Administrative Specialist (Entry-Level!) - Public Safety / Fire Prevention

Administrative Specialist

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Are you a clerical guru with exceptional customer service? Our Public Safety and Fire Prevention division is in need of an Administrative Specialist to help greet the public and answer the phone, ensuring the front office is maintained and running smoothly. Examples of additional job responsibilities include receiving, sorting, and delivering the mail and helping to answer all incoming inquiries/concerns regarding permits, inspections, etc.

This position is entry-level and is a great opportunity to start your career in our Emergency Services department or with the county as a whole! There are numerous opportunities for development, the pay starts between $19.87 - $20.25, based upon experience, and benefits begin within 60 days of hire. Apply today to begin a stable career, known for its impact on the community!

In this role, you will provide clerical and administrative support for the office of the Fire Prevention Branch. This position has a high level of customer interaction and will build and foster positive working relationships, maintaining an excellent customer service standard when interfacing with both internal and external customers. Examples of job responsibilities can be found below...

• Answer the telephone and greet the public, screening the information presented and either routing or directing the inquiry to the appropriate staff members.
• Office duties include but are not limited to - filing, copying, and maintenance of office supply inventory.
• Receive, sort and deliver mail to various staff members assigned to Station Administrative Offices.
• Contact appropriate inspector(s) to assure coordination with construction industry, business owner(s) and/or property owner(s).
• Handle calls for various building permitting, inspections or plan review inquiries; provide assistance to customers regarding various Fire permit requests, on-line permit issues, scheduling inspections and troubleshoots inspection scheduling issues/concerns.
• Refer customers to appropriate areas to address or secure answers to questions about permit building division services.
• Initiate, process and complete re-inspection and/or extension requests and assure proper approval from Fire Marshal.
• Process customer inquiries and make decisions in accordance with applicable ordinances, regulations and unit policies.
• Research files, databases, internet, GIS and maps for a variety of source background materials.
• Provide information for all types of payments for fees related to inspections, false alarms, etc.
• Utilize the adopted Fee Ordinance to provide permit fee information.
• Assist in the processes of the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), preparing them for data entry, issuance to the State Fire Marshal's Office, and processing copies for those homeowners, insurance adjusters, and other agencies (Red Cross) requesting copies for verification of the incident (approx. 7000/year).

Work Hours:

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week.
• Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent education (GED).
• 0 - 2 years of business-related experience/exposure. Must possess an aptitude and willingness to learn!

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of Excel, Word, printer/copiers, phone etiquette and computer input.

Physical Demands: Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.

Starting Pay Range: $19.87 - $20.25, based upon experience.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

• I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options:
• If your position requires a Florida Driver's License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver's License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)
• U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)

Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!

Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations.

Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)

Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.