0318 - Secretary Series

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Federal Occupation Description

Federal Occupation Description

This series covers all positions the duties of which are to assist one individual, and in some cases the subordinate staff of that individual, by performing general office work auxiliary to the work of the organization. To be included in this series, a position must be the principal office clerical or administrative support position in the office, operating independently of any other such position in the office. The duties require knowledge of clerical and administrative procedures and requirements, various office skills, and the ability to apply such skills in a way that increases the effectiveness of others. The duties do not require a technical or professional knowledge of a specialized subject-matter area.

For job opportunities in this series, go to the Office of Personnel Management USAJOBS website.

Other Federal Occupations

It is not uncommon for individuals in one federal occupational series to perform duties related to another series within the same federal occupational group. To find out about the certifications for another series in the GENERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, CLERICAL, AND OFFICE SERVICES GROUP, click on that series below. Note that credentials have not yet been identified for all series – links are provided only to those series for which the identification of credentials has been completed. Additional series will be added over time.

The following certifications have been identified as most relevant to the broad duties of this federal occupational series. Please note that these credentials may not reflect all of the unique job functions that you perform within your organization. Also these credentials may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about any credential, click on the credential title below.

Compare Credential Agency Related As GI Bill® Accreditation ID
Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) Is Not In Demand NALS - The Association for Legal Professionals someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) Is Not In Demand NALS - The Association for Legal Professionals someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) Is Not In Demand International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) mostMost   AccreditationAccreditation
Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) In DemandIs In Demand American Payroll Association someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Bookkeeper (CB) Is Not In Demand American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Records Manager (CRM) In DemandIs In Demand Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM) someSome    
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) In DemandIs In Demand American Payroll Association someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Professional in Human Resources (PHR) In DemandIs In Demand Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) otherOther GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Certified Manager (CM) In DemandIs In Demand Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM) someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Mail Manager (CMM) Is Not In Demand In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA) someSome    
Project Management Professional (PMP) In DemandIs In Demand Project Management Institute (PMI) otherOther GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) In DemandIs In Demand Project Management Institute (PMI) mostMost GI BillGI Bill  
International Computer Driving License Is Not In Demand International Computer Drivers License (ICDL) US mostMost GI BillGI Bill  
IC3 Digital Literacy Certification (IC3) Is Not In Demand Certiport someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Computer Skills Specialist Is Not In Demand American Education Certification Association (AECA) mostMost    
SHRM - Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) In DemandIs In Demand Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) otherOther    
Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) Is Not In Demand Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) someSome GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Microsoft Office 2013 Is Not In Demand Microsoft Corporation mostMost GI BillGI Bill  
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Microsoft Office 2016 Is Not In Demand Microsoft Corporation mostMost GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Records Analyst (CRA) Is Not In Demand Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM) someSome    

State Licenses

Some states have specific licensing requirements for the following related civilian occupations. These state licenses may require additional education, training or experience. Click on the occupation below to get more information on state requirements from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Related Civilian Private Sector Occupations

The following civilian private sector occupations are similar to the duties performed by 0318 - Secretary Series. These occupations may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these occupations, click on the civilian occupation below.

Civilian Job Duties Matched Bright Outlook Registered Apprenticeship Local Salary Info
Administrative Services Managers someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Correspondence Clerks someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Customer Service Representatives someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Data Entry Keyers someSome   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Database Administrators someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants mostMost     find local salaryfind local salary
File Clerks someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers mostMost Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service someSome   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Office Clerks, General someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks someSome   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks someSome   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Receptionists and Information Clerks someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive mostMost Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Word Processors and Typists someSome   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
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This is an official U.S. Navy websiteUpdated: October 16, 2019
Click here to go to Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 5 years

Accredited Legal Secretary (ALS) is the basic certification for legal professionals. Candidates must have completed one of the following requirements to take the written examination; an accredited business/legal course, NALS Legal Training Course, or have one year of general office experience. Candidate needs to take and pass a four-hour, three-part exam that includes knowledge areas on written communications, office procedures and legal knowledge, and ethics, human relations, and judgment.

Click here to go to Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 5 years

Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) is the advanced certification for legal professionals. Candidates must have three years' experience in the legal field. A partial waiver of the three-year legal experience requirement may be granted for post-secondary degrees, successful completion of the ALS exam, or other certifications. The maximum waiver is one year. Candidate needs to take and pass a one day, four-part exam that includes knowledge areas on written communications, office procedures and technology, ethics and judgment, and legal knowledge and skills.

Click here to go to Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 5 years

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) credential is recommended for mid-career level office management and business administrative professionals. Administrative professionals should have basic knowledge of office systems, technology, office administration, and management, and know how to apply the principles of human relations and communications. Candidates must take an pass a written examination based on knowledge acquired by the office professional through education and reading. Candidates must have 4 years of experience of which advanced education may be used in place of some experience.

Click here to go to Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is a certification for payroll beginners and service and support professionals with payroll knowledge. The FPC is open to all those who wish to demonstrate a baseline of payroll competency. The FPC is designed for entry-level payroll professionals, sales professionals/consultants serving the payroll industry, systems analysts/engineers writing payroll programs, and payroll service bureau client representatives. There are no payroll experience requirements to take written exam.

Click here to go to Certified Bookkeeper (CB) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Certified Bookkeeper (CB) credential is an intermediate level certification recommended for bookkeepers with several years of accounting or bookkeeping experience. Candidates must have at least 2 years of full-time experience or the part-time or freelance equivalent, which may be obtained before or after passing the examination. All candidates must also sign a Code of Ethics.

