Current job title: Executive Assistant
Industry: School System
Department: Superintendent’s Office
Years worked in this industry: 22
Years worked in this department: 4
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): An
Associates Degree with a concentration in technology
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: The superintendent and 6
board members
Typical work hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. with availability after hours 2 to 4 times a month for board meetings
Weekends or overtime hours: I work
after 4:00 p.m. at least two times a month sometimes more and it is
considered part of my salary.
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.): $40,000 to
$70,000 depending on education, experience, and any longevity from other
positions within the school system.
Benefits (direct or indirect): Yes, I
have health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, life insurance,
and long-term disability coverage. Most at a minimal cost to me.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
NCLB – No Child Left Behind is a federal education initiative that sets
assessment and testing standards for all children. It also has local
ramifications if these standards are not met.
FaRMS – Free and Reduced Meals Standards – Identifies students and their
families through the National School Lunch Program/School Breakfast
Program who are eligible for free or reduced priced school meals. This
program also is used to identify schools, with large numbers of
disadvantaged students, for government subsidy education programs like
Title I, other federal and State education or State health programs, and
for National Assessment of Education Progress analyses or other authorized
purposes.
ESOL – English for Speakers of Other Languages is an instructional program
for students whose native language is not English.
A typical day on the job:
I field
complaint/concern calls from parents regarding discipline given to their
son/daughter by the principal of a school. I route them to the appropriate
person trying to get them to talk to someone a little closer to the school
setting and not starting with the Superintendent.
I handle all appeals to the Board of Education by parents, students, staff
who are not happy with a decision made by the Superintendent.
I attend and take notes at all meetings held by the Board of Education. I
transcribe those notes into formal minutes that are approved at a Board
meeting. I handle the online access to all board meeting agendas and
back-up materials.
I handle the confidential correspondence of the Superintendent and all
other duties as assigned.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: You get to see the inner
workings of the school system and how students get their curriculum.
School systems must work closely with their local government for funding.
This position affords you the opportunity to see how the two work
together, or not.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry:
Being aware of confidential or
sensitive information sometimes puts you in an awkward position when you
are interacting with other administrative assistants. Everyone wants to be
in the know and you cannot share.
After a day of many irate phone calls because of a controversial decision
by the Superintendent or the Board, you go home feeling beat-up.
Type of workspace/office:
office (adjoins the Superintendent).
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: Confidentiality, organization,
accuracy, friendly, and cooperative.
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
Maintains confidentiality of all correspondence and transactions for the
Superintendent and Board of Education.
Transmits instructions from the Superintendent and Board of Education and
conducts Board business as directed by the President of the Board of
Education.
Handles inquiries regarding Board policy, regulations, actions, etc.;
directs inquiries to appropriate staff as necessary, maintains good public
relations and presents positive image of the Superintendent’s office and
school system through contacts with staff, the public, and elected
officials.
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Multi-line telephone, computer, copier, transcription/audio equipment, and
video presentation equipment.
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
I take shorthand, use several software programs, program printers,
copiers, DVD players, and presentation equipment.
Critical soft skills: Good
communication, the ability to remain calm and to calm other people,
motivating others, working well with others, cooperation, accuracy, and
organized.
Pace of this position: average to fast
Geographical region: Mid-Atlantic U.S.
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™