Office Support Specialist Job Description Municipal Government

Current job title: Office Support Specialist

Industry: Municipal government (county)

Department: Board of Supervisors (legislative)

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, just good administrative skills

Number of managers and/or staff supported: I work for the Clerk to the Board and with the Deputy Clerk. Our office supports the county administrator and the five supervisors on the board

Typical work hours: 8 to 5 (40 hours per week)

Weekends or overtime hours: We rarely work weekends. I receive 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.): $24,900 to $36,900

Benefits (direct or indirect): All the usual—health, dental, life, retirement, deferred comp (small match by County). I pay for part of the health and dental.

Lingo you might hear in this industry:

• Ordinance—local law

• Municipal Clerk—one of the oldest public servants in government who acts as secretary to a local board or council and is responsible for keeping the board records

• Robert’s Rules of Order—the standardized rules of parliamentary procedure most municipalities use for their board/council meetings,

A typical day on the job: I handle the mail, answer the phones, write various types of documents, proof documents prepared by others, take minutes at meetings, prepare electronic agendas using Adobe Acrobat, help set up for board meetings, assist at special events, and act as records contact for my department

Positive things about being an administrative professional in this industry: Learning how local government works and being in the know about what’s going on

Negative things about being an administrative professional in this industry: The need to be aware of how my words and action’s may be perceived

Type of workspace/office: corner in file room

Primary responsibilities as an administrative professional in this position:

• Customer service—internal and external customers

• Taking and preparing minutes for the board and the Cable TV committee

• Maintaining good administrative and technical skills

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

• Good customer service skills
• Good administrative and technical skills
• Flexibility

Office machines or equipment operated regularly:

• Computer
• Scanner
• copier

Technology (hard) skills used regularly:

• Microsoft Office
• Adobe Acrobat

Critical soft skills:

• Good communication skills—our department has many internal and external customers

• Ability to read people—useful when dealing with politicians, officials, and the media

Pace of this position: Average paced with many periods of intense activity and occasional slow periods

Geographical region: Southeast U.S.