Question: I have just finished overseeing the remodel of our home. Now I need to get back to work to pay for it! I enjoyed learning about construction during the remodel and thought I might try to seek employment as a construction secretary. What can you tell me about this job?
—Linda

Response: Unlike customary administrative positions, the on-site construction secretary must understand building plans and specifications and should be knowledgeable of industry-specific vocabulary.

On-site secretaries use their expertise to write job-specific contracts for a variety of workers including drywallers and masons. Preparing contracts also requires applying the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) coding system.

Like most administrative assistants, on-site secretaries schedule meetings and appointments, organize and maintain paper and computer files, and correspond via telephone, postal service, and e-mail. Other tasks include arranging travel schedules, compiling and typing statistical reports and recording the minutes of staff meetings. Plus, they may accept responsibility for project management and research.

Employment Outlook:
Opportunities are best for on-site secretaries who are proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. According to the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), between 1995-2000, the number of women in construction increased 20 percent from 762,000 to 913,000, with nearly half serving in an administrative or related capacity.

The local NAWIC chapter also states construction companies are currently very busy and have been over recent months in response to Southern California's improving construction industry.

Salary Range:
According to a NAWIC representative, beginning annual salaries for on-site secretaries are approximately $26,000. Those with skills and experience can earn from approximately $30,000 to $35,000 per year. After one to two years of experience, an on-site secretary can move up to the position of project administrator/coordinator, earning an annual salary of approximately $45,000 to start.

Training Options & Costs:
In addition to computer skills, course work in contracting can be helpful. In addition, most contractors provide two weeks of training to beginning on-site secretaries and encourage continual job development.
Construction Specifications Institute
Los Angeles Branch
550 S. Hope Street, 27th Floor
Los Angeles CA 90071-2627
(213) 629-0100
Contact: Edmund C. Bush, Chapter President
E-mail: ecbuch@leoadaly.com
This association offers to both members and non-members professional development on-line training seminars, and industry specific publications. On-line seminars include, Basic Specifications Writing and Specifications and Keynoting offered at a cost of $195 for members and $250 for nonmembers. Industry publications include Construction Specifications Writing at a cost of $86 for members and $90 for nonmembers and Overall Construction Classification System at a cost of $55 for both members and nonmembers.
Santa Monica College
1900 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405-1628
(310) 434-4000
www.smc.edu
This community college offers a class titled, Reading Blueprints, which covers "vocabulary" of lines and symbols used on construction drawings for both residential and commercial projects and is beneficial to people working in the construction industry. This class is offered in the evening at a cost of $175. The college also provides a variety of day and evening computer classes including introduction to Windows, and all Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), to Computer Accounting, to Quickbooks, and to Computer Accounting at a cost of $11 per unit.
Beverly Hills Adult School
255 South Lasky Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 551-5150
www.bhas.beverlyhills.k12.ca.us
The adult school offers computer software classes in IBM & Mac - Windows, Excel, Word, Quicken, Access, PowerPoint, Freehand and Photo Shop. Computer classes range in cost from $60 to $95. They can accommodate 24 students in a class one student to a computer
West Valley Regional Occupational Center
6200 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(818) 346-3540
www.lausd.k12.ca.us
This business department offers a variety of computer classes including an introduction to computers, an introduction to all Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint), proficient and expert levels on Microsoft Word and Excel, and word processing. These semester classes range in cost from $45 to $60.

Job Resources:
ConstructionJobs.com
This is an online career resource for those interested in working for the construction industry. This site allows for job seekers to search for a variety of positions include secretarial and administrative and also provides a link for posting an online resume for potential employers to view.
Construction Affairs
P.O. Box 7050
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
(714) 969-7469
Fax (714) 969-7490
E-mail: staff@constructionaffairs.com
Construction Affairs is an online source of construction industry information. Their web site provides a listing of industry-related articles, of calendar of events, of classified openings, and also a direct link to related associations and organizations.

Professional Associations:
Construction Specifications Institute
99 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 300
Alexandria VA 22314
(800) 689-2900
www.csinet.org
Los Angeles Branch
550 S. Hope Street, 27th Floor
Los Angeles CA 90071-2627
(213) 629-0100
Contact: Edmund C. Bush, Chapter President
E-mail: ecbuch@leoadaly.com
This is an individual membership technical society whose core purpose is to improve the process of creating and sustaining the built environment. Associate membership is open to those professionals that provide support or assistance in the construction industry. Membership benefits include discounts on various industry coding specification publications, networking opportunities at monthly local chapter meetings, and professional development at seminars. Annual associate membership dues are $180.
Monthly membership meetings are held at the following location:
New Otani Hotel
120 Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 243-6658
Contact: Sue Brown
National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
327 S. Adams Street
Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 877-5551
Fax (817) 0324
www.nawic.org
Los Angeles Chapter #42, Region 12
P.O. Box 90935
Pasadena, CA 91109-0935
(800) 481-9001
Information Contact: Trudie Hentze
E-mail: tjhentze@aol.com
(818) 502-3663
This professional association serves to enhance the success of women in the construction industry.

Membership benefits include networking opportunities at monthly membership meetings, industry updates through receipt of a bimonthly magazine, The NAWIC Image, and educational seminars and professional development workshops at regional conferences.

The Los Angeles Chapter meets every third Tuesday of the month at Le Frere Taix Restaurant, located at 1911 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles. Most meetings involve guest speakers including industry lawyers and business owners. For reservations, call Michelle Woods at (213) 996-2552. Diane Frank (626-445-5052) is the contact for the San Fernando Valley chapter. Vivian, at 805/496-4764, is the Simi-Conejo Valley chapter contact.

Job opportunities are derived through networking. Each chapter has an Occupational Research and Referral Chairperson (Trudie Heinz for the Los Angeles Chapter) who will forward any resumes received to companies who have notified NAWIC of available positions.
Women In Non-Traditional Employment Roles (WINTER)
1932 W. 19th Street
Long Beach, CA 90810
(562) 590-2266
Fax (562) 430-9181
www.constructionaffairs.com
WINTER's mission is to encourage and support women's training, employment, and retention in high wage, high skill jobs. Members include union, nonunion, and self-employed. Membership benefits include networking opportunities at monthly support groups, job counseling and assistance, and a monthly newsletter.

— • —  
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.