Executive Assistant to General Manager/Communications Specialist

PURPOSE:  The purpose of the Executive Assistant to the General Manager is to perform and oversee all executive office administrative responsibilities and to promote DES’ objectives, goals, and policies to DES customers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Perform a wide variety of administrative duties as required by the daily operations in the General Manager’s office.
2. Represent DES to the public, businesses, board members, council members and other agencies.
3. Coordinate office activities and schedules; develop and recommend office procedures and systems; ensure smooth office operations.
4. Review and summarize miscellaneous reports and documents; prepare background documents as needed.
5. Prepare draft reports on administrative matters, write and distribute the board meeting minutes, prepare articles for the Tennessee Connection magazine, handle advertisements for DES and monitor and update the DES website as needed. 
6. Produce updates and communications via social media. i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others.
7. Receive, review and screen communications directed to the General Manager and independently respond to letters and general correspondence of a routine nature.
8. Facilitate communication from departments within DES, handle customer inquiries and talk with media in the absence of the General manager,
9. Handle communications with TVA and develop a working knowledge of their contracts with DES, their rules, guidelines and work with TVA representatives, both on the phone and in person.
10. Handle vendors for magazines, sponsorship requests and coordinate and set up work with contractors when outages occur.
11. Make travel arrangements for the General Manager and attend meetings as directed.
12. Maintain awareness of community issues and keep General Manager informed.
13. Maintain membership in professional organizations, build network and deliver public speaking addresses for community things on behalf of DES, as directed by General Manager.
14. Maintain complete familiarity with DES’s operating practices and policies, service area, and products and services.
15. Recognizes himself/herself as a support member of the management group and an integral part of the System that requires active cooperation with all departments and employees.
16. Reasonably regular and reliable attendance.  This job is one that must be performed at the office and is not one to be considered for telework.
17. Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor of Science in Business, Communications or related field or equivalent of two years college-level coursework in business and three to five years of office administrative, supervisory experience. Or any equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties

SPECIAL SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to exercise independent judgment and effectively communicate with customers, other employees of DES and the general public.
2. Basic computer knowledge.
3. Highly organized, able to delegate responsibilities and manage multiple activities.
4. Must have highest degree of integrity, honesty, pleasant disposition,
   dependability and tact and must treat all DES employees with dignity and respect. 
5. Must be able to maintain composure during difficult situations to discuss and resolve issues and maintain open communications to achieve DES goals and objectives.
6. Must believe in, be sympathetic with, be interested in furthering the public understanding and acceptance of the utility’s objectives and be customer service oriented at all times.
7. Must be willing to work with all employees in the best interest of the utility and to accept changes in work programs and patterns to keep pace with changing times. 

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS:

1. Must possess at the time of employment a valid Class D Driver License allowing legal operation of a motor vehicle in Tennessee.  Maintaining of the Class D or equivalent license is a continuing condition of employment.
2. Must maintain at the time of employment or obtain at a time designated by DES, a valid certification of proficiency in adult CPR, first aid, and AED.

STATEMENT ON POSITION:

This job description and specification is to give the employee a reasonable expectation of the requirements and responsibilities of the job.  It in no way infers that the person will be limited only to the requirements stated.  Anything deemed necessary by the General Manager will become an integral part of the job.