Senior Administrative Specialist

Agency Information:  Kansas Department of Agriculture

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is devoted to the total support of agriculture in Kansas. The department works for the entire Kansas agriculture sector including farmers, ranchers, food establishments and agribusinesses. The agency has a balanced approach to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and Kansas economy while promoting and advocating for the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, employer, and economic contributor. KDA helps to ensure a safe food supply, protects natural resources, promotes public health and safety, protects animal health, and provides consumer protection to the best of our ability.

Kansas Department of Agriculture: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
•  Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Work Schedule: Days
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veteran Preference Eligible: Yes
• Disability Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Annual Salary Range: $38,500 to $40,000 Per Year
• Hourly Pay Range: $18.51 to $19.23 Per Hour

* Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

This position will remain posted until filled.          

Location: KDA Headquarters – Manhattan, Kansas. 

The Pesticide and Fertilizer Program is seeking an organized and efficient professional, highly experienced in general office, clerical and administrative support, to join our team as a Senior Administrative Specialist. The duties of this position are diverse in nature often involving multiple or non-sequential steps. This position serves as the Pesticide and Fertilizer Program’s primary point of contact with the general public. An understanding of the interaction of this program and other programs within KDA as well as programs of other state and federal agencies must be maintained.

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

• Perform a wide variety of office administrative tasks including but not limited to answering phones, scanning and faxing documents, making copies, shipping packages, ordering supplies, data entry, etc. 
• Handle, process, and track all expense requisitions, purchase orders, and travel authorizations.
• Process daily mail, identify and sort documents, then follow the proper workflow procedures for processing each document type.
• Maintain the program’s main email account, make appointments for program staff as needed, and manage the program’s calendar to schedule events and meetings. 
• Assist in the development and update of electronic forms and documents, training materials, and/or presentations.
• Manage the program’s record retention plan and acts as the program’s Open Records custodian.
• This position may be called upon to perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Professionally minded individuals with at least one year of direct experience in general office, clerical and administrative support work.  Candidates may also qualify through a combination of relevant work experience, education, training or certification. 
• This position must perform routine office tasks such as sitting, reading, examining documents, and viewing a computer for long periods of time.
• Excellent organizational skills with knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office Products and tools.
• Experience with data entry and database management.
• Must be able to work independently collecting and compiling information from a variety of resources. 
• This position requires the physical dexterity that permits standing, kneeling, bending, and stretching; climbing up and down steps; and lifting objects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to learn, read, and comprehend written directions, policies, statutes, and regulations.
• Employee must have a valid Class C (or higher) Kansas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state. Employee is responsible for maintaining an acceptable driving record to safely drive state vehicle and be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position. 

Preferred Qualifications (Not Required):

• Knowledge of relevant state and federal statutes, regulations, and policies.
• Knowledge of the pesticide industry, the fertilizer industry, or common agricultural practices.

Post-Offer/Pre-employment Requirements:

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas.  Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer.  A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.   

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you.  The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas.  The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Alyssa Satterthwaite
• Email:  Alyssa.Satterthwaite@ks.gov 
• Phone: (785) 564-6713
• Fax: (785) 564-6777
• Mailing Address: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:

• On the My Job Applications page, verify these documents are present and valid. Upload or delete and replace if needed.
  • DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)
• Inside your Job Application, upload the these documents:
  • Resume (or choose existing resume if you have one)
  • Cover Letter

Job Application Process

• Sign in to your existing account or Register for a new account.
• Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page.
• Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.
• Complete and Submit your application.
• Check your email and My Job  Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email - the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.
  • Notifications - view the Careers>My Job Notifications page.

See the helpful links below to assist in completing your application:

• Instructions:
  • Job Search
  • Registration & User Account
  • Application
  • Frequently Asked Questions 

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position.  The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job.  Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.

Salary : $38,500 - $40,000