ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 1 Full-time Job

Job Description
Are you a detail-oriented, organized individual who thrives in a challenging role? If so, consider one of these exceptional Full-time, Temporary, 12 months vacancy opportunity with the IDS Transit Expansion Division within the City of Toronto. You will work in a senior-management environment where your executive-level administrative skills will be relied upon daily to deliver top quality support in a fast-paced and complex municipal government setting. Your excellent communication skills, combined with your customer service focus, diplomacy and tact, will ensure you are a valued member of the team that is responsible for the provision of centralized administrative support to the Transit Expansion Division.
 
The City of Toronto promotes professional development and is committed to providing opportunities to lead, learn and grow. We value integrity, reliability, and fairness, and we embrace the diversity of the people we work with and serve.
 

 

Major Responsibilities:
Your primary responsibilities as an Administrative Assistant 1 will focus on providing support to senior leadership on key corporate initiatives, governance, Council/Committee agenda management and protocol, as well as the interpretation or application of corporate / service area policies and procedures.  In doing so, you will assist with the day-to-day management, operations and coordination of complex projects and programs in the Transit Expansion Division, Infrastructure Services.
 
Office Administration

• Provides senior level administrative support, advice and guidance on key initiatives and policies. Reviews and directs incoming correspondence, telephone calls and initiates responses.
• Manages and schedules daily appointments and activities; arranges meetings and business travel. Recognizes priorities and organizes the daily schedule accordingly.
• Coordinates daily administrative operation by organizing workload priorities. Provides effective work direction, training and guidance and acts as a resource to support staff as required.
• Manages, prioritizes and/or redirects inquires and/or provides information and guidance to staff, clients, the public, the media, agencies, union representatives and other levels of government, utilizing specialized knowledge of corporate policies, regulations, and protocols.
• Ensures and checks the efficient and correct preparation and processing of documents in accordance with appropriate policies and legislation. Ensures conformity with regulations, statutes, by-laws, agreements, policies, and procedures. Applies and checks layout and formatting guidelines. Proofreads own and others material.
• Performs highly independent, specialized administrative tasks, including preparation, research, investigation, review, reconciliation, control and co-ordination of various documentation and processes.
• Maintains strict confidentiality at all times. Coordinates meetings, special events, schedules, workshops, grievances, labour-management meetings, food services, and staff attendance at conferences.
• Prepares agendas, takes/transcribes minutes and follows-up on action required.
• Operates computers utilizing and manipulating a variety of desktop applications and corporate systems. Prepares presentation material on various software, including  Office 365 and in particular SharePoint.
• Organizes and maintains up to date manuals such as Council and corporate administrative policies and guidelines.
• Maintains continuous awareness of the City operations, administrative policies and procedures. Monitors administrative processes of the office to ensure adherence to relevant City policies and efficient operations.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of secretarial and administrative standards and procedures.
• Attends various meetings, events, and acts as the unit representative when required.
• Promotes and delivers excellent customer service.
• May manage special projects.

 
Human Resources and Financial Management

• Checks and ensures the preparation of the recruitment and organizational change documents are in accordance with Corporate and service area policies.
• Maintains staffing and recruitment information and documentation.
• Prepares and processes documents of a confidential labour relations nature, such as notes regarding disciplinary action, documents pertaining to grievances and arbitration, letters of discipline, contingency planning, position termination, restructuring and downsizing initiatives.
• Manages petty cash, and coordinates the submission of petty cash reimbursements, supplier payments and other administrative matters for the office.
• Monitors, tracks, and reports attendance.
   

Communications and Issues Management

• Receives and provides initial response including initial data collection related to telephone calls, email and correspondence from the general public and staff and refers for appropriate action.
• Responds to, and helps resolve, issues raised by staff, internal and external stakeholders, and the public.
• Receives Fraud and Waste, Ombudsman, Auditor General, Internal Audit and other matters on behalf of the Office and refers to the appropriate Section or Unit for Action. Monitors and tracks responses.
• Coordinates tier one responses to enquiries about Freedom of Information and protection of personal privacy from Members of Council, the Information and Privacy Commission, the media, senior City staff and the public.
• Prepares and co-ordinates communication material within the Division, including newsletters, bulletins, notices, and flyers.
   

Council and Committee Agenda Management

• Monitors all key reports required for committees and council and ensures deadlines are met.
• Annotates and reviews Council agendas and flags items that will impact on Division operations. Identifies issues and initiates responses.
• Maintains awareness of municipal matters while acting with discretion on all confidential matters.
   

Reporting and Record-Keeping

• Administers, prepares, processes, and composes documents, routine reports, statistical summaries and reports requiring considerable judgement in the interpretation and application of regulations and practices. Prepares complex calculations and analysis of data. Monitors expenses and participates in compiling data for forecasting and budgeting. Prepares correspondence.
• Coordinates all reports and administrative information, monthly work plan updates and corporate responsibilities including Human Resources, Health and Safety and prepares the documentation to meet legislative requirements in alignment with established policies and procedures.
• Develops, operates and maintains an effective record/retrieval system for the office.
   

 

Key Qualifications

1. Considerable experience providing administrative support to senior management, managing a broad range of administrative matters, standard office practices and procedures.
2. Considerable experience in planning and organizing appointments, meetings, conferences, and special events in a fast-paced environment, including the preparation of meeting minutes and identifying items for follow-up.
3. Considerable experience in the preparation and drafting of standard correspondence and reports, editing the layout and formatting of complex reports, presentations, correspondence, charts and tables.
4. Considerable experience preparing agendas, taking minutes at meetings, and identifying items for follow up.
5. Extensive experience utilizing a variety of software packages (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, Office 365 etc.).
6. Experience working with confidential materials/information for senior management staff.
7. Experience annotating and/or summarizing complex data, reports, briefing notes and/or committee/council reports.
8. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
9. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and manage interruptions, to assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interests of the Division.
10. Excellent organizational and time management skills, including attention to detail, ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively with minimal supervision, deal with conflicting priorities and work demands.
11. Considerable knowledge of municipal operations that may include but is not limited to council proceedings and Freedom of Information.
12. Ability to work independently, in a politically sensitive environment, using sound judgement.
13. Ability to provide work direction to other support staff.
14. Ability to research and prepare information in a timely manner.
15. Ability to implement effective administrative work procedures and maintain an organized office in a fast-paced and complex executive office.
16. Highly developed customer service and interpersonal skills. Ability to deliver excellent customer service at all levels and with external partners and stakeholders.
17. Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing. A strong command of grammar and writing skills for the purpose of proof reading and editing.
18. Ability to work beyond normal business hours and flexible hours including weekends and evenings when necessary.
19. Must be resourceful, adaptable and possess a high degree of initiative.
20. Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and respectful workplaces.

Toronto, the capital of the province of Ontario, is a major Canadian city along Lake Ontarios northwestern shore. It's a dynamic metropolis with a core of soaring skyscrapers, all dwarfed by the iconic, free-standing CN Tower. Toronto also has many green spaces, from the orderly oval of Queens Park to 400-acre High Park and its trails, sports facilities and zoo.