Administrative Assistant-External Affairs (Los Angeles)

Feb. 17, 2012

Los Angeles, CA

Confidential

Crystal Stairs:

Improving the Lives of Families through

Child Care Services, Research, and Advocacy

OUR CORE VALUES

Excellence * Relationships * Integrity

Empowerment

Crystal Stairs is one of the largest private non-profit child development corporations in the State of California. We help families locate affordable and appropriate childcare through a variety of services, working with childcare providers, educators, advocates, and community members to positively impact the lives of thousands of children each year.

As an Employer-of-Choice, Crystal Stairs is proud of our cordial, collegial work culture. We are committed to creating a family-friendly environment and encouraging employees to achieve work-life balance. You'll receive 2 weeks paid vacation to start, 3 weeks after 3 years, and 4 weeks annual vacation after 5 years. You'll also receive 8 holidays, and a paid holiday break between Christmas and New Year's which serves as an extra, "mini vacation".

Our outstanding benefits include excellent health and dental plans, as well as vision and employee assistance plans. We offer employer-paid life insurance and optional supplemental life/dependent life insurance, as well as flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care expenses. We also offer a 401k with 100% vesting after just four years.

If you're ready for an enriching career, one with meaning and challenge, then Crystal Stairs is for you. Our mission-- to Make Crystal Stairs the Premiere Child Care and Child Development Agency in California--is not an easy one. Yet, within it you will find significant achievement, satisfaction and reward. Ready to make a difference? Join us!

ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST -- EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

What We're Looking For:

Crystal Stairs seeks an Administrative Specialist who oversees and performs all administrative functions for the Director of External Affairs and the External Affairs department. You'll also compose correspondence, announcements, and memoranda, as well as create and maintain confidential corporate and general files that support the agency's work in the areas of public affairs/advocacy, fundraising and communications. You'll be responsible for updating and managing the Director's appointment calendar and departmental task list. You will routinely acquire documents and research information as needed by the Director and the External Affairs team. In addition, you'll coordinate and assist with the completion of special projects, spreadsheet development, database maintenance, presentation design and social media projects. The Administrative Specialist will assist with meeting preparation, including drafting, copying and distributing meeting agendas, presentation materials, correspondence and minutes. In this role you'll assist with event planning and completing travel arrangements and various logistics. One of your main focuses will include maintaining appropriate communication with external organizations, the Executive office and all internal departments. Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES YOU SHOULD POSSESS:

1.A minimum of 4 years demonstrated experience providing administrative support to management staff or office management experience. Non-profit experience a plus. An interest and/or experience with public affairs/advocacy, fundraising and communications are complementary for this position.

2.Two years of college. Bachelor's degree preferred. Related work experience may be substituted for education.

3.Requires strong MS Office, Excel, desktop publishing and PowerPoint knowledge.

4.Must have strong organizational and administrative skills, with attention to detail and ability to produce under tight deadlines.

5.Strong writing skills, including proofreading and composing new documents.

6.Must be flexible and able to manage multiple tasks and handle changing priorities and deadlines.

7.Strong meeting and travel coordination expertise.

8.Proficiency in managing telephone calls, including the ability to take and direct messages to appropriate staff for action.

9.Exceptional customer service skills, with the ability to deal with tact and diplomacy with all levels of the organization are needed.

10.Requires the exercise of independent judgment and discretion in analyzing situations and in the determination of actions to be taken.

11.Requires high degree of confidentiality and discretion.

12.Typing speed of 45+ wpm with 85% accuracy rate.

Crystal Stairs is committed to building and sustaining a diverse workforce and culture. As part of this commitment, Crystal Stairs provides equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, medical condition as defined by state law, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other legally protected status.