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What does a special projects assistant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A special projects assistant is someone who is in-charged in the organization and management of company projects whose purpose varies depending on the industry and type of organization. Special projects assistants should be able to ensure that company projects comply with the budgetary requirements and that staff complete each phase of the project within the set timeframe. The requirements to qualify for the position include possessing strong communication and interpersonal skills and a bachelor's or master's degree.

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Special projects assistant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real special projects assistant resumes:

  • Perform responsible human support and paraprofessional work assisting classroom teacher or other professionals, achieve institution objectives.
  • Process deposits weekly in PeopleSoft.
  • Maintain Medicaid paperwork and skil some in sign language.
  • Help create a user-friendly online billing program concept to streamline Medicare claims billing.
  • Develop and maintain networking database including: social media through the website, twitter, blogs, and Facebook.
  • Assist students with science relate coursework including: nursing, chemistry, biology, physics, and earth sciences.
  • Assist admissions department with facebook engagement, online applications, in-person and phone interviews, and recruitment of new corps members.
  • Act as main point of contact for employee access to secure files containing FDA submissions and sensitive, double-blind patient studies.
  • Format electronic documents to maintain FDA requirements.
  • Cover content from general biology and general chemistry.
  • Participate in a special training program to implement Peoplesoft.
  • Assist with preparation of PowerPoint presentations and materials for agency briefings and congressional hearings.
  • Answer all inquiries regarding veterans' benefits and requirements for certification under various veteran programs.
  • Conduct foreign-to-ASU academic record transfer and recording process for study abroad participants and incoming foreign exchange students.
  • Collaborate with staff and professors to develop study material in order to promote student's academic achievement.

Special projects assistant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Special Projects Assistants are proficient in PowerPoint, Policy Issues, and Administrative Tasks. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Patience, and Resourcefulness.

We break down the percentage of Special Projects Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • PowerPoint, 11%

    Facilitated logistical and administrative requirements for presentations and training programs to include spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and various reports.

  • Policy Issues, 10%

    Advised AF leadership on space policy issues and served as liaison to NRO, NASA, and National Space Council.

  • Administrative Tasks, 8%

    Performed additional administrative tasks at the direction of the Executive Administrative Assistant.

  • Office Equipment, 8%

    Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions

  • Data Analysis, 5%

    Conducted data analysis and research, developed national-level strategic plans, and served as special adviser for leader development.

  • Press Releases, 5%

    Encouraged community support and participation through press releases, community outreach and award ceremonies.

Common skills that a special projects assistant uses to do their job include "powerpoint," "policy issues," and "administrative tasks." You can find details on the most important special projects assistant responsibilities below.

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a special projects assistant to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents." Special projects assistants often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "copyedited and proofread various policies and press releases for the csulb asi communications department. "

Patience. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling special projects assistant duties is patience. The role rewards competence in this skill because "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult." According to a special projects assistant resume, here's how special projects assistants can utilize patience in their job responsibilities: "monitored meds intake and vital signs of patient transported patience to monthly doctor appointments. "

Resourcefulness. This is an important skill for special projects assistants to perform their duties. For an example of how special projects assistant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "teacher assistants must find ways to explain information to students who have different learning styles." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a special projects assistant: "showed resourcefulness and teaching effectiveness in meeting the needs of individuals with limited english language proficiency as well as learning disabilities. ".

Interpersonal skills. special projects assistant responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators." This resume example shows what special projects assistants do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "display exceptional interpersonal skills with patients while treating them in a professional manner. "

See the full list of special projects assistant skills

The three companies that hire the most special projects assistants are:

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Compare different special projects assistants

Special projects assistant vs. Para educator

Paraeducators' primary role is to provide students with extra guidance and support outside or inside the classroom. They are also called paraprofessional educators or teaching assistants who are expected to support teachers. In small group activities, they take the lead permitting teachers to help their students in many ways. The necessary skills required include organization, intellectual curiosity, and being calm. They should also be creative, a team player, and knowledgeable. A bachelor's degree in education is also a necessity for this job.

