Executive Assistant I - 61110036

State of South Carolina • Richland County, SC

6d • Onsite

About The Position

South Carolina First Steps is seeking a hardworking and dependable candidate to apply for the Executive Assistant I position. This position will offer great benefits with the state, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more depending on applicable state service. A cover letter and resume are required by the agency to be considered for this position. The Executive Assistant serves as the primary administrative partner to the Agency Director, providing high-level, complex administrative and project management support to advance the agency's mission. This position manages complex schedules and calendaring, high-level correspondence, and special initiatives. The Executive Assistant serves as the administrative liaison to the SC First Steps Board of Trustees and the Early Childhood Advisory Council overseeing meeting logistics, official documentation, and compliance with the Freedom of Information Act(FOIA). This position provides administrative and procurement backing to the senior management team, assists with interagency workgroups, and in the execution of internal events and staff meetings. Working under the SC First Steps Executive Director, employee must have the ability to work independently and collaboratively to accomplish responsibilities, goals and projects. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; strong interpersonal and customer service capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and professionally with executive-level leadership, public officials, and the general public. Proven ability to exercise a high degree of discretion, sound judgment, and initiative when handling sensitive, confidential, and high-impact agency matters. Strong time management and organizational skills; demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and minimal supervision. Ability to understand and apply statutory meeting requirements, official minutes transcription standards, and public compliance rules, including the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Exhibits proactive initiative, adaptability, and a strong willingness to support collaborative agency goals, internal culture-building events, and cross-functional teams. Provides primary high-level support to the Agency Director. performing routine and complex duties to support the mission of the agency. Serves as a primary point of contact for internal and external constituents. Maintains the Agency Director's calendar by planning and scheduling meetings, conferences, and teleconferences. Conserves the Agency Director's time by reading, researching, and routing correspondence and drafting letters. documents, and meeting agendas. Coordinates travel itineraries and processes associated travel and expense reconciliations for the Agency Director. Provides high-level coordination and project management support for programs, special projects, and strategic initiatives as assigned. Serves as the principal administrative and governance liaison to the SC First Steps Board of Trustees and the Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC). Oversees comprehensive meeting logistics. including scheduling board and committee meetings, preparing and distributing official board packets, and facilitating communication to Trustees as directed by the Agency Director. Transcribes official minutes for all public proceedings and ensures agency compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including public notices and records retention. Manages essential board documentation, including mileage reimbursements. personnel records, and Entity lists, while providing high-level operational support to Trustees. Serves as an active member of the Internal Events Team, working in close collaboration with the Human Resources Manager to plan, coordinate, and execute meetings and other professional development activities. Acts as an ambassador for the Agency Director to promote a cohesive organizational culture by supporting positive relationships and strong communication consistently. Provides administrative and logistical assistance to ensure the successful delivery of agency-wide connection events. Provides essential administrative support to the senior management team to facilitate cross-agency communication and alignment. Serves as an operational backup to the Facilities Manager and collaborates with and provides dedicated administrative assistance to internal and external workgroups to support the execution of the agency's mission and strategic goals. Performs other duties as assigned by the Agency Director.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree and a minimum of three to five (3-5) years of high-level administrative or executive support experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and extensive administrative experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and professionally with executive-level leadership, public officials, and the general public.
• Proven ability to exercise a high degree of discretion, sound judgment, and initiative when handling sensitive, confidential, and high-impact agency matters.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and minimal supervision.
• Ability to understand and apply statutory meeting requirements, official minutes transcription standards, and public compliance rules, including the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
• Exhibits proactive initiative, adaptability, and a strong willingness to support collaborative agency goals, internal culture-building events, and cross-functional teams.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience providing administrative support to executive level leadership, and/or Board of Trustees.
• Prior professional experience within South Carolina state government, a state agency, or a higher education institution is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provides primary high-level support to the Agency Director, performing routine and complex duties to support the mission of the agency.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for internal and external constituents.
• Maintains the Agency Director's calendar by planning and scheduling meetings, conferences, and teleconferences.
• Conserves the Agency Director's time by reading, researching, and routing correspondence and drafting letters, documents, and meeting agendas.
• Coordinates travel itineraries and processes associated travel and expense reconciliations for the Agency Director.
• Provides high-level coordination and project management support for programs, special projects, and strategic initiatives as assigned.
• Serves as the principal administrative and governance liaison to the SC First Steps Board of Trustees and the Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC).
• Oversees comprehensive meeting logistics, including scheduling board and committee meetings, preparing and distributing official board packets, and facilitating communication to Trustees as directed by the Agency Director.
• Transcribes official minutes for all public proceedings and ensures agency compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including public notices and records retention.
• Manages essential board documentation, including mileage reimbursements, personnel records, and Entity lists, while providing high-level operational support to Trustees.
• Serves as an active member of the Internal Events Team, working in close collaboration with the Human Resources Manager to plan, coordinate, and execute meetings and other professional development activities.
• Acts as an ambassador for the Agency Director to promote a cohesive organizational culture by supporting positive relationships and strong communication consistently.
• Provides administrative and logistical assistance to ensure the successful delivery of agency-wide connection events.
• Provides essential administrative support to the senior management team to facilitate cross-agency communication and alignment.
• Serves as an operational backup to the Facilities Manager and collaborates with and provides dedicated administrative assistance to internal and external workgroups to support the execution of the agency's mission and strategic goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Agency Director.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices
• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive