Policy Assistant Tennessee Department of State Executive Office of the Secretary of State Mission: The mission of the Office of the Secretary of State is to exceed the expectations of our customers, the taxpayers, by operating at the highest levels of accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and accountability in a customer-centered environment.
Supervisor: Secretary of State
Summary: Performs administrative office work in addition to traveling with and staffing the Secretary of State at meetings and events
Duties/Responsibilities - Draft routine correspondence such as thank you, congratulatory, and condolence type letters and emails for the office
- Provide administrative staff support to the Chief of Staff and General Counsel
- Compile documents and other preparatory information in an orderly manner for various meetings of boards and commissions on which the Secretary of State serves
- Screen and route incoming mail; greet and assist visitors; screen calls and make appointments; receive inquiries, compose constituent replies; answer questions relating to departmental activities
- Assist the Secretary of State by scheduling, making travel arrangements, and driving, including out-of-town and overnight travel as required
- Staff the Secretary at in and out-of-town events, which include briefing materials, coordinating with the Communications Division to provide photos and event information for social media content
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as otherwise assigned
Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in political science, public administration communications, business administration, political science, or other relevant major
- Must have experience and understanding of the political and government landscape in Tennessee
Knowledge and Abilities
- Attention to detail is a must. Ability to proof one's work and learn lessons from previous efforts
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams
- Ability to communicate information to the public in a professional manner in person, on the telephone, and via email
- Ability to monitor email and text and reply in a timely manner
- Ability to coordinate multiple projects at once while managing time, prioritizing tasks, and logistic
- Ability to foresee scheduling conflicts and remedy them before they are an issue
- Self-starter, motivated, eager, inquisitive, proactive, enthusiastic, and positive attitude
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Works well under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrated ability to plan effectively and the flexibility to handle the unexpected
Physical Requirements
- Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and be willing and able to travel independently throughout the state, including overnight travel
- Ability to handle boxes and equipment weighing a minimum of forty (40) pounds
Salary: $42,000 annually plus the State of Tennessee benefits package.