Administrative Assistant 2 - Polk Co

Administrative Assistant 2 - Polk Co

Salary

$50,398.40 - $74,068.80 Annually

Location

Des Moines - 50313 - Polk County, IA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

27-00281

Agency

009 Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Opening Date

07/28/2026

Closing Date

8/9/2026 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-POST

Point of Contact

Kathryn Polking

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

The approximately 345 employees of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)are responsible for programs that impact the quality of life of every Iowan. From supporting Iowa agriculture to protecting consumers and ensuring food safety, the work of IDALS touches communities across the state every day. Your work behind the scenes helps ensure Iowa consumers have access to safe, high-quality meat and poultry products.

The Meat & Poultry Inspection Bureauis seeking a full-time Administrative Assistant 2 to join our team at the Hoover State Office Building in Des Moines.

In this role, you will provide administrative and operational support that helps advance the Bureaus mission of inspecting locker plants, small packing plants, and other meat processing facilities to ensure compliance with food safety and humane animal handling standards under the Iowa Meat and Poultry Inspection Act. Your work will help keep Iowas food supply safe while supporting one of the states most important industries.

What Youll Do

• Provide administrative support to the Bureau Chief, assisting with bureau operations, program coordination, and communication with other bureaus, agencies, industry partners, and the public.
• Serve as the Bureaus primary coordinator for information technology needs, including onboarding new employees, coordinating hardware and software updates, and administering higher-level user roles within Workday and the USDA Public Health Information System.
• Collect, review, and maintain bureau data, including field staff reports, plant production totals, inspection records, and laboratory sample results while organizing data through spreadsheets and reporting tools.
• Assist in developing and managing the Bureaus annual budget requests by tracking expenditures, fees, and costs in partnership with the Accounting team.
• Coordinate the Bureaus laboratory sampling programs by serving as the primary liaison with laboratory staff, communicating sampling needs, and tracking testing results.

What Will Help You Succeed

• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build positive working relationships with coworkers, partner agencies, industry representatives, and the public.
• Be highly organized, self-motivated, and capable of managing multiple priorities while working independently in both office and remote environments.
• Have experience managing and analyzing data using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, or similar programs, and presenting information in clear, meaningful reports.
• Possess experience developing, monitoring, or supporting budgets and funding requests.
• Have experience onboarding and training employees, coordinating user access to systems, and managing agency technology resources and equipment.
• Be comfortable using Workday or similar human resource information systems to support staff and troubleshoot routine personnel or system-related questions.

Applicants are encouraged to attach a resume and cover letter during the application process. Documents may be uploaded in the Attachments section of the application.

Why IDALS?

At the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, our work matters. Every day, our employees help protect Iowas food supply, support agricultural innovation, promote environmental stewardship, and serve the people who make Iowa a national leader in agriculture.

Joining IDALS means becoming part of a collaborative team dedicated to public service, continuous improvement, and meaningful work that makes a difference across the state. Whether youre supporting our inspectors behind the scenes or working directly with stakeholders, your contributions help strengthen Iowas agricultural future.

Benefits

As a State of Iowa employee, youll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Affordable, high-quality health insurance with low monthly premiums.
• Dental insurance at no cost for single coverage.
• Employer-paid basic life insurance and long-term disability insurance, with optional supplemental life insurance available.
• Membership in the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS), a defined-benefit pension plan.
• Optional deferred compensation plan with a State match of up to $75 per month.
• Generous paid time off, including holidays, vacation, sick leave, military leave, and jury duty leave.

Learn more about the outstanding benefits available to State of Iowa employees by visiting the State of Iowa Benefits webpage.

E-Verify and Right to Work: The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelors degree in any field, and experience equal to one year of full-time administrative support (e.g., screening visitors and callers; opening/distributing mail, typing/proofing documents, letters, and reports; organizing files; scheduling meetings/appointments; arranging travel; processing travel claims; ordering supplies/equipment) or technical support work (e.g., determining budget, personnel, and equipment needs; compiling/evaluating statistical, historical, economic, business, financial or technical program data; interpreting or securing compliance with laws, rules and regulations; reviewing operating records/reports and evaluating their effectiveness).
• A total of five years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one) where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to 12 months of full-time work as an Administrative Assistant 1.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Why Choose the State of Iowa?

