Administrative Assistant - Building and Conservation

The Town of Cohasset is seeking an organized, professional, and customer-focused individual to serve as a full-time Administrative Assistant, with a primary focus on the Building Department and support for the Conservation Department.

Reporting to the Director of Planning, Permits, and Inspections and secondarily to the Conservation Agent, this position provides administrative and clerical support to the Planning, Permits, and Inspections Division. The Administrative Assistant works closely with Town departments, boards, commissions, applicants, contractors, and members of the public.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for the public, responding to questions and directing inquiries appropriately.
• Support the daily administrative operations of the Conservation Commission and other assigned boards.
• Assist with the intake and processing of project submissions, permits, applications, fees, and inspection requests.
• Prepare and post meeting notices, agendas, minutes, public notices, abutter notifications, and supporting documents.
• Attend assigned daytime and evening board meetings.
• Maintain departmental files, databases, records, and mapping information, including Maps Online and GIS.
• Assist with public records requests, research, data collection, and report preparation.
• Process assigned invoices, purchase orders, payments, and other financial documents.
• Prepare correspondence, educational materials, presentations, website updates, and departmental communications.
• Maintain confidential and sensitive information.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must possess an associate degree and at least five years of experience in a complex office or municipal environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The successful candidate will have strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent customer service and organizational abilities, and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Candidates must be able to work independently, manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality.

A valid Massachusetts Class D driver’s license is required.

Preferred Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree and extensive experience in a complex office or municipal setting are preferred. Familiarity with municipal government, town bylaws, conservation, planning, zoning, building, health, and applicable state and federal regulations is desirable.

Schedule and Compensation

This is a full-time, 35-hour-per-week, non-union position. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, with some evening meetings required.

Hourly Salary Range: A2 ($31.46–$37.60), depending on qualifications and experience.

The Town of Cohasset is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. The Town provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their positions. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process are encouraged to contact the Human Resources Department athr@cohassetma.gov.

The Town of Cohasset is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

All offers of employment are conditional upon the satisfactory completion of a Criminal offense record inquiry ( CORI check, pre-employment DOT physical examination, drug test & all other background checks where required.