GENERAL DESCRIPTION
As an entrepreneur with a family, community, and other responsibilities, I need someone to help me build my business, as well as deal with the routine, mundane, and prosaic recurring tasks that create distraction for me.
I'm looking for a positive, self-motivated, energetic, dependable, personable, and punctual personal assistant to help with professional and personal tasks: both general office duties as well as domestic responsibilities.
The successful candidate must have a passion for technology and be eager to help create a positive work environment and collaborative creative process among geeks, suits, tradespeople, tenants, and homeowners.
Although this is an ideal opportunity for a college or university student looking for part-time income and excellent experience, all qualified applicants will be considered.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
Office duties will include a variety of recordkeeping and communication tasks: managing calendars, setting up meetings, responding to correspondence, working with and scheduling installation crews, ordering supplies and materials, scheduling appointments, completing expense reports, creating and maintaining relationships with product reps, light data entry, and greeting visitors. Additionally, this role is responsible for generally keeping the office clean and orderly. An exceptional individual may be asked to assist with research, marketing, bidding projects and overseeing them to completion, managing tenant relations, as well as for creative evaluations of technical ideas.
Domestic responsibilities will include meal planning (little to no actual cooking), errands (car wash, drycleaning, etc.), shopping (client and family gifts, office supplies, etc.), and light housekeeping (dusting, vacuuming, emptying trash receptacles, and, yes, occasionally cleaning a toilet).
QUALIFICATIONS
This position demands an aptitude with and affinity for computers (far, far beyond an ability to download and play Angry Birds on your iPad); a basic understanding of electrical circuits (bonus points if you can describe Ohm's Law); proficiency in basic math and some algebraic principles (useful, for example, in reconciling a bank statement or understanding an amortization schedule), and an interest in simplifying and streamlining people's workflows and lifestyles.
Applicants must:
# be proficient or trainable in common software applications (word processing, spreadsheets, data entry, email, etc.);
# have excellent communication and customer service skills, including on the telephone, in person, and in written correspondence;
# have patience and empathy with difficult people and situations;
# receive sometimes vague instructions with poise and be able to diplomatically request additional clarification when conflicting requirements or priorities arise;
# recognize the inflection point between asking essential clarifying questions and needing frequent remedial instruction;
# have an ability to both make sound independent decisions and use initiative when appropriate.
Additionally, applicants must have a temperament enabling them to be productive under pressure and the discretion to handle a wide variety of confidential tasks.
The best candidate will also have excellent record-keeping, note-taking, and prioritization skills. A large vocabulary also helps.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
You must:
# be able to stoop and bend and have sufficient dexterity to pick up small objects.
# have balance sufficient to climb a stepstool while reaching over your head to grasp high objects.
# have strength and stamina sufficient to lift and carry up to 15 pounds routinely, up to 30 pounds occasionally, and up to 40 pounds rarely.
# be able to climb stairs to the second floor of a typical apartment or commercial building.
# have hearing sufficient to listen and understand oral instructions delivered in a conversational tone or over poor telephone connections.
# have vision sufficient to safely operate a vehicle and a computer as well as read hand-written notes (not at the same time!).
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
You must:
# have a current, unrestricted driver's license, and a clean driving record.
# be able to pass a drug screen.
# be able to pass a basic background check.
OPTIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Bonus points will be awarded if you:
# can drive a vehicle with a manual transmission;
# are familiar with real estate and landlord-tenant laws and regulations
# have experience with a variety of hand tools;
# are familiar with Linux and/or BSD;
# have experience with low-voltage wiring or household AC power, plumbing, carpentry, drywall, and other repairs.
Extra bonus points will be awarded if you understand:
# the fundamentals of protocols in the TCP/IP/UDP family; or
# how 802.11b/g/n/ac/an, Bluetooth, and/or ZigBee work;
# Insteon, Matter, or similar protocols.
HOURS, AVAILABILITY, and WORK LOCATION
This is a part-time role, with an expectation that you will work between twelve and sixteen hours per week. You must be available at least three contiguous hours per day, between two and four days each week. Typically, business hours are Monday through Saturday between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. with the exception of an occasional late night or weekend. The specific twelve to sixteen hours worked each week will be subject to negotiation from time to time; moreover, I am very flexible on the schedule. After 90 days of continuous employment, you may occasionally be able to work remotely; however, most of the duties and responsibilities of this role have a component requiring physical presence. Regardless of where you may work on any given day, you must have reliable transportation.
TO APPLY
If you are interested in this position, please send an email through Craigslist with your resume as a PDF attachment. After a review of your qualifications, you may be sent a link to a brief online application and/or a short skills assessment. Set aside at least 15 minutes to complete the process. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications may be asked to submit contact information for three references before an offer is extended.
