Detailed description Administrative assistants (NOC 1241)

Job titles

administrative assistant
administrative assistant - office
administrative secretary
View all job titles

Nature of work

Administrative assistants perform a variety of administrative duties in support of managerial and professional employers. They are employed throughout the private and public sectors.

Fields of interest

Entering or verify data and information, sorting, filing
Working in an office
Writing, working in communications and information

Main duties

Administrative assistants perform some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare, key in, edit and proofread correspondence, invoices, presentations, brochures, publications, reports and related material from machine dictation and handwritten copy
- Open and distribute incoming regular and electronic mail and other material and co-ordinate the flow of information internally and with other departments and organizations
- Schedule and confirm appointments and meetings of employer
- Order office supplies and maintain inventory
- Answer telephone and electronic enquiries and relay telephone calls and messages
- Set up and maintain manual and computerized information filing systems
- Determine and establish office procedures
- Greet visitors, ascertain nature of business and direct visitors to employer or appropriate person
- Record and prepare minutes of meetings
- Arrange travel schedules and make reservations
- May compile data, statistics and other information to support research activities
- May supervise and train office staff in procedures and in use of current software.
- May organize conferences

Not available for this occupation.

Employment requirements

* Completion of secondary school is usually required.
* Completion of a one- or two-year college or other program for administrative assistants or secretaries or Previous clerical experience is required.