First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers in San Bernardino County

May also be called: Office Administrators; Office Coordinators; and Office Managers

What Would I Do?

Every organization needs the office to function effectively and efficiently on a daily basis. Office Support Supervisors and Managers oversee the day-to-day tasks of clerical and support workers in departments, such as accounting, billing, customer service, or data processing. Earning the respect and support of staff is a critical element to running a smooth and efficient office.

Supervisors and Managers are found in every sector of the economy, and job titles reflect that diversity: Administrative Coordinator, Billing Services Manager, Customer Service Manager, Shipping and Receiving Manager, and Teller Supervisor.

Planning the workload and supervising staff are key responsibilities of Office Support Supervisors and Managers. In order to accomplish this, they must know the strengths and weaknesses of their staff, distribute work assignments and issue deadlines, oversee the work to ensure it proceeds on schedule, and certify that quality standards are met. To do this, Supervisors and Managers meet regularly with staff to discuss their progress and exchange ideas. They may also have to resolve disagreements among staff. In companies covered by union contracts, Supervisors and Managers must know the terms of labor agreements and run their sections accordingly.

Office Support Supervisors and Managers interview and evaluate prospective employees. Once hired, they provide orientation to acquaint new workers with their organization and its operating procedures. Supervisors and Managers train new workers on company policies and the operation of office equipment, such as the telephone and computer system. As new office equipment is acquired or computer software updated, Supervisors and Managers train workers to use it efficiently or arrange for training.

Supervisors and Managers evaluate a worker’s performance and recommend raises, a promotion or an award if the worker has done well on the job. If a worker is performing poorly, they may identify and discuss the problem and assist the worker to improve performance and behavior. This may require the employee to complete a training course or seek personal counseling. If the matter does not improve, the Supervisor/Manager may initiate a transfer, demotion, or dismissal.

In many industries, employers are reducing the number of permanent support workers and replacing them with temporary support staff.

Working Conditions

Office Support Supervisors and Managers generally work in clean, comfortable, well-lit, and well-ventilated offices. They usually work 40 hours a week; however, they may have to work nights, weekends, and holidays if a company works around the clock. Supervisors and Managers may be required to work overtime to meet business needs. Shift rotations are generally assigned based on seniority; although in some cases, Supervisors and Managers rotate among three 8-hour shifts in a workday.

Supervisors and Managers in small firms may have a staff of one to three employees; whereas in larger firms, they may supervise more employees and have a private office.

Most workers in this occupation are not represented by unions. However, those who work in government or hospital settings have the option to join unions, such as the Service Employees International Union.

Will This Job Fit Me?

The job of Office Support Supervisor and Manager will appeal to those who enjoy developing and building teams, gathering and processing information, are careful about details, and are thorough in completing work. The Office Support Supervisors and Managers occupation satisfies those with enterprising interests. Enterprising occupations involve working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

What Wages and Benefits Can I Expect?

Wages

The median wage in 2021 for Office and Administrative Support Supervisors in California was $63,400 annually, or $30.48 hourly. The median wage for Office and Administrative Support Supervisors in the Inland Empire Area was $60,442 annually, or $29.06 hourly. The median is the point at which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.

Benefits

Some employers may offer Office Support Supervisors and Managers additional compensation in the form of bonuses and stock options.

What is the Job Outlook?

Candidates will encounter keen competition because the number of applicants will exceed the number of job openings. However, a large number of job openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations, retire from the labor force, or leave for other reasons.

The elimination of some levels of upper management in a number of industries has resulted in a higher level of responsibility delegated to Office Support Supervisors and Managers.

Projections of Employment

In California, the number of Office and Administrative Support Supervisors is expected to grow slower than average growth rate for all occupations. Jobs for Office and Administrative Support Supervisors are expected to increase by 1.7 percent, or 3,100 jobs between 2018 and 2028.

In the Inland Empire Area, the number of Office and Administrative Support Supervisors is expected to grow slower than average growth rate for all occupations. Jobs for Office and Administrative Support Supervisors are expected to increase by 4.6 percent, or 670 jobs between 2018 and 2028.

