Job Specification

Position Title:
Administrative Assistant
Job Code:
08OAD - Office Administration 08
Job ID:
116301

Purpose of Position :

To provide a range of administrative, clerical, and related support services, to assigned team(s), assigned manager(s) and related programs. Respond to general public inquiries. To perform these functions in English and French for designated positions.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Providing word processing services by producing a variety of documents which many include but are not limited to: correspondence, memoranda, reports, charts, contracts, licenses, speeches, contentious issue reports, briefing notes, minutes, FIPPA requests, social invitation summaries, project proposals, newsletters, complex presentation packages and project reports including graphics.
2. Proof reading and editing material to ensure applicable formatting and accuracy of grammar, spelling and punctuation, using various software applications and manipulating stored data as necessary to reformat, update and revise; submitting to appropriate Manager or unit staff for approval and distributing appropriately.
3. Computer operation and relevant software to perform administrative and clerical support functions such as preparing correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, charts, presentations slides, updating website, sending and receiving electronic mail which may include operation of but are not limited to: SMIS, Serious Occurrence Data Base, FIPPA Data Base, Adoption/Crown Ward, PACE, OCMS, WIN, IFIS, SAMS, ECMS, etc.
4. Receiving, opening, sorting and distributing incoming electronic mail and hard copy mail, faxes, and internet messages and managing outgoing
internal and external distribution of information, mail, scanned documents and faxes, Canada Post and courier, including mass mail outs where necessary; attaching relevant files/background information prior to distribution as appropriate. Management of manual and automated mailing lists (including service provider component of SMIS).

5. Providing reception services by answering internal and external phone calls, greeting visitors and responding to enquiries based on knowledge of Ministry/Regional Office programs/functions/procedures, directing /forwarding phone calls/inquires to appropriate staff.

6. Establishing and/or maintaining unit or section filing system and bring forward system, containing letters, memoranda, reports, minutes, employees' or clients' files to ensure compliance with process deadlines i.e. action and information requests, briefing notes.

7. Maintaining appointment calendars, organizing events, coordinating appointment schedules and making arrangements for travel, accommodation, meetings, conferences, video or teleconferences, luncheons including booking boardrooms and equipment and making hospitality arrangements, preparing agendas and taking meeting minutes.

8. Performing a variety of administrative/clerical tasks such as: preparing and submitting attendance reports, human resources documentation, updating manuals, maintaining petty cash, checking invoices/travel claims, keeping inventory/assets control, ordering supplies, and/or switchboard relief, logging and tracking (i.e. cheques, reports, information/action requests), records retention, retrieval of files from storage/archive, photocopying, maintaining office equipment and supplies, identifying and arranging telephone equipment needs.
9. Providing back-up support to other office Administrative Assistants and other clerical staff during peak work periods, short and long-term absences including Compressed Work Week, breaks, lunch periods, illnesses and vacation.
10. Manager has the right to assign additional duties.

Staffing and Licencing :

Proficiency in oral French at the Advanced level and written French at the Advanced Minus level

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of administrative/office procedures and guidelines and practices according to ministry and business processes such as: TP budget and reporting cycle, routing and preparing correspondence and issue management (reporting, filing), processing invoices, expense claims, procedures for shredding, shredding confidential documents, establishing and maintaining filing systems, ordering office supplies. Job requires knowledge of various Ministry programs and relevant ministry legislation to respond to general inquires both orally and in writing, or knowing where to refer inquires. Job requires knowledge of various computer software programs such as Word, e-mail, Windows, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc to produce letters, memoranda, reports, contracts, chart tables, graphics, spreadsheets, licenses, presentation material by utilizing a variety of features such as formatting, merging, etc. Job requires knowledge to operate office equipment such as photocopiers, scanners, facsimile, and word- processing equipment. Job requires knowledge of compilation methods to assemble and format data for reports. Job requires verbal and written communication skills to provide information or explanations to staff, supervisors, Ministry officials or general public.

Skills :

1) Job requires reasoning and problem solving skills to determine priorities when performing a variety of different tasks with conflicting deadlines and/or urgency, and to prioritize work based on knowledge of subject matter or by discussing with principles.
2) Job requires judgment to analyze and research pertinent information to respond appropriately to a variety of inquiries. Job requires analytical skills to determine the most effective ways to present materials when creating and formatting correspondence, reports, charts and tables by applying/ manipulating various layout formats or software packages.

3) Job requires oral and written communication skills to compose general correspondence based on brief verbal instruction provided by staff, to proofread all material for accuracy in grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure when typing letters, memoranda, contracts, newsletters and reports. Job requires oral communication skills, tact and courtesy to answer telephones, to greet visitors and to respond to a variety of general inquires about various program areas or to transfer calls to appropriate staff to deal with queries such as: from ADMO, DMO, MO, MPP's, transfer payment agencies, staff in corporate or other offices for information/clarification of issues.
4) Job requires organizational and prioritizing skills to manage own workload to ensure that assignments are completed within deadlines and established timeframes. Job requires interpersonal skills to work in a team environment.
5) Typing skills to a standard.
6) Technical Skills: Job requires knowledge and ability to operate office equipment such as computer, photocopiers, calculators, scanners and facsimile.

Freedom of Action :

Job works in accordance with established government/ministry administrative policies, procedures and standards. Job requires latitude in decision making to set priorities among multiple concurrent clerical/ administrative tasks while adhering to deadlines. Job requires access to administrative procedures and guidelines to make decisions relating to the format and routing of letters, briefing notes, contentious issue reports, action requests e.g. letters sent to clients on behalf of the Ministry and to resolve discrepancies relating to expenditure. Job requires determining the best layout or presentation formats when creating letters, reports, charts. Job requires determining and applying appropriate administrative policies and procedures, ensuring tact, diplomacy and confidentiality when responding to inquiries, referring them to appropriate sources of information as necessary. Job has the freedom to schedule appointments/meetings for assigned team(s), assigned manager(s). The work is reviewed by principals for content, accuracy and completeness.

The position refers matters outside established procedures or guidelines to the supervisor for guidance and/ or resolution.