A site clerk performs a wide range of office duties for a company. Site clerks are typically referred to as office clerks or administrative assistants. They work in nearly every industry, and while their duties may be considered mundane, they are often crucial to a company’s success. That’s because clerks save other workers time by handling the majority of the “lighter” tasks.

Basics

Site clerks do a little bit of everything in an office. Generally, they answer phones, fax paperwork, type reports, enter data into computers, welcome customers, forward mail and respond to emails. Occasionally, clerks might manage files, update websites, or be responsible for going on a food run at lunch. Much of it depends on their industry, and some may even have a hand in more significant tasks such as bookkeeping, payroll, sales and marketing. Clerks also might take minutes at meetings and help copy edit employee handbooks or newsletters.

Skills

Site clerks need to be well-versed in every aspect related to office work. That includes a basic understanding of grammar, math and customer service. They should be professional, organized, courteous to co-workers and clients, and be able to work well alone, with a team or under the watchful eye of a supervisor. Clerks also likely need to be proficient typists and familiar with computers and the programs related to their industry.

Background

Most site clerks can learn on the job, although part of that depends on industry. Educationally, a high school diploma is usually sufficient to get hired. In some instances, clerks will need an associate degree or certificate from a community college or trade school. If that’s the case, clerks tend to focus their studies on courses such as typing, word processing, English and perhaps mathematics. In some cases, clerks will need previous related experience as a secretary or receptionist before a company hires them.

Prospects

Since site clerks are often vital to a company’s overall mission, there should be no shortage of opportunities. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, clerks are expected to see their prospects increase by 12 percent during the 2008-18 decade. Not bad, considering more than three million workers held jobs as general office clerks in May 2008, according to the BLS.

Earnings

Site clerks can expect a yearly salary of around $25,000 per year, regardless of industry. According to PayScale.com, office clerks earned an annual salary of anywhere from nearly $21,000 to almost $31,000 in April 2010. Also, the BLS reported that the median annual wage for an office clerk was $25,320 in May 2008.