Whatcom Community College
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Office administrators perform a variety of clerical and administrative duties that are necessary to run an organization efficiently. Duties may include:
- Answer telephones and take messages or transfer calls
- Schedule appointments and update event calendars
- Arrange staff meetings
- Handle incoming and outgoing mail and faxes
- Draft routine memos, billing or other reports
- Edit company correspondence and ensure document accuracy
- Maintain databases and filing systems, whether electronic or paper
- Perform basic bookkeeping
With advanced experience and/or training, they may negotiate with vendors, buy supplies, manage stockrooms, and/or supervise other office employees.
Demand for administrative assistants is strong in Whatcom county and wages average $22.44 per hour. Starting wages generally range from $16.66 to $18.13 per hour.
Sources: Washington State Employment Security Department, October 2022; Career One Stop, 2022
Local employers of recent program graduates include:
- Barleans
- Brigid Collins Family Support Center
- Farmers Insurance
- Lynden Door Inc.