How Do I Qualify?

Education, Training, and Other Requirements

Employers generally look for candidates with a high school diploma and training in vocational schools, postsecondary training, Regional Occupational Programs, and related on-the-job experience. Some employers seek candidates with an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Training is largely on the job. Training in management, supervision, or communication and interpersonal skills will enhance opportunities for advancement.

Experience

The amount and type of experience required varies from company to company. Some companies offer management training programs, where new college graduates are hired and rotated as Supervisors and Managers through departments of an organization to learn how the company works. These positions serve as entry-level training for potential upper-management positions. Candidates who have a background in an office environment may have an advantage.

Early Career Planning

High school students interested in this kind of work should take classes in English, mathematics, business, and computer technology. Some employers and local high schools have work-study programs that give students a chance to earn a salary while learning their jobs.

Continuing Education

Continuing education is not required in this occupation. However, Supervisors and Managers may take courses in information technology or management to keep their skills polished. They may also attend seminars and training sessions offered by local community colleges, professional associations, or private training providers.

Apprenticeship and Work Study Programs

Training and general office experience for Supervisors and Managers can be gained through cooperative education programs such as Regional Occupational Programs (ROP). To find an ROP program near you, go to the California Association of Regional Occupational Centers and Programs Web site.

Where Can I Find Training?

There are two ways to search for training information:

• Search by Field of Study to find what programs are available and what schools offer those programs. You may use keywords such as: Office Management and Supervision; Medical Office Management/Administration; Customer Service Management; Manager; and Supervisor.
• Search by Training Provider to find schools by name, type of school, or location.

Contact the schools you are interested in to learn about the classes available, tuition and fees, and any prerequisite course work.

Where Would I Work?

Office Support Supervisors and Managers in California work in almost all industries. The largest number are found in organizations with a large administrative support workforce, such as banks, state and local government agencies, health care facilities, schools, and insurance companies. The largest industries employing Office and Administrative Support Supervisors are as follows:

Finding a Job

Direct application to employers remains one of the most effective forms of job search methods for Office Support Supervisors and Managers. Newspaper classified ads also provide a helpful resource for local job openings. Since they work in almost all industries, you can focus your search by checking private firms listed in your local telephone directory yellow pages.  Online job opening systems include JobCentral at www.jobcentral.com and CalJOBS^SM at www.caljobs.ca.gov.

To find your nearest One-Stop Career Center, go to Service Locator. View the helpful job search tips for more resources. (requires Adobe Reader).

Yellow Page Headings

You can focus your local job search by checking employers listed online or in your local telephone directory. Below are some suggested headings where you might find employers of Office and Administrative Support Supervisors.

• Business Management
• Business Services
• Employment Agencies
• Financial Services
• Insurance
• Word Processing Services

Find Possible Employers

To locate a list of employers in your area, go to "Find Employers" on the Labor Market Information Web site:

• Select one of the top industries that employ the occupation. This will give you a list of employers in that industry in your area.
• Click on "View Filter Selections" to limit your list to specific cities or employer size.
• Click on an employer for the street address, telephone number, size of business, Web site, etc.
• Contact the employer for possible employment.

Where Could This Job Lead?

Office Support Supervisors and Managers who gain work experience and regularly update their skills with training can advance to senior supervisory positions or specialize in areas such as finance, advertising and promotions, or administrative services. These positions which command higher wages and a broad level of decision making.

Related Occupations

Below is a list of occupations related to Office and Administrative Support Supervisors with links to more information.

Other Sources

• American Management Association
       www.amanet.org
• Institute of Certified Professional Managers
       www.icpm.biz
• International Association of Administrative Professionals
       www.iaap-hq.org
• National Management Association
       www.nma1.org
• Service Employees International Union
       www.seiu.org
• Society for Human Resource Management
       www.shrm.org

These links are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement by EDD.

For the Career Professional

The following codes are provided to assist counselors, job placement workers, or other career professionals.