ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST

Description This position provides highly responsible administrative, secretarial and clerical assistance to assigned department head, ensuring effective and efficient office operations; represents the City to the public and provide professional, courteous customer service at all times; and performs related duties as assigned. 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. Work environment involves exposure to no known environmental hazards; and is relatively safe, secure, and stable. Essential Job Functions Provides administrative and secretarial support to assigned supervisor, performing such duties 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, making travel and accommodations arrangements for staff, etc.; Evaluates office operations and makes recommendations for changes in order 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, press releases, etc.; 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, maintaining lists and logs, etc.; 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; and Performs other related duties as assigned Qualifications MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK: 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, Skills, And Abilities 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; Knowledge of personal computer equipment with skill in the use of Microsoft Office preferred, utilizing Outlook and word processing software programs; 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; and 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. The City of Columbia is proud to offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees. This package includes health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Part-time or temporary employees, including interns, are not eligible for City benefits. #J-18808-Ljbffr