a benefit as nominal cost.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act
I&R – Information & Referral
TBI –
Traumatic Brain Injury
A typical day on the job: Typically,
there is no “typical” day – I support an executive director and that
means being very flexible.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Ability to work with
high-caliber colleagues, ability to interact with others and learn,
ability to grow in this position or learn other skills and promote
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: I honestly cannot identify
any.
Type of workspace/office:
office with windows
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: Organization, ability to
maintain confidentiality, ability to appropriately and professionally
represent the executive director
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
Ability to maintain confidentiality, organization, communication
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
PC and printer, copier, transcriber, fax, postage meter
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
PC with Office 2003 and all affiliated software
Critical soft skills: Tactfulness,
listening, good communication, negotiation. It is imperative that I listen
to individuals—constituents, coworkers—and assure that individuals are
allowed to voice their concerns. Many times, concerns are voiced to me and
I take the concerns to the executive director. That requires good
communication skills as well. It is also imperative that good
communication skills are maintained with Board and Council members,
caterers, hotels, etc.
Pace of this position: When preparing
for Board or other meetings, the pace is FAST. On other days, the pace is
average.
Geographical region:
Mid-Atlantic/Southeast U.S.
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™