Executive Assistant I

Job Responsibilities

Are you an experienced professional looking for new opportunities to further your career? South Carolina First Steps is seeking a hardworking and dependable candidate just like you to apply! 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 Responsibilities of the Executive Assistant I:

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.

Minimum and Additional 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.

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application will be required to bring a copy of college transcript to the interview. A copy of the transcript may also be uploaded as an attachment to the application, if required by the hiring department or if desired by the applicant. Please note that some areas of the Agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area, after hiring. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.

Preferred Qualifications

* 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.

Additional Comments

SC First Steps is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

SC First Steps offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

* Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children. Click here for additional information.

* 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 (S.C. Deferred Compensation)

* Retirement benefit choices*

* State Retirement Plan (SCRS)

* State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

* Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.