Interview with an EmployeeAdministrative Assistant to

The Honourable Ross WisemanMinister of Finance and

President of Treasury Board

Actually what I do in my position fits very closely with what I would like to be doing.

Performing as an Administrative Assistant to the Minister of Finance allows me to deal with people on a daily basis on a wide range of issues. I deal with Executive Officials of all government departments both provincially and federally along with outside agencies and commissions. I work very closely with the Premier’s Office on a daily basis. I also deal with the general public on a daily basis and help people with a wide range of issues. I am very much a people person and love to listen and learn from each person that I speak with and to let them know that I will do my best to help them with their particular situation.

How closely does what you are actually doing fit with what you would like to be doing?

What I enjoy most about my career is the opportunity to manage the Minister’s Office and to do my best to make sure the office runs as smoothly as possible.

I love the part of dealing with all of the Minister’s constituents in which I do my best to listen to these people and hear them out and give them the assurance that I will do whatever I can to help them out with their problems and to guide them in the right direction that will help their situation.

I also enjoy working directly with the Premier’s Office on a daily basis and the new things I learn everyday. My job is highly confidential and I am involved in the Cabinet process and all Cabinet Ministers. Everyday there is learning curbs and challenges that I have to deal with. Sometimes I am placed in difficult situations but that makes it more challenging and exciting.

What do you enjoy about your career?

First thing every morning when I arrive I will meet with the Minister and discuss his calendar with him and obtain any briefing materials he may need for his meetings throughout the day. We will review all invitations the Minister has received and any travel arrangements he may need in the near future.

Cabinet Ministers are on Cabinet Committees that meet weekly to prepare Cabinet Papers that are brought before Cabinet Meetings in which the Premier and his Minister’s will make decisions on issues which are brought to Cabinet. These decisions have a huge impact on our province.

I am very busy answering or finding answers for people that call looking for the Minister’s help in different issues they may be faced with.

I also work on a daily basis with other Minister’s Assistants scheduling meetings and planning conventions, conference calls etc..

Describe your typical work day.

The Minister is very busy and looks for his Assistant to draft replies to correspondence which is received on a daily basis for his signature.

I also have to deal with the Executive Staff daily in which you have to obtain direction on correspondence or upcoming meetings.

The Minister’s schedule is extremely busy, I have the responsibility to get him to each meeting on a timely basis.

At the end of the day I will schedule myself to meet with him to discuss the next day and make sure he is prepared for the next busy day.

Describe your typical work day

The part of my job that I find most challenging is controlling the Minister’s calendar on a daily basis which is changed almost every hour of the day.

This could mean people traveling from outside the province that have to see him and he gets called to the Premier’s Office. This means a lot of juggling and adjusting so that everyone’s needs can be met. This can become very challenging sometimes but always seem to work out. Executive staff fill in on some occasions to help fill the gaps in his calendar.

What parts of your job do you find most challenging?

Of course there are negatives to my job, there are negatives to every job but we find ways to deal with these negatives. Some of the negatives in my job are when people call wanting the Minister to help them in hardship situations and we really do try our best but unfortunately we do not have happy outcomes for everyone and it is quite difficult when you know that you cannot always have a solution to every situation. We do our best and obtain as must help and relief as we can but it is sad sometimes.

Are there any negatives to your job?

Yes, I feel I do work well with people as I have to deal with all kinds of people in my position and I am very interested in what every person has to say whether I can help them or not. I am willing to help which many times that may mean just listening to the person and being there for them. There isn’t always solutions to a person’s problems but just being there and taking the time to listen means a lot to a person. I feel I learn from every conversation I have and I am sure they learn something from me.

Also, having a good relationship with your co-workers helps to make your job much more rewarding.

Do you work well with people?

My working conditions are very good. I have a beautiful office with everything at my fingertips. I couldn’t ask for any better. Very lucky.

What are your working conditions like?

One of my biggest accomplishments is setting up particular computer programs that help make our office run smoothly.

Doing my work to the best of my ability so that I know I did the best I could do and that makes for a very satisfying feeling.

When you have people just saying thanks for a job well done. This is very rewarding.

What are your biggest accomplishments?

Yes, I certainly do consider myself successful as I entered the Public Service back in 1986 and worked my way up the latter. It took many years and a lot of hard work but now I am the one of the highest paid Administrative Assistants in the Public Service.

Do you consider yourself successful? Why?

I work very well under pressure as I deal with a lot of stress on a daily basis and just take a deep breathe and relax and take each situation as it comes along. I tell myself to remain calm so that I can remain focused and calm.

How well are you under pressure?

I am currently in the Executive level of the Department of Finance.

Are you of high authority of work?

I do not consider my work dangerous but when you deal with people on a continuous basis and these people are sometimes in hardship situations and do not know how to deal with their situation or where to turn for help it can become a dangerous situation if not handled properly.

Do you consider your work dangerous?Why or why not?

I work 35 hours per week.

How many hours a week do you work?

This position requires a post-secondary secretarial/business program as well as related administrative experience of a progressively responsible nature at the Executive level. It requires considerable knowledge and experience in responsible administrative and secretarial practices, records management, and government operations.

What education requirements do you need for this job?

This is a difficult question for me to answer as I am busy from the time I come in the office in the morning until I leave to go home in the evening. Hey I could even stay and work in the evenings but everyone needs to go home at the end of the day to their family.

My job gets a lot more demanding during the budget process and preparing for budget day. At this time I have to work long days and nights.

How busy are you weekly?

Yes after you have your interview there is a written test to be completed.

Is there any physical testing required for your job?

It sure does, it benefits the Minister as it ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the Office of the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.

It also benefits other government departments and Executives helping them balance their budget at the end of each year.

Also it benefits the Minister’s constituents which are the people that live in the Minister’s District.

Does your job benefit other people?

Yes, my job does require travel occasionally.

Does your job require travel?

No my job does not require a certain type of transportation.

Does your job require a certain type of transportation?

No, this is not what I wanted to do as a child. I wanted to be a Nurse as a child but learned as I grew older that a Nurse wasn’t for me.

Is this what you wanted to do as a child?

Somebody in my profession usually makes from $60,000 to $80,000 per year.

What does somebody in your profession usually make a year?

Some problems I face daily at my work place are people being declined for a variety of applications that they may have submitted and informing these people is not at all easy.

People feel that when they call the Minister’s office and we are able to correct situations for them no matter what the rules are.

Confidentiality Issues.

What are some problems you face daily at your work place?