At the heart of our commitment to excellence is a dedication to our most valuable asset - our employees. Discover the outstanding benefits that set us apart as an employer of choice.

Our Robust Benefits Package Includes:

Competitive Compensation:

Enjoy a competitive salary that reflects directly on your skills and expertise.

Keep in mind, your wage is just one part of your total compensation. Unlock the complete value of your employment with the State of Iowa by using our user-friendly Total Compensation Calculator. Gain insights into your comprehensive annual compensation, including salary and State-provided benefits.

Health and Wellness:

Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the State of Iowa covers 90% of the premiums, providing you and your loved ones with excellent coverage at a remarkably low cost.

Retirement Planning:

We are proud to offer the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). A defined benefit plan, IPERS benefits are guaranteed for life, meaning once you retire, you will receive the same monthly benefit for the remainder of your life (once vested). We invest in your long-term financial well-being, so you can retire with peace of mind. Click here to learn more about IPERS.

Paid Time Off:

Life is unpredictable, and at the State of Iowa, we understand the importance of work-life balance. Our leave policies, including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with unlimited accrual, ensure you have the flexibility you need for personal and family matters.

Professional Development:

Elevate your career with continuous learning opportunities. We support your growth through training programs, workshops, and tuition reimbursement.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

We care about your well-being beyond the workplace. Access confidential counseling, resources, and support through our Employee Assistance Program.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces all backgrounds and perspectives. We believe diversity is a strength that drives innovation.

Join Us - Elevate Your Career:

Ready to elevate your career with the State of Iowa? Click here to explore more about our unparalleled benefits and discover what makes us unique. Your success is our priority!

01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03

Have you graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelors degree in any field? IF YES - How many months of experience do you have of full-time administrative support (e.g., screening visitors and callers; opening/distributing mail, typing/proofing documents, letters, and reports; organizing files; scheduling meetings/appointments; arranging travel; processing travel claims; ordering supplies/equipment) or technical support work (e.g., determining budget, personnel, and equipment needs; compiling/evaluating statistical, historical, economic, business, financial or technical program data; interpreting or securing compliance with laws, rules and regulations; reviewing operating records/reports and evaluating their effectiveness)?

• I have not graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelors degree in any field
• Less than 12 months of the administrative support work identified
• 12 months or more of the administrative support work identified

04

How many years do you have of a combination of post high school education in any field AND/OR full-time administrative support (e.g., screening visitors and callers; opening/distributing mail, typing/proofing documents, letters, and reports; organizing files; scheduling meetings/appointments; arranging travel; processing travel claims; ordering supplies/equipment) or technical support work (e.g., determining budget, personnel, and equipment needs; compiling/evaluating statistical, historical, economic, business, financial or technical program data; interpreting or securing compliance with laws, rules and regulations; reviewing operating records/reports and evaluating their effectiveness)? 30 semester hours equals one year of experience.

• I do not have any of the combined education and/or experience
• Less than five years of the combined education and/or experience
• Five years or more of the combined education and/or experience

05

Are you a current State of Iowa employee- executive branch? IF YES - How many months do you have of full-time experience in the classification of Administrative Assistant 1 for the State of Iowa?

• I am not a current State of Iowa employee
• I do not have any experience in the classification of Administrative Assistant 1 for the State of Iowa
• Less than 12 months of full-time experience in the classification of Administrative Assistant 1 for the State of Iowa
• 12 months or more of full-time experience in the classification of Administrative Assistant 1 for the State of Iowa

Required Question

Employer State of Iowa

Agency 009 Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Address 1305 E Walnut St

Des Moines, Iowa, 50319

Website http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/