Navigating the Administrative Assistant Traineeships

• Currently in a transferable title
• Successfully passed a typing check

Prior to appointment, you must have passed an appropriate keyboarding test that demonstrates your ability to enter text at a rate of at least 30 words per minute with at least 96% accuracy.  You will not need to take this test if you have served in an appropriate keyboarding title.

• Contact the UB Recruitment team to schedule a typing test: UB-Jobs@buffalo.edu
•  Bring a photo ID to Human Resources, Townsend Hall, South Campus for your scheduled test

As an Administrative Assistant Trainee 1, you would perform the duties of an Administrative Assistant 1 but at a more basic level.  You may assist in: establishing office procedures; designing filing systems; implementing policies and procedures; maintaining efficient work flow; resolving day-to-day operational problems; responding to phone calls; sorting mail; organize, expediting and following up on projects; and coordinating information flow by acting as liaison among executives, staff, other employees and the public. 

Trainees will receive a combination of structured training, on-the-job training, and practical job performance to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to function at the full performance level.

Trainees must complete the following core courses:

• Microsoft Word Basics
• Customer Service
• Organized Office Worker
• Successful Business Writing

You must complete all mandatory coursework requirements before advancing to Administrative Assistant Trainee 2.

• Register to take the mandatory courses through UB Organizational Development and Effectiveness (OD&E) or CSEA Partnership
• Enter the course details and attach completion certificates in UB Edge when courses are completed from The Partnership
• Demonstrate learned skills in everyday work

• Currently in a transferable title
• Completed mandatory coursework for Administrative Assistant Trainee 1
• Completed 52 week probationary period

As an Administrative Assistant Trainee 2, you would perform the duties of an Administrative Assistant 1 but at a more basic level.  You may assist in establishing office procedures; designing filing systems; implementing policies and procedures; maintaining efficient workflow; resolving day-to-day operational problems; responding to phone calls; sorting mail; organizing, expediting, and following up on projects; and coordinating information flow by acting as a liaison among executives, staff, other employees and the public. 

Trainees will receive a combination of structured training, on-the-job training, and practical job performance to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to function at the full performance level.

In addition to the mandatory courses, trainees must also complete an additional 4 elective courses in the following competencies:

• Professionalism and  Self-Management
• Verbal and Written Communication
• Interpersonal and Customer Relations
• Computer Skills and Technology

The elective coursework requirements are generally completed while serving as an Administrative Assistant Trainee 2. All mandatory and elective coursework requirements must be completed before completing the traineeship and advancing to Administrative Assistant 1.

• Discuss elective course options with your supervisor for areas both of interest and that apply to the tasks of your position
• Register to take the elective courses through UB Organizational Development and Effectiveness (OD&E) or CSEA Partnership
• Enter the course details and attach completion certificates in UB Edge from The Partnership (if applicable)
• Demonstrate learned skills in everyday work