Senior Administrative Assistant

Salary : $49,524.80 Annually
Location : Durango, La Plata County, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 260603.1655.1615
Department: Sheriff's Office
Division: Admin
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
Closing Date: 6/21/2026 4:00 PM Mountain


Job Application Fairness Act

In accordance with CO SB23-058, applicants understand that La Plata County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that La Plata County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.


Equal Employment Opportunity

La Plata County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your request to


This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities for this job. The duties, expectations and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.


Job Summary
Oversees, coordinates and performs complex administrative or technical functions in a specialized field to support a department or division. Examples of duties include: composing correspondence; developing various, complex reports by researching and gathering information/statistics; coordinating and attending meetings and composing minutes; coordinating and overseeing the administrative functions of department programs and activities; and tracking budget expenditures and assisting in the preparation of the budget; serves as lead staff member.

Essential Job Functions
Essential functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.

Carries out lead staff member responsibilities including: training in job skills, assigning and directing work; making recommendations in performance appraisal; and reporting problems to supervisor; may deal with sensitive and confidential personnel matters at the direction senior level staff and/or the department director.

Coordinates department programs, processes and records, including: preparing files; maintaining confidential records, documents and correspondence, purging records and files and assuring that reporting processes and procedures and followed; creating and maintaining filing systems; scheduling and coordinating services.

Prepares complex, routine and non-routine reports utilizing a variety of software; receives, sorts, and summarizes material for the preparation of daily, monthly and annual reports; prepares work reports; develops charts and graphs; relays and interprets administrative decisions, policies and instructions; performs specialized research and statistical work on assigned subjects for staff and management makes recommendation based on research.

Interacts with a variety of high-level individuals, both internally and within the community to provide information, disseminate departmental information and assist in resolving administrative issues.

Composes and prepares letters, memos, notices, agendas, reports or other correspondence in accordance with standard policies; proofs correspondence and related documents of staff; composes confidential correspondence and maintains files associated with same; processes routine and non-routine matters independently.

Maintains department or division financial records; oversees department purchasing, accounts payable and accounts receivable processes including: coordinating orders; ordering and maintaining supplies; receiving and reconciling shipments with purchase orders; preparing invoices for payment; posting charges; posting and processing checks; monitoring accounts; collecting fees; preparing deposits; and maintaining petty cash.

Maintains department personnel files, including: maintaining employment, training and certification records; and tracking and filing employee evaluations; prepares new hire information for department or division staff, including: obtaining position and salary information; obtaining copies of documents, fingerprints and photographs; completing personnel actions and related forms; obtaining signatures; conducting background checks, licensing information and other investigative information and verifies information at the request of staff; preparing related paperwork; processes information for terminated employees; prepares exit forms.

Coordinates various payroll processes and related personnel information, including: payroll time sheets; researching missing time sheets; reviewing/completing computations and leave designations; verifying signatures and account distribution of hours; forwarding to Finance; distributing payroll checks and related information to employees; and maintaining related files.

Develops, communicates, and monitors policies, procedures, and standards for the department; recommends improvement when necessary.

Serves as secretary to various boards/committees; attends meetings, prepares minutes, recommendations, etc., and distributes related information; processes appeals; schedules hearings/meetings.

Coordinates permits and other application processes, including: reviewing and processing permits/applications; entering information into computer system; issuing permits; receiving and receipting fees; managing permit record system; researching permits; and assisting customers with questions.
Assists in researching, purchasing and implementing computer software; maintains and updates software programs.

Updates, maintains, organizes and distributes directives and bulletins; prepares newsletters, directories, brochures, etc., including: collecting data; writing articles, designing the layout; and printing and distributing; updates and maintains information systems and web site information.

Answers, screens and/or routes incoming telephone calls; provides information to callers, receives citizen complaints, and directs calls and messages to appropriate person.

