Administrative Specialist

City of Columbia•Columbia, SC

9d•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides highly responsible administrative, secretarial and clerical assistance to assigned department head, ensuring effective and efficient office operations. The role involves representing the City to the public and providing professional, courteous customer service. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision. The work is considered sedentary in nature and involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, mental acuity, repetitive motion, speaking, talking, visual acuity, and walking. The work environment involves exposure to no known environmental hazards and is relatively safe, secure, and stable.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Four (4) years of relevant prior experience
May be required to type 30 corrected wpm
Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License
Knowledge of basic algebra involving variables and formulas and/or basic geometry involving plane and solid figures, circumferences, areas and volumes, and/or computing discounts and interest rates
Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information
Ability to provide information, guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to helpers or assistants
Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner
Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving
Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form
Ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks requiring a wide range of procedures and requiring intensive understanding of a restricted field or complete familiarity with the functions of a unit or small division of an operating agency; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results or occasional exposure to unusual pressure
Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine

Responsibilities

Provides administrative and secretarial support to assigned supervisor, performing duties such as scheduling and coordinating meetings and appointments, researching and compiling data for reports and studies, composing and/or preparing routine and confidential reports and correspondence, and making travel and accommodations arrangements for staff.
Evaluates office operations and makes recommendations for changes to maintain office productivity and efficiency.
Assists supervisor in planning and implementing various department programs, activities, and services as assigned.
Composes, prepares, types, copies, files, processes, mails, and/or transmits various documents, which may include forms, correspondence, memos, presentation materials, reports, agreements, contracts, leases, and press releases.
Establishes and maintains the department’s filing system.
Attends meetings; prepares meeting agendas and packets; prepares and distributes meeting minutes; provides administrative and clerical support to various committees, commissions, and boards as required.
May provide technical and clerical assistance in the preparation of assigned budgets; may assist in administering grants; may monitor expenditures, process invoices, reconcile accounts, and prepare related financial records and reports.
Answers the telephone; provides accurate information to callers and/or forwards calls to appropriate personnel; takes messages as needed; greets and assists office visitors.
Performs other routine clerical work, including but not limited to copying and filing documents, sending and receiving faxes, entering and retrieving computer data, preparing spreadsheets, assembling materials, ordering supplies, processing daily mail, and maintaining lists and logs.
Receives, researches, and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance, and concerns from other City departments, agencies, organizations, professionals, and the public.
Assists supervisor in coordinating department activities with those of other departments and agencies as appropriate.
Provides leadership of assigned clerical staff; offers training, advice, and assistance as necessary.
Procures office goods and services.
Serves as the liaison between supervisor and others.
Attends staff, committee, and City meetings as required; may represent supervisor at various meetings as requested.
Attends training, meetings, seminars, and/or workshops to enhance job knowledge and skills.
Performs other related duties as assigned.