Administrative Assistant

Introduction

Are you a current employee of the Dept. of Agriculture looking for the next step in your career?

If so, read below and apply today!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Agriculture (DoAg), Bureau of Regulatory Services invites current Dept. of Agriculture employees to apply for the position of Administrative Assistant to support critical public health, regulatory, and operational functions that protect Connecticut's agriculture, animal health, and food safety.

CONTINUE TO ENJOY

• Our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Monday - Friday
• Full Time, 40 hours per week
• First Shift, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
• Location: Dept. of Agriculture Headquarters, 450 Columbus Blvd in Hartford, CT
• This position is eligible to apply for telework, in accordance with the Telework Policy. Learn more about the Telework Policy.

THE ROLE

The Bureau of Regulatory Services oversees statewide animal health programs, inspections, regulatory compliance, statutory documentation, and emergency response activities. The Administrative Assistant provides essential administrative and technical support to the Bureau Director, Assistant Director, State Veterinarian, inspectors, and program technicians.

The Administrative Assistant will be responsible for the following:

• Draft, edit, format, and proofread bureau documents, including regulatory orders, letters, reports, meeting agendas, and official correspondence.
• Organize, retain, and manage digital and physical records, including SharePoint structure, document naming, and AMIRS digitization.
• Coordinate schedules, meetings, inspections, travel arrangements, and logistics for bureau leadership and field staff.
• Serve as front-line communication support for public inquiries, veterinarians, municipalities, and stakeholders.
• Manage supply procurement, inventory tracking, ordering of testing materials, and processing of invoices and reimbursements.
• Assist with data compilation, statistical reporting, and preparation of charts, summaries, and bureau performance metrics.
• Support FOI responses, dog tag program functions, program SOPs, and internal policy development.
• Provide organizational and technical support for bureau-wide projects such as website modernization, SharePoint cleanup, and AMIRS record management.

ABOUT US

Department of Agriculture's (DoAg) mission is to foster a healthy economic, environmental, and social climate for agriculture by developing, promoting, and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to public health, animal health and animal care; and promoting an understanding among the state's citizens of the diversity of Connecticut's agriculture, its cultural heritage, and its contribution to the state's economy. DoAg provides public benefits by empowering its three bureaus to promote and protect Connecticut Agriculture.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the , you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (, Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at
• This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jasmyn Raymond at

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing the most complex tasks in providing both office administration and secretarial support for a major program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs the most complex office administrative duties as described in the following areas:

• TYPING: Using computers, tablets, and 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.
• FILING: Designs office filing systems; Organizes and maintains files (including confidential files); Maintains, updates and reviews references materials and manuals.
• CORRESPONDENCE: Composes complex letters and/or memoranda, etc. (, explaining department practices and/or policies) for own or manager's signature.
• REPORT WRITING: Researches and assembles information from a variety of sources and prepares statistical and/or narrative reports; Analyzes information and may make recommendations.
• INTERPERSONAL: Acts for manager by interpreting established policies and procedures, etc.; Troubleshoots by relieving manager of as much administrative detail as possible; Acts for and regularly makes decisions in manager's absence (within prescribed limits of authority).
• PROCESSING: Screens letters, memos, reports and other materials to determine action required; May make recommendations to supervisor.
• SECRETARY: Arranges and coordinates meetings (including space and equipment); Researches, assembles and coordinates meeting materials (, charts, graphs, reports); Writes minutes of meetings, lectures, conferences, etc. from rough draft; Takes notes and/or meeting minutes; Prepares expense accounts; Makes travel arrangements.
• OFFICE MANAGEMENT: Authorizes purchases and payments (within prescribed limits of authority); Develops input and prepares documentation for office and/or department budget; Coordinates budget control and monitoring; Develops office and/or department procedural manuals; Assists in interviewing and hiring office support staff; Trains office support staff; May supervise office support staff.
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of office administration and management; department and/or unit policies and procedures; proper grammar, punctuation and spelling; business communications;
• Knowledge of business math;
• Considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to operate office equipment which includes computers, tablets, and other electronic equipment; operate office suite software; take notes (shorthand, speedwriting or other method acceptable to manager).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Four (4) years of 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 2 or its equivalent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience creating, editing, or managing official documents, records, or correspondence.
• Experience coordinating schedules, meetings, or travel logistics.
• Experience ordering supplies, tracking inventory, or processing financial transactions (, invoices, reimbursements).
• Experience providing customer service or handling inquiries from the public or external stakeholders.
• Experience using Microsoft Office 365 tools (, Outlook, Word, Excel) and file management systems.

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.