Interviews, screens, greets visitors and the general public; provides customer service and support; responds to inquiries and directs individuals to the appropriate area or assists them with information on departmental services and functions.

Assists in the formulation of the budget, including: making recommendations; preparing forms; collecting budget data; typing, calculating, and coordinating completion of budget; maintaining/tracking budget accounts/records throughout year; balancing and reconciling budget; preparing financial reports and producing budget book; preparing transfer memos; and attending budget meetings/hearings.

Coordinates and schedules appointments, meetings, or reservations at the request of staff; prepares the location, photocopies materials and prepares agendas; distributes staff calendars of schedules; coordinates travel arrangements; makes reservations; evaluates cost impact for budget purposes.

Reports administrative and/or operational problems to supervisor.

IMPORTANT JOB FUNCTIONS :

Assists in preparing and filing legal documents.

Assists in determining eligibility of clients for various programs and services offered by the department.

Maintains office machinery; performs basic preventative maintenance and repairs.

Plans, prepares and presents training programs.

Retrieves, opens, stamps, sorts, and distributes incoming mail; prepares and processes outgoing mail, mass mailings, etc.; determines appropriate routing for correspondence; receives and distributes faxes and email; and checks voice mail.

Provides notary services.

Establishes, adapts, maintains and reviews procedures to simplify office procedures.

Catalogues and maintains department brochures and literature.

Photocopies reports, maps, memos, and other documents for requesting parties; develops various forms.

Disseminates a variety of information to various agencies, divisions, or departments via telephone, mail or FAX.

May serve as backup for other positions within the department.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Regular and predictable attendance is required.

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED :

General office equipment, computer

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of:

General office procedures, policies and practices, as well as basic knowledge of computer and other general office equipment.

Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Office administrative and secretarial practices and procedures, such as business letter writing.


Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.

Accounting and budgeting principles and practices.

Customer service techniques.
Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.

All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.

External governmental bodies and agencies related to area of assignment.

Contract management.

Skill in:

Organizing, assigning, leading and reviewing the work of staff.

Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.

Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.

Using a computer to accurately and rapidly enter and retrieve data and information.

Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines and following up assignments with a minimum of direction.

Typing from rough draft or printed text at a rate of 50 net words per minute.

Taking and transcribing notes.

Communicating orally and in writing with internal staff, citizens, and other departmental staff in order to give and receive information in a courteous manner.

Operating and routine maintenance of general office machines such as copiers, facsimile machines, telephone systems, and two-way radio base stations.

Analyzing and resolving office administrative situations and problems.

Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.


Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; understanding, interpreting and communicating complicated policies, procedures and protocols.

Proofreading copy.

Ability to:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and so forth.

Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions, giving close attention to detail and accuracy.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.

Ability to rapidly and accurately take and transcribe oral or tape dictation through the use of speed writing, shorthand, or dictating equipment (at the discretion of the supervisor).

Ability to draft and type correspondence.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Ability to act with discretion and maintain confidentiality.

While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull and/or lift up to 10 pounds occasionally.


Non-Discrimination and EEO Statement

La Plata County prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with La Plata County on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or genetic information.
La Plata County is an equal opportunity employer and assures equal employment opportunities for protected classes, persons with disabilities and for covered veterans. Covered veterans include: special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge was authorized.
Inquiries regarding La Plata County's equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to:
Director of Human Resources

1101 E 2nd Avenue

Durango, CO 81301

Tel: View phone number on click.appcast.io

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Email: View email address on click.appcast.io
La Plata County offers an extensive comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, paid parental leave and long term disability.

For a complete description of our benefits, please visit our
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Have you ever been suspected, investigated, charged, or convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation? Please note: A DUI is NOT considered a minor traffic violation and must be disclosed. A conviction will net necessarily disqualify you form employment. If you answer "YES" to this question, please provided a detailed explanation as to the when, where, what, why, and how pertaining to any situation which would require you to answer "YES". Include date, charge, jurisdiction and disposition.
Required Question