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.
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™