STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Secretary 2

Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences

Recruitment #221125-7539CL-001

Introduction

Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) is a constituent unit of the Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR), Connecticut State Colleges and Universities.  As one of the State of Connecticut institutions of higher learning, this university offers undergraduate and graduate programs that weave together liberal arts and professional education and instill a desire for life-long learning. 

We are recruiting for a full-time Secretary 2 in The Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, located on the Midtown Campus at 181 White Street in Danbury, CT.  The Department of Biology is an active, vibrant academic department housed in the Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences.  Work hours will be Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  The incumbent will be responsible for the full range of secretarial support duties for the department chairperson, as well as wide variety of functional coverage and back-up support as needed to faculty and staff and will serve as a welcoming professional and student-centered first point of contact for students, faculty and staff.    Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Calendar management;
  • Front desk reception and telephone support for the Biology department;
  • Support to the 11 full-time and 8 part-time faculty and 6 graduate assistants;  
  • Generate, process, maintain, and file honorariums, timesheets, faculty workload forms, purchase requisitions, budget accounts, external grant support, and office supplies; 
  • Troubleshoot daily problems, messages, cancellations for full-time/part-time faculty; 
  • Maintain, copy, and file all internal department forms; 
  • Assist with purchasing card tracking, budget tracking, submitting maintenance requests and maintaining office supplies;
  • Other secretarial duties as required.

WCSU offers a comprehensive benefits package. Additional information on benefits can be found at www.wcsu.edu/hr/benefits/.

Selection Plan

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  Please ensure that your application is complete prior to submitting.  NOTE: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, supervisory references, attendance records, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: Hrpositions@wcsu.edu.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQ’s) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. Please regularly check your email for notifications, including your SPAM/JUNK folders. You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements and preferred qualifications of the position.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to das.shrm@ct.gov.

NOTE:  Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.  Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of secretarial support functions requiring an understanding of organizational policies and procedures.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Incumbents perform a variety of secretarial duties as illustrated in the following areas:

1. TYPING: Using a personal computer or other electronic equipment, formats and types a full range of correspondence, reports, bills, drafts, etc. from rough draft, transcription, dictated notes, etc. Proofreads for content; edits using knowledge of grammar, punctuation and spelling.

2. FILING: Designs office filing systems; organizes and maintains files (including confidential files); maintains, updates and reviews reference materials and manuals.

3. CORRESPONDENCE: Composes complex letters and/or memoranda, etc. (e.g. explaining department practices/policies) for own or supervisor's signature.

4. REPORT WRITING: Compiles information from a variety of sources and prepares narrative or statistical reports, exercising judgment in the selection of items to be included.

5. INTERPERSONAL: Greets and directs visitors; answers phones and screens incoming calls; provides advice to callers regarding policy and procedures (e.g. citing a regulation to solve a specific problem); coordinates with others both within and outside of the organization on a variety of non-routine matters.

6. PROCESSING: Screens letters, memos, reports and other materials to determine action required; may make recommendations to the supervisor.

7. PERSONAL SECRETARY: Arranges and coordinates meetings (including space and equipment); researches, assembles and coordinates meeting materials (e.g. charts, graphs, reports); writes minutes of meetings, lectures, conferences, etc. from rough draft; takes notes using shorthand, speedwriting or machine transcription; prepares expense accounts; makes travel arrangements.

8. OFFICE MANAGEMENT: Maintains an inventory of supplies and equipment; orders supplies when necessary; completes, processes and maintains paperwork for purchasing (e.g. orders, requisitions, invoices, etc.); maintains time and attendance records; assists in preparing and monitoring the office budget (e.g. compiles figures, reviews statistical reports, verifies expense items); designs and initiates new forms and procedures to facilitate workflow; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of office systems and procedures; considerable knowledge of proper grammar, punctuation and spelling; knowledge of business communications; knowledge of department's/unit's policies and procedures; some knowledge of business math; interpersonal skills; ability to schedule and prioritize office workflow; ability to operate office equipment which includes personal computers other electronic equipment; ability to operate office suite software; ability to take notes (shorthand, speedwriting or other method acceptable to the supervisor).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years' experience above the routine clerk level in office support or secretarial work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been as a Secretary 1 or its equivalent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in the secretarial sciences may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate in their application materials:
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as possess pleasant telephone and reception demeanor
  • Attention to detail, accuracy and proofreading skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Teams, Outlook, Excel and Word
  • Experience with Social Media and Website support
  • Budget experience
  • Experience with Banner preferred
  • Customer Service/Front Desk Reception Duties/Office Management

Conclusion

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.