Administrative Services Managers
Description OES Code: 13014
Plan, organize, direct, control, or coordinate the supportive services department of a business, agency, or organization. Managers who spend less than 80 percent of their time in administrative services should be classified in another appropriate managerial category. Include Property Managers and Contract Administrators. Exclude Procurement Managers.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $16.30
25th Percentile $19.37
50th Percentile $26.86
75th Percentile $38.13

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $15.57
25th Percentile $17.38
50th Percentile $23.90
75th Percentile $31.48

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Most administrative services and facility managers work a standard 40-hour week. However, uncompensated overtime is often required to resolve problems and meet deadlines. Facility managers are often on call to address a variety of problems that can arise in a facility during non-work hours. Because of frequent deadlines and the challenges of managing staff and resources, the work of administrative services and facility managers can be stressful.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 48,500
Projected Employment 2008 60,200
Percent Change 1998-2008 24.1%
Separations 1998-2008 9,500

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 410
Projected Employment 2006 470
Percent Change 1999-2006 14.6%
Separations 1999-2006 50

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Administrative services managers generally work in comfortable offices. Managers involved in contract administration and personal property procurement, use, and disposal may travel between their home office, branch offices, vendors' offices, and property sales sites. Also, facility managers who are responsible for the design of workspaces may spend time at construction sites and may travel between different facilities while monitoring the work of maintenance, grounds, and custodial staffs. However, new technology has increased the number of managers who telecommute from home or other offices, and teleconferencing has reduced the need for travel.

Advancement
Most administrative services managers in small organizations advance by moving to other management positions or to a larger organization. Advancement is easier in large firms that employ several levels of administrative services managers. Attainment of the Certified Administrative Manager (CAM) designation offered by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers through work experience and successful completion of examinations can increase a manager's advancement potential. In addition, a bachelor's degree enhances a first-level manager's opportunities to advance to a mid-level management position, such as director of administrative services, and eventually to a top-level management position, such as executive vice president for administrative services. Those with the required capital and experience can establish their own management consulting firm.

Getting the Job & Other Information
In small organizations, experience may be the only requirement needed to enter a position as office manager. When an opening in administrative services management occurs, the office manager may be promoted to the position based on past performance. In large organizations, however, administrative services managers are normally hired from outside and each position has formal education and experience requirements. Some administrative services managers have advanced degrees.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Specific requirements vary by job responsibility. For first-line administrative services managers of secretarial, mailroom, and related support activities, many employers prefer an associate degree in business or management, although a high school diploma may suffice when combined with appropriate experience. For managers of audiovisual, graphics, and other technical activities, postsecondary technical school training is preferred. Managers of highly complex services such as contract administration generally need a bachelor's degree in business, human resources, or finance. Regardless of major, the curriculum should include courses in office technology, accounting, business mathematics, computer applications, human resources, and business law. Whatever the manager's educational background, it must be accompanied by related work experience reflecting demonstrated ability. For this reason, many administrative services managers have advanced through the ranks of their organization, acquiring work experience in various administrative positions before assuming first-line supervisory duties. All managers who oversee departmental supervisors should be familiar with office procedures and equipment. Managers of personal property acquisition and disposal need experience in purchasing and sales, and knowledge of a variety of supplies, machinery, and equipment. Managers concerned with supply, inventory, and distribution should be experienced in receiving, warehousing, packaging, shipping, transportation, and related operations. Contract administrators may have worked as contract specialists, cost analysts, or procurement specialists. Managers of unclaimed property often have experience in insurance claims analysis and records management.

Skills & Other Requirements
Persons interested in becoming administrative services or facility managers should have good communication skills and be able to establish effective working relationships with many different people, ranging from managers, supervisors, and professionals, to clerks and blue-collar workers. They should be analytical, detail oriented, flexible, and decisive. The ability to coordinate several activities at once, quickly analyze and resolve specific problems, and cope with deadlines is also important.

References
US Bureau Of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

Related Occupations: Personnel Specialists & Managers, Property and Real Estate Managers

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)