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This position has closed. Fermilab removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Administrative Assistant III

Fermilab · Batavia, IL · $28.30–$34.51 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about the busiest calendar or set of meetings you have coordinated. How did you keep it straight?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle complex scheduling for a busy organization.

Tell me about a time you wrote correspondence on behalf of someone else. How did you match their voice and needs?

What they are checking: Whether they can compose professional correspondence that represents others well.

How do you keep organizational charts and webpages up to date without being asked?

What they are checking: Whether they take ownership of keeping information current.

What do you do to handle sensitive information carefully?

What they are checking: Whether they understand confidentiality, which matters at a national lab.

What would you do

How do you decide which incoming correspondence needs action now and where to route the rest?

What they are checking: Whether they triage well and know who handles what.

A problem comes to you that seems above your level. How do you decide whether to handle it or refer it?

What they are checking: Whether they use independent judgment and know when to escalate, as the posting requires.

A visitor arrives for a meeting that is not on anyone's calendar. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm and professional while solving the problem.

How do you manage competing requests from several people in the same group?

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize fairly and communicate clearly.

About the work

The posting mentions systems like TRAIN, ESHTRK, MMS and Procard. How do you learn a new internal system and keep its data accurate?

What they are checking: Whether they can pick up specialized systems quickly and maintain clean records.

How do you handle purchasing card transactions and keep them compliant?

What they are checking: Whether they understand procurement rules and documentation in a federal lab setting.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Fermilab.

The expected hiring range for this position is: $28.30-$34.51. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. This position is not eligible for relocation assistance, sponsorship assistance or referral bonus program. About the Role: Fermilab is hiring an Administrative Assistant III to perform moderately complex administrative and support duties for the assigned organization. The role requires independent decision-making and problem-solving, including resolving issues and referring more complex matters to higher-level staff. What your day-to-day as an Administrative Assistant III will look like: • Performs varied database maintenance by tracking activities. May maintain data in organizational charts, webpages, and/or one or more operating systems supporting the assigned organization (e.g., TRAIN, ESHTRK, MMS, Procard, etc.). • Composes, prepares, and edits routine and non-routine correspondence; reviews incoming correspondence and distributes appropriately; may greet and direct visitors and other staff. • Coordinates meetings, interviews, and other events. May be responsible for taking notes, completing request forms, and/or recording and distributing pertinent information. • Contributes to and participates in ad-hoc Lab projects, specialized projects/programs, and/or program support. • Prepares moderately complex periodic reports and/or presentation materials. May transcribe technical notes. • Maintains copier and stock of office supplies by ordering supplies or preparing work orders, and updates records. • May prepare purchase requisitions and/or act as a gatekeeper for the purchase requisition system. • May track time away for the assigned organization and update viewing status for the electronic time reporting system. • May coordinate domestic and international travel, including preparation of travel itineraries and reimbursement forms. • May train and direct daily tasks of “on-call” or “seasonal” employees. • Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor. • Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position. Minimum Required Education and Experience: • High school diploma with 4+ years of administrative experience. Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: • Working knowledge of administrative operational procedures. • Ability to manage cross-functional communication and collaboration. • Ability to use independent judgment to effectively prioritize tasks. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Work Arrangement: Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final. • Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia Office. Benefits/Perks: • Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Accounts • Paid time off • Life insurance • Short and Long-term disability insurance • Retirement benefits • Onsite day care Why Fermilab: Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole. Pre-Employment Screening: Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug-free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening. HSPD-12 In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment. Foreign Government Sponsored Activities Fermilab employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab's Office of General Counsel. REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf . If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview. Equal Opportunity Statement Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

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