Special Assistant to Director's Office; Administrative Officer III

Nature of Work

The Special Assistant will support project delivery and provide operational support for the Office of Highway Development and its seven divisions. Reporting directly to the Director’s Office, the Special Assistant will provide oversight and coordination for the non-engineering aspects of project management, including tracking project schedules, budgets, and critical action items to ensure consistent reporting to Senior Management, the Secretary’s Office, elected officials and the general public.

In addition to project delivery assistance, the position will provide a range of administrative support duties for the Office. The Special Assistant will work alongside the Administrative Chief to build recruitment pipelines with regional universities and community colleges, as well as coordinate the staff development and summer internship programs. Since the role acts as the operational hub for the Office’s leadership, the position will be responsible for maintaining a strong foundation in logistical, clerical, and executive functions, such as preparing briefing materials, managing schedules, and ensuring that routine processes like timecards and expense reports are prompt and accurate.

Education:

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience:

Three (3) years of experience in administrative or professional work.

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

• Degree in Public Administration or Public Policy: A Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) or equivalent advanced coursework in Public Policy, Public Administration, Government Affairs, or a closely related field.
• Data and System Management Proficiency:
  Experience utilizing modern project management software, data visualization tools, or advanced spreadsheet functions to track complex data sets, budgets, and operational schedules.
• Executive-Level Communication
  
  Skills:
  
  Proven ability to synthesize complex, technical, or quantitative information into clear, concise executive briefings, reports, and presentations for senior leadership or elected officials.
• Stakeholder and Program Coordination:
  Experience in relationship management, external affairs, or program coordination, specifically demonstrating the ability to build effective partnerships with academic institutions, local government, or community stakeholders.
• Process Optimization
  
  Experience:
  
  A strong track record of identifying operational inefficiencies and successfully implementing streamlined administrative or business processes (e.g., automating workflow approvals, standardizing reporting procedures).