Education Staff Assistant

The State of Connecticut Department of Education (SDE) is recruiting for an Education Staff Assistant position. The Education Staff Assistant in the Office of the State Board of Education (SBE) will assist the Board and Commissioner in providing assistance for all administrative duties for 15 member board (Travel documents, mileage reimbursements, weekly calendars, ethics forms, etc.); drafting monthly SBE meeting agenda and timelines; preparing agenda summary for Commissioner, SBE Chair and Vice Chair; tracking and monitoring SBE agenda items; tracking SBE follow up correspondence; working with the Commissioner’s Office and SDE Leadership Team to prepare SBE Agenda Planning document;  preparing SBE meeting packets for distribution to board members, outside recipient; taking minutes at monthly Board meetings and maintaining official SBE records in accordance with Records Retention laws; updating the SBE Website as necessary; formatting/downloading monthly reports and attachments for posting to the SBE website; posting monthly agendas per regulations – Secretary of the State, SDE Website and working with staff on agenda revisions/additions/deletions, working with staff on SBE presentations; working with Internal Operations and IT staff on SBE meeting room preparation; assisting SBE Chair/Vice Chair/Commissioner in governing operations at SBE meetings (roll call, quorum, amendments, etc.); assisting with annual search for Student SBE member; maintaining SBE e-mail inbox; performing other duties as required by the SBE or Secretary.  This position may be required to travel.  The position is located at 450 Columbus Blvd in Hartford, CT, and is 12-month position, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Applicants are required to submit a resume with details of experience and training on the resume tab with their submission. (Note: In order to upload documents you must ensure that your internet browser’s ‘pop-up’ blocker is off. Failure to do so may prevent you from being able to upload documentation and submit your application.)

Questions about  this recruitment and these required documents should be directed to the Department of Education human resources office:  Debra.Paradis@ct.gov or (860)713-6695.

In the Department of Education assists the Secretary, State Board of Education, in the performance of special assignments in matters pertaining to educational policy and other State Board responsibilities.

Acts as an executive assistant to the Secretary, State Board of Education; prepares policy materials for presentation to the State Board of Education; may work with representatives of the State, Federal, Local and Legislative agencies on educational matters; prepares reports on matters of concern to the State Board of Education as required; participates in the planning of educational goals and strategies; coordinates the dissemination of information to interested parties; assists in the organization and staffing of units of the Department; may assist in developing the State Board of Education agenda; performs research projects as directed; does related duties as required.

Knowledge of the basic philosophy of education; knowledge of organizational behavior and planning; ability to plan educational policy; ability to prepare comprehensive reports; ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships; administrative ability; considerable skill in oral and written expression.

Demonstrated competence to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position as determined by the State Board of Education.

Preferred candidates will possess:

• Bachelor’s degree;
• at least three years experience in providing high-level executive support to a state or local board of education;
• experience in a fast-paced, executive level environment with excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills;
• experience in providing high-level confidential support utilizing advanced problem-solving and interpersonal skills;
• experience in working with state, federal, local and legislative agencies on educational matters;
• experience in planning and coordination of state or local board of education meetings, including meeting statutory posting requirements, electronic posting of board agenda and meeting materials, taking meeting minutes and recording resolution votes;
• experience in office administration and management including knowledge of State Department of Education and State Board of Education procedures and policies;
• knowledge and oversight of customer services;
• knowledge of travel and procurement procedures; 
• effective communication skills for daily interactions with State Board of Education, educators, school districts, families and general public;
• experience in proofreading complex and technical documents for grammatical errors;
• experience operating office equipment which includes personal computers, iPads and other electronic equipment utilizing CORE-CT, Microsoft Office applications including MSWord, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint;
• experience using varied communications (composing complex letters and/or memoranda, board reports, etc.);
• experience working with the public, districts, etc., as well as working alongside all levels of staff – professional, support and management.

Must hold an appropriate certificate issued by the State Board of Education.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.