Construction administrative assistants provide construction companies with broad-based administrative support to help with achieving operational goals. This may include answering telephones, managing records, monitoring expenses, and ordering supplies. Postsecondary education is sometimes preferred.
Essential Information
Construction administrative assistants work in a clerical position within a construction company managing phone calls, paperwork and clientele. Construction administrative assistants support the business at large and strive to help improve workplace communication and efficiency.
| Required Education | High school diploma or equivalent; postsecondary training preferred by some employers |
| Other Requirements | On-the-job training |
| Median Annual Salary (2020)* | $38,850 for secretaries and administrative assistants, except executive, legal and medical assistants |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job Description for Construction Administrative Assistants
A construction administrative assistant helps executives roll out workplace initiatives, as well as administrate daily affairs. Common job requirements include sorting mail, answering phones, taking messages and following up with customers. Administrative assistants also organize meetings, arrange travel, manage records and monitor expenses. Traditional office duties, such as filing, copying, scanning, ordering supplies and overseeing supply reordering, are also preformed. Depending on how much autonomy staff is given, some positions require independent judgment and keen decision-making skills.
In addition, construction administrative assistants help to ensure that project contracts and bids are complete and filed on time. They may also be responsible for coordinating activities, such as workshops and meetings, off the job site. Depending on the size of the company, a construction administrative assistant may be responsible for training and supervising other clerical staff.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipated a decline of 9% for secretaries and administrative assistants in all fields from 2019-2029. As of May 2020, BLS reported that all secretaries and administrative assistants, except those in executive, legal or medical positions, earned a median annual salary of $38,850.
Job Requirements for Construction Administrative Assistants
Due to the high degree of interaction with the public, administrative assistants are expected to have excellent interpersonal communication skills, both written and verbal. They need to be team players, satisfied when the group is recognized, even at the expense of the individual members. Deadlines are important to this position, so administrative assistants need to be good at prioritizing tasks to make sure that multiple deadlines are met.
The need for a working knowledge of current office practices and software, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel, generally translates to a requirement of five years of experience. The minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or the equivalent. However, those without experience in the field may complete a training or associate degree program in administrative assisting to gain knowledge in business math, record management, communications and professional development. Many associate or certificate programs also include some form of hands-on training in the field.
Construction administrative assistants support construction companies by ensuring completion of varied administrative tasks. Secretaries and administrative assistants in general earned a median annual salary of $38,850 in 2020. Job growth is declining, though assistants with experience and strong computer skills may bolster their career prospects.
