Senior Executive Assistant at Sound Transit in Seattle, WA

Senior Executive Assistant

Salary range is $25.48/hr to $71.63/hr with a midpoint of $48.56/hr. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This is a term-limited position with an expected position duration of 5 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general supervision, the Senior Executive Assistant provides the full range of comprehensive administrative office support work to an executive director of a department or similar level, requiring the application of specialized technical/administrative knowledge and the exercise of initiative, independent judgment, and decision making. It is distinguished from the Senior Administrative Specialist and Project Administration Specialist in that the major duties performed are more administrative in nature and secretarial/clerical duties may be performed less frequently with notable accountability for the work results; and positions generally spend more time performing and/or coordinating administrative support functions such as serves as liaison with regard to programs, policies, procedures, and assigned functions for the department; coordinates executive directors schedules and meeting calendars; coordinates department’s process flow; coordinates departmental budget development and quarterly budget reporting; coordinates purchasing and financial issues and contracts; makes process improvement decisions, and at times, takes the lead role on assigned projects; coordinates communications with other agency departments, divisions, and outside agencies on behalf of the executive director and the department; coordinates department status report for executive director and coordinates personnel processes for the department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Serves as first point of contact between the department/program and external entities; receives inquiries and complaints from a variety of sources; provides information and assistance including responding to sensitive requests for information and assistance; gathers information and prepares letters, reports or memoranda in response to complex or general issues; prepares reports and supporting documentation on issues external to the department or issues having a high impact on the department and Agency; collects and compiles statistical, financial, and other information for a variety of reports.
• Performs and/or coordinates administrative/technical duties for an executive director or other similar level position within the department; researches and composes documents and/or correspondence for review/signature; prepares selected correspondence, manuals, and reports as directed; reviews and checks documents and records for accuracy, completeness, and conformance with applicable rules and regulations; prepares and files legal pleadings in accordance with court rules as appliable, prepares and/or assists in the preparation of agendas, notices, minutes, announcements, applications, resolutions, and other documents; prepares executive director for meetings by ensuring she/he has support materials needed for each meeting; provides calendar printout of daily meeting schedule; and coordinates all meeting logistics, car reservations, directions, room reservations, equipment, beverages, and meals.
• Performs administrative support duties such as maintaining meeting calendars; sorting and distributing department and executive directors mail as appropriate; taking and transcribing minutes for meetings; coordinates and monitors defined projects and activities within department and recommends actions and modifications as appropriate; maintains records of departmental expenditures; assists in preparation of department budget estimates; collects and compiles statistical, financial, and other information for special or periodic reports; manages departmental contract processes and proactively advises managers of contract deadlines; initiates and troubleshoots invoice payments and change orders, as well as processing agency-wide dues/memberships, via intra-departmental collaboration; financial troubleshooting.
• Ensures department administrative functions run smoothly; provides direct support to executive director’s office activities and functions, as well as assistance to staff when needed, and especially in divisions that do not have administrative help; operates a variety of office equipment; acts as contact for all business machine issues; utilizes various computer applications and software packages; oversees the ordering of supplies and stocking of department; updates and maintains databases; performs special assignments to include research, gathering records for public disclosure, and providing documents for construction claims and/or discovery for litigation; manages project deadlines, files and information for condemnation, cost recovery project, and other issues as needed; serves as liaison for outside counsel for information gathering; coordinates and assists with a variety of department personnel related functions including coordinating personnel process for the department, handling confidential employee information, and ensures new employees have the equipment, software, supplies, and basic information needed to work at Sound Transit; provides basic training to new department administrative support staff; and maintains and updates department training notebook; coordinates staff travel including completion of travel preauthorization form, travel expense claim, and travel card reconciliation; ensures travelers understand Sound Transit travel policy; manages the executive director’s office organization and filing, which includes highly sensitive files; ensures compliance with records management policies and procedures; responsible for SharePoint site organization and updates; and plans and organizes department events.
• Oversees the operation of the department office and makes recommendations for efficiencies; maintains complex filing systems; monitors effectiveness of current office procedures and determines the need to change procedures to meet department goals/needs; writes office management procedures; provides guidance to support staff including training, assigning work, and monitoring performance; and coordinates department office space planning ensuring cubicle space is available when needed for employees, consultants, and auditors.
• Provides support to the Executive Director and others as assigned; serves on a variety of committees as assigned; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a closely related field. Four years of experience providing administrative support functions for an executive level director or similar level in a large department or organization that includes coordinating administrative support functions such as schedules, budget/procurement, and special projects; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of assigned functions, programs, and departmental operations.
• Work organization and office management principles and practices.
• Processes, procedures, and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices of fiscal, statistical, and administrative research and report preparation.
• Customer service and public relations methods and techniques.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Basics principles and practices used in establishing and maintaining files and information retrieval systems.
• Communication techniques and strategies to facilitate responding to inquiries and routing calls and customers to the appropriate staff member.
• Administrative practices for office management.
• Basic bookkeeping practices.
• Basic mathematical principles.
• Methods and techniques of proper phone etiquette.
• Basic principles of business letter and report writing.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Understanding the organization and operation of the Agency and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Applying principles and practices specific to department and area of assignment.
• Demonstrating a positive customer service orientation with both internal and external clients.
• Performing responsible and difficult administrative support duties involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative and resourcefulness.
• Participating in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets.
• Researching, compiling, analyzing, and interpreting data.
• Preparing clear, concise reports, correspondence, and memoranda.
• Implementing and maintaining filing systems.
• Typing and entering data, taking and transcribing dictation at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Planning and organizing work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Applying appropriate oral and written communication techniques to various individuals.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.
• Interpreting and applying applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations as it pertains to assigned area.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.
• This position will be expected to work four days per week in the office.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.