What are the responsibilities and job description for the Office Administrator position at Gullett Fence?
Location: In-Office | Ottumwa, Iowa
Hours: 25–30 hours/week to start, with a clear path to full-time within 6 months for the right person
Pay: $15.00 – $17.00/hour based on experience
Schedule: Monday – Friday | Daytime hours
Start Date: Immediate
Introductory Period: 90 days
Benefits: Paid holidays, on-the-job training, opportunities for advancement, and direct mentorship from ownership.
Who We Are
Gullett Fence is a third-generation, family-owned, fence and guardrail company committed to continued growth that has been built on quality work and straight talk with our customers.
This is not a slow office. Priorities shift. Phones ring. Jobs need to move. We need someone who gets energized by that environment — not someone who needs everything to be calm and predictable before they can do their best work.
What we offer in return: a team that values you, an ownership that will invest in your growth, and a real opportunity to grow this role into something bigger. We believe people who show up, work hard, and keep getting better deserve to be rewarded for it.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re not hiring a résumé. We’re hiring a person. Experience in our industry is a plus but not a requirement. What we cannot teach — and what matters most to us — is this:
The non-negotiables:
- You figure things out. When you don’t know the answer, you find it — you don’t wait for someone to hand it to you.
- You follow through. If you say you’ll do something, it gets done. No reminders needed.
- You’re a team player. You communicate, you pitch in, and you don’t leave problems for someone else to find.
- You handle pressure without shutting down. Busy days, shifting priorities, and multiple things at once are normal here.
- You’re honest. With us and with customers. Always.
If that description made you think “that’s me” — keep reading.
The Role
The Office Administrator is the hub of our operation. You’re the first voice customers hear, the person keeping jobs moving through the pipeline, and the one making sure nothing falls through the cracks. You’ll work directly with the owners and have real visibility into how the business runs.
Day to day, this role includes:
- Answering calls and emails from customers — professionally, promptly, and with a good attitude
- Obtaining supplier quotes and preparing estimates to send to customers
- Creating and submitting locate tickets before job start dates
- Keeping the job schedule current and flagging anything that needs attention
- Calling customers with updates on timelines and job status
- Invoicing completed jobs and processing payments
- Tracking jobs from estimate to completion so nothing gets lost
- Using QuickBooks for invoicing and basic bookkeeping tasks
- Identifying bid opportunities and preparing estimates with owner input
- Using AI tools to increase efficiency
- Maintaining the systems and processes we’ve built — and helping improve them over time
- General office organization, compliance tasks, and administrative support
Skills & Experience
Required:
- Strong written and verbal communication — you can write a professional email and talk to a frustrated customer without flinching
- Organized and detail-oriented — you notice when something’s missing before it becomes a problem
- Comfortable with computers and willing to learn new software quickly
- Reliable and punctual — the team depends on you showing up ready
- Positive and adaptable — you can shift gears without losing your cool
Preferred (but not required):
- Experience with QuickBooks, Excel, or similar tools
- Background in a construction, trades, or field service environment
- Familiarity with locate ticket systems
- Experience in a customer-facing office role
Growth & What This Role Can Become
This role starts part-time. It won’t stay that way.
Our goal is to grow this to a full-time position within 6 months for the right person. We’re a company that rewards people who earn it — through performance reviews, wage increases tied to results, and expanding responsibility for those who want it. If you’re looking for a place to grow, this is it.
90-Day Probationary Period
All new hires begin with a 90-day probationary period. We use this time to set you up for success, give you honest feedback, and evaluate fit — on both sides. At the end of 90 days, we conduct a formal review. Strong performance during this period is the fastest path to a wage increase and full-time hours. Employment is at-will under Iowa law.
How to Apply
Please apply through Indeed by submitting your résumé.
A cover letter is welcome but not required. Instead, we’d love for you to answer one question in your application:
“What is one tool, system, or habit you use to stay organized when things get busy?”
There’s no right answer. We just want to see how you think.
We are reviewing applications immediately and will reach out to qualified candidates within a few business days.
- Gullett Fence is an equal opportunity employer.
Pay: $15.00 - $17.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
Salary : $15 - $17