Executive Assistant This position is exempt from the State of Delaware Merit System

About the Role

The Executive Assistant supports the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, performing high-level administrative and support work to facilitate problem-solving, decision-making, and communication across the agency. This role involves representing the executives on administrative matters with internal and external leaders, including the Office of the Governor, state and federal legislators and agencies, interest groups, media, and the public.

Reporting directly to the Cabinet Secretary, this individual will handle priorities with short deadlines, assist with unusual situations, provide personal and confidential assistance to the Secretary, and manage office activities to ensure efficient operations and workflow.

Responsibilities

• Oversees constituent relations, including resolving crisis situations in service delivery referred by the Office of the Governor (OGOV), legislators, other agencies, and the public. Ensures constituent contacts are handled quickly and responsively.
• Directs and conducts special projects that may involve issues of a sensitive or confidential nature.
• Participates in planning, policy formulation, budgeting, and addressing issues and challenges.
• Reviews correspondence and reports, determines the appropriate level of authority to handle requests, complaints, or issues, oversees tracking and reporting of data to ensure compliance with policies and procedures, and keeps agency leadership briefed.
• Tracks and analyzes proposed legislation impacting the agency, coordinates with staff, and makes recommendations.
• Receives media requests, researches issues and data, and prepares appropriate media responses. Prepares press releases for circulation.
• Provides liaison with internal and external executives, OGOV, legislators, special interest groups, media, council/commission members, state/federal contacts, and the public. Responds to inquiries and complaints, and explains policies, procedures, regulations, and the agency’s position on issues.
• Develops agendas and programs for meetings, conferences, or special presentations and represents the official at meetings and on task forces.
• Plans, coordinates, and directs office activities and analyzes, recommends, and implements operating practices, policies, and procedures.
• May supervise two or more merit full-time positions, including planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, disciplining, and recommending hire, termination, and promotion.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

Applicants must attach a resume with their online application or use the resume tab in DEL to provide a detailed description of how their education, training, and/or experience meet each job requirement, including employer, experience/responsibilities, and dates (month/year) of employment/training.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware Executive Branch participates in the Federal E-Verify system. All new hires are required to report to the Statewide New Employee Orientation (SNEO) on their first day of employment.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package, visit the State of Delaware benefits website.