Secretary @ Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency

JOB TITLE

Secretary DATE: October 2026

WORK GROUP

Special Education GROUP: Classified Association

REPORTS TO

Regional Administrator

QUALIFICATION

• EDUCATION:
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• EXPERIENCE:
• Clerical/secretarial experience, preferred
• Administrative and office management experience, preferred

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Models a positive and professional image of Prairie Lakes AEA, demonstrating a high degree of customer service to clientele, visitors, and co-workers
• Greets, directs, announces, and/or escorts all visitors as appropriate; anticipates visitor's needs; answers questions and attends to office and/or agency issues as they arise
• Provides timely support to staff for tasks including but not limited to: coordination of schedules; meeting supports, coordination of meetings and meeting space; resource assembly; development and/or photocopying of documents; preparation of packets/presentations; correspondence/mailing; technology troubleshooting; and coordination of office/agency-wide scheduled functions and activates
• Creates, maintains, troubleshoots, extracts data/information from agency systems/software
• Operates or backs up incoming telephone lines to route incoming calls and place outgoing calls to appropriate personnel
• Manages and maintains confidentiality of student and staff information and confidential records
• Collaborates with relevant agency departments and staff to support business functions that may include purchasing, mileage, and time sheets
• Coordinates incoming and outgoing mail; coordinate maintenance of postage machines/supplies
• Participates in meetings, workshops, committees, and professional development opportunities
• Supports/prepares necessary documents to order equipment, supplies, and online print orders
• Provide backup to other secretaries in their absence
• Additional Duties as Assigned, such as:
• Support to liaisons and chairs for assigned PLAEA Departments
• Support staff at Lakes Educational Partnership, Shelter and Prison Programs
• Schedule and assist with hearing booth and speech appointments
• Event Coordinator for PLAEA office as assigned
• ACHIEVE Data Entry
• Referrals Birth to 5 years old, school aged, and CAPTA
• Order/maintain assessment materials for departments
• Travel accommodations and registration for staff

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of standard secretarial procedures and office management techniques, including record management, word processing, filing, telephone, video and phone conferencing, note taking, gathering/organizing data, and maintaining calendars/schedules for offices and/or assigned personnel
• Computer experience using PC, including Google apps, Microsoft products, web-based tools, as well as the ability to learn new applications and resources
• Strong oral and written communication skills, correct English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and proofreading
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills; in person, in writing, and telephone etiquette
• Ability to work diligently to produce an accurate work product
• Ability to problem-solve
• Ability to communicate and work well with others
• Ability to anticipate, organize, and prioritize the needs of many individuals within the office and meet multiple timelines
• Ability to team with others in accordance with Prairie Lakes AEA's expectations

COMMON TO ALL EMPLOYEES

• Maintains confidentiality
• Uses effective oral, written, and collaborative skills
• Is self-motivated, reliable, organized, detail and quality-oriented
• Regular, predictable, consistent attendance is essential
• Engages in continuous improvement of professional practice to build skills needed to perform job duties and meet agency goals
• Prevents and resolves conflicts using effective problem-solving skills
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates business appropriate personal presentation
• Demonstrates cultural competence and behaviors consistent with Prairie Lakes AEA Value Proposition Statement

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to travel between schools and sites served.
• Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, vision and walking, and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that can't always be anticipated.

BENEFITS

Enjoy a strong benefits package featuring fully paid single health and dental insurance, employer-paid life and disability coverage, and a generous IPERS retirement plan.

PAY SCHEDULE

This position is classified as Grade C, with a pay range of $20.31 to $22.83 per hour, depending on education and experience.