If we compare the average special projects assistant annual salary with that of a para educator, we find that para educators typically earn a $5,603 lower salary than special projects assistants make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both special projects assistant and para educator positions are skilled in cpr, iep, and behavior modification.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between special projects assistants and para educator. For instance, special projects assistant responsibilities require skills such as "powerpoint," "policy issues," "administrative tasks," and "office equipment." Whereas a para educator is skilled in "behavioral issues," "student performance," "math," and "kindergarten." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Para educators tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $30,060. In contrast, special projects assistants make the biggest average salary, $47,158, in the government industry.The education levels that para educators earn slightly differ from special projects assistants. In particular, para educators are 6.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a special projects assistant. Additionally, they're 2.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Special projects assistant vs. Student internship

Student interns are student trainees in a company. They undergo on-the-job training as it may be required by their degree program in order to graduate. They are assigned to departments in companies that are related to the field of their degree program. Student interns are expected to get enrichment from the experience while also applying what they have learned in the classroom. They are usually given activities or tasks that will help expose them to the professional sphere of their chosen careers and the bigger world outside of the university. They may join company events and activities that will help acclimate them. Student interns should be responsible and diligent.

A career as a student internship brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a special projects assistant. In fact, student interns salary is $5,741 lower than the salary of special projects assistants per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Special projects assistants and student interns both require similar skills like "powerpoint," "administrative tasks," and "data analysis" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that special projects assistant responsibilities requires skills like "policy issues," "office equipment," "travel arrangements," and "provides administrative support." But a student internship might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "student intern," "physical therapy," and "patient care."

Student interns earn a lower average salary than special projects assistants. But student interns earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $37,485. Additionally, special projects assistants earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $47,158 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Student interns tend to reach similar levels of education than special projects assistants. In fact, they're 4.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Special projects assistant vs. Teacher aide

Teacher aides help lead teachers in managing the classroom. They assist teachers in conducting classroom sessions by setting up the classroom in advance, sourcing materials needed for class activities, helping in presentations, and guiding students during class activities. Teacher aides are also responsible for maintaining classroom cleanliness and helping clean up after the children. They also help manage the students during breaks and during classes. They help the lead teacher keep the students'students' attention. They also assist the students in any other tasks that they may need.

On average, teacher aides earn lower salaries than special projects assistants, with a $7,517 difference per year.special projects assistants and teacher aides both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "powerpoint," "cpr," and "iep," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a special projects assistant is likely to be skilled in "policy issues," "administrative tasks," "office equipment," and "data analysis," while a typical teacher aide is skilled in "child care," "mathematics," "learning environment," and "classroom environment."

Teacher aides make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $35,388. On the other hand, special projects assistants are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $47,158.Most teacher aides achieve a lower degree level compared to special projects assistants. For example, they're 8.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Special projects assistant vs. Instruction assistant principal

Assistant principals are the education professionals responsible for doing administrative and research works that involve a school's operation and management. They assist and supervise the teachers and other staff to monitor compliance with the school standards' curriculum and discipline. They help teachers develop plans and strategies for an effective learning education. As part of their job, they usually conduct assessments of teachers to determine their performance level.

Instruction assistant principals average a higher salary than the annual salary of special projects assistants. The difference is about $18,946 per year.While their salaries may vary, special projects assistants and instruction assistant principals both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "powerpoint," "cpr," and "professional development. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A special projects assistant uses "policy issues," "administrative tasks," "office equipment," and "data analysis." Instruction assistant principals are more likely to have duties that require skills in "kids," "customer service," "classroom management," and "role model. "The education industry tends to pay the highest salaries for instruction assistant principals, with average annual pay of $57,425. Comparatively, the highest special projects assistant annual salary comes from the government industry.instruction assistant principals reach similar levels of education compared to special projects assistants, in general. The difference is that they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of special projects assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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