Click here to go to Certified Records Manager (CRM) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM), Certified Records Manager (CRM) certification requires candidates to meet both educational and work experience certification requirements. A minimum of one year of professional records and information management (RIM) work experience is required, regardless of the level of education a candidate possesses. The minimum acceptable education is graduation from high school (completion of 12 grades) or equivalent (e.g., GED credential or equivalency diploma) in conjunction with five years of professional level RIM experience. The preferred qualifications are a college degree (four-year or bachelor’s degree) and one year of professional RIM experience. CRM candidates must pass a six-part written examination.

Click here to go to Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification is for those who have achieved professional profiency in all aspects of taxation and tax reporting, MIS, human resources, and accounting as each of these relate to the payroll environment. Candidates must meet the experience and/or education requirments as well as pass a written exam.

Click here to go to Certified Manager (CM) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 1 year

The Certified Manager (CM) is a general management certification. It is appropriate for supervisors, managers and leaders at all levels, in any industry, and benefits certificate recipients and their organizations. The CM program consists of 3 course modules of which each includes a study manual, online learning resources, practice exams and a certification exam. To earn the CM certification one must pass three certification exams. Successful completion of the CM exams is a reliable indicator that an individual possesses the skills that leaders and managers need. Eligibility for the CM certification is determined by a point system that considers both experience and education. A candidate must have at least 10 points including at least 3 Education points, and at least 4 Experience points. Candidates may count a maximum of 6 Education points and 7 Experience Points toward eligibility. Those who do not qualify for CM status may still participate in the CM program if they have met at least one of the minimum eligibility requirements. These individuals will earn Associate Certified Manager (ACM) status upon completion of the program. An ACM may earn full CM status through additional education and/or experience.

Click here to go to Certified Mail Manager (CMM) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 5 years

In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA), Certified Mail Manager (CMM) is for managers who have attained a high level of competence and professionalism. Candidates must have a minimum of five years of mail management experience and be currently employed in an in-plant environment. Candidates must also be able to demonstrate, through three letters of recommendation, acceptable character, ability and reputation. Candidates must pass a written exam.

Click here to go to Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Project Management Institute (PMI), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is an entry-level certification for project practitioners. Designed for those with less project experience, the CAPM demonstrates an understanding of the fundamental knowledge, terminology and processes of effective project management. The written exam covers project management areas such as initiation, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, closing, and professional and social responsibility. Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 1500 hours professional experience on a project team or 23 hours of project management education.

Click here to go to International Computer Driving License COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: Not Renewable

The International Computer Driving License (ICDL) is a basic skill level certification program that validates an individual's basic computer skills training. The ICDL is composed of modules covering computer topics. The modules are vendor neutral, i.e., not linked to a particular software firm. Candidates may select any combination of modules to create a custom program. There are no education or experience requirements and training is not mandatory.

Click here to go to IC3 Digital Literacy Certification (IC3) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: Lifetime

The IC3 Digital Literacy Certification (IC3) is an entry level certification for candidates to demonstrate general computing and internet skills. The exam covers a variety of commonly used software products and Internet protocols and is ideal for beginners. The certification is relevant to any occupation requiring a general knowledge of how computers function and an ability to use word processing, spreadsheet and internet applications. There are no experience or education requirements that must be met prior to taking the IC3 exams. The IC3 Global Standard 4 (GS4) exams apply to Windows 7 and Office 2010, while the IC3 Global Standard 5 (GS5) exams apply to Windows 10 and Office 2016. Candidates must pass the three exams for either GS4 or GS5 to be certified.

Click here to go to Certified Computer Skills Specialist COOL Snapshot page.

The NCCA Certified Computer Skills Specialist credential is recommended for computer technicians who work in health care provider offices. Typical duties performed by Certified Computer Skills Specialists include administrative tasks, creating documents, editing documents, data entry, processing word documents, making newsletters, presentations and promotional material, record keeping, publishing new requested documents, managing contacts and other tasks. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and completed a training program or have an approved amount of experience. This certification is renewed annually. See the agency website for more information.

Click here to go to Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) is an entry-level HR credential. Candidates should have foundational knowledge of HR operations, recruitment and selection, benefits and compensation, human resource development and retention, employee relations, and health, safety and security. Candidates must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Candidates must take a written examination.

Click here to go to Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Microsoft Office 2013 COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: Lifetime

The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Microsoft Office 2013 credential is an entry-level certification for individuals who wish to demonstrate expertise in using Microsoft Office programs. Key technologies include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, SharePoint and OneNote. Candidates must pass one certification exam. There are no experience requirements for this certification but Microsoft Learning recommends that a candidate have hands-on experience with the product prior to testing.

Click here to go to Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Microsoft Office 2016 COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: Lifetime

The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Microsoft Office 2016 credential is an entry-level certification for individuals who wish to demonstrate expertise in using Microsoft Office programs. Key technologies include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook. Candidates must pass one certification exam. There are no experience requirements for this certification but Microsoft Learning recommends that a candidate have hands-on experience with the product prior to testing.

Click here to go to Certified Records Analyst (CRA) COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here to go to the GI Bill site.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the rating (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the rating (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Most – Tasks in these careers match most duties of the military job or specialty (approximately 80% or greater)
Some – Tasks in these careers match some duties of the military job or specialty (greater than 20% but less than 80%)
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
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