Senior Administrative Support Specialist

Head of School Office

2026-2027 School Year

Internal and External Posting Only

Posting Date:

July 1, 2026 until filled

Position:

Senior Administrative Support Specialist

Job Type:

2026-2027 School Year

Employer:

Michigan School for the Deaf contract employee: this is not a State of Michigan Civil Service position

Location:

Michigan School for the Deaf – Flint, Michigan

Rate of Pay:

$48,776.00 salary

Bargaining Union:

Non-Union

Job Description:

Michigan School for the Deaf (MSD) is a program that serves Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and their families throughout the State of Michigan. This position serves as the primary administrative and management support professional for the Head of School at the Michigan School for the Deaf (MSD). MSD provides residential and educational programs and services to students who are Deaf or hard of hearing from 2.5 to 26 years old. The Senior Administrative Support Specialist performs advanced-level administrative, organizational, and communication duties requiring a high degree of discretion, independent judgment, and professionalism. This position functions as a key liaison between the Head of School and internal staff, families, stakeholders, and external partners.

The Specialist manages sensitive and confidential information; anticipates administrative needs; coordinates complex scheduling, communication, and logistics; and supports the overall operational efficiency of the Head of School’s Office.

The Specialist performs advanced secretarial assignments, functioning as a management assistant. At this level, the employee has increased responsibility in such areas as interpreting policies and procedures, interpreting the supervisor's point of view, serving as liaison to staff and higher level management, researching and preparing materials for managerial decisions, and participating in other management assistant activities as identified in the Additional Job Duties. Has the ability to abstract and present significant facts from data.

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct, confidential administrative support to the Head of School, including preparing correspondence, reports, and communications.
• Serve as a primary point of contact and liaison for staff, families, stakeholders, and external agencies on behalf of the Head of School.
• Receives and screens visitors and telephone calls, takes messages, schedules appointments for Head of School and provides information to callers requiring knowledge of agency's operations, supervisor's point of view, and the interpretation and application of policies and procedures.

• Manage complex calendars, schedule meetings, determine meeting locations, accessibility needs, and coordinate virtual meeting platforms.
• Handle all travel arrangements, logistics, and required documentation for the Head of School.
• Independently prioritize tasks, manage multiple deadlines, and make administrative decisions aligned with school operations and leadership priorities.
• Maintain organized filing systems (digital and physical) and ensure accurate record-keeping and information management.
• Support preparation, coordination, and follow-up for leadership meetings, committees, and school-wide initiatives.
• Updates Head of School on status of issues before scheduled meetings.

• Prepares minutes of meetings from notes and/or recordings
• Draft, edit, and format documents and materials using strong written communication and attention to detail.
• Proofreads and corrects prepared materials for correct grammar, format, completeness, and content.

• Perform advanced-level administrative assistant duties that require judgment, initiative, and a strong understanding of MSD operations.
• Collaborate with other administrative and school support personnel to ensure smooth day-to-day workflow across the organization.
• Gathers data for surveys or performs research on special subjects or projects.
• Assist with coordination of MSD events.

• Reviews and evaluates applications, petitions, contracts, or other documents to determine if prescribed requirements are met for acceptance or approval.
• Assists in the preparation of budgets and financial reports; prepares and monitors timekeeping and other personnel records.
• Locates and reviews pertinent information from files, documents, newspapers, and other sources; and prepares a summary of content for professional(s) and/or management staff.
• Serves as liaison between management and staff by transmitting information, explaining appropriate work instructions, and following up on assignments.
• Makes scheduling commitments for professional(s) or management staff for meetings, conferences and speeches and assembles related necessary materials.
• Assists in the study of office operations and services and provides recommendations for improving efficiency and economy of operations.
• Composes and types routine letters, memoranda, reports, minutes of meetings, scientific or technical material, numerical data, charts and forms.

State of Michigan Employees/MSD Contracted Employees:

Position duties should not conflict with work schedule, if so, annual leave must be requested. If absent, you will not be paid for that day.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma
• Demonstrated experience performing advance administrative, executive assistant, or management support duties.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, possess one or more of the following:

• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible office experience, including demonstrated experience performing advanced administrative, executive assistant, or management support duties.
• Experience working in an educational or special education environment preferred but not required.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply complex rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with students, parents, staff, and members of the Deaf community.
• Ability to communicate via American Sign Language (ASL) is highly preferred but is not required. A candidate who is not proficient in ASL must follow the MSD Language Policy and become proficient within a specified period of time.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance and strong organizational skills.
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proficiency with office software, virtual meeting platforms, and document management.
• Ability to work independently, make decisions, and anticipate leadership needs.

• Knowledge of the organization and composition of letters, minutes, reports, charts, and spreadsheets.
• Skill in typing from clear copy at a rate of 40 net words per minute.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to coordinate work of the unit.
• Ability to follow, apply, interpret, and explain instructions and/or guidelines.
• Ability to meet schedules and deadlines of the work area.
• Possession of a valid Michigan Driver’s license or the ability to obtain one.

Work Hours & Total Compensation:

• This position will work year round.
• Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
• Payments are made on a bi-weekly basis through GECS submitted to Business Office.
• Salary is $48,776.00 per year.
• MSD is an equal opportunity employer and will entertain any candidate with the qualifications listed in the summary of this job listed above.
• Educational environment with extensive interaction with students. May be exposed to infectious diseases. Driving may also be a requirement.

This is a one-year contracted position and pay will be determined based upon experience. The position will be renewed annually with the mutual agreement of both parties.

Certification/Training Required:

• Drug Testing
• Fingerprint/criminal background

Additional Requirements and Information:

The Michigan Department of Education/Michigan School for the Deaf will not hire and employ individuals who have been convicted of a “listed offense” pursuant to the School Safety Legislation Acts (Public Acts 129, 130, 131 and 138 of 2005). The “listed offense” are defined in the Sex Offenders Registration Act (Section 2 of Public Act 295 of 1994).

Fingerprint records are required prior to being hired.

How to Apply:

To apply send resume to:

Amanda Sutherland-Human Resources Liaison

SutherlandA2@michigan.gov

Michigan School for the Deaf

1235 W. Court Street

Flint, Michigan 48503