Administrative officers (NOC 1221)

Administrative officers:

• Oversee and co-ordinate office administrative procedures and review, evaluate and implement new procedures
• Establish work priorities, delegate work to office support staff, and ensure deadlines are met and procedures are followed
• Carry out administrative activities associated with admissions to post-secondary educational institutions
• Administer policies and procedures related to the release of records in processing requests under government access to information and privacy legislation
• Co-ordinate and plan for office services, such as accommodation, relocations, equipment, supplies, forms, disposal of assets, parking, maintenance and security services
• Conduct analyses and oversee administrative operations related to budgeting, contracting and project planning and management processes
• Assist in preparation of operating budget and maintain inventory and budgetary controls
• Assemble data and prepare periodic and special reports, manuals and correspondence
• May supervise records management technicians and related staff.

 

Administrative officers are often expected to manage numerous projects at any given time, while working in a busy, noisy environment. Workers may be interrupted frequently to meet requests from staff, management and the public.

Education, training & qualifications

Since the tasks and duties of an administrative officer vary greatly depending on the employer, necessary education, training and qualifications also vary. At a minimum, completion of secondary school is necessary. Other professional requirements may include:

• a university degree or college diploma in business or public administration, possibly including programs such as accounting, business administration or technology
• experience in a senior clerical or executive secretarial position related to office administration
• accounting and financial skills, as well as experience with office-related software, such as Microsoft Office Suite and experience working with databases
• the ability to easily adapt to new software programs through professional development courses or self-study
• project management certification may be required by some employers.
• completion of secondary school is required.

Skills

• Clerical Ability
• Numerical Ability
• Detail-Oriented
• Finger Dexterity

View skills definitions

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.

As operations merge and share services, fewer administrative staff may be required, however, since this is a particularly large occupational group, a significant number of job openings are expected from retirements.

While people with higher credentials are looked upon favourably, individual suitability and personality are also important factors when considering hiring in this occupation.