---
name: secretary-of-state
description: "Occupational skill for the role 'secretary of state' (also: minister of state, undersecretary of state, state secretary, senior minister, under secretary of state). Use when the user asks for typical secretary of state work such as: Analyze and understand the local and national implications of proposed legislation.; Appoint nominees to leadership posts, or approve such appointments.; Confer with colleagues to formulate positions and strategies pertaining to pending issues."
---

# Secretary Of State

Secretaries of state assist heads of government departments, such as ministers, and aid in the supervision of proceedings in the department. They assist in the direction of policies, operations, and department staff, and perform planning, resource allocation, and decision-making duties.

## Core workflow

1. Analyze and understand the local and national implications of proposed legislation.
2. Appoint nominees to leadership posts, or approve such appointments.
3. Confer with colleagues to formulate positions and strategies pertaining to pending issues.
4. Debate the merits of proposals and bill amendments during floor sessions, following the appropriate rules of procedure.
5. Develop expertise in subject matters related to committee assignments.
6. Hear testimony from constituents, representatives of interest groups, board and commission members, and others with an interest in bills or issues under consideration.
7. Keep abreast of the issues affecting constituents by making personal visits and phone calls, reading local newspapers, and viewing or listening to local broadcasts.
8. Maintain knowledge of relevant national and international current events.

## How to use this skill

- Read `references/profile.md` for the occupation profile and scope.
- Consult `references/tasks.md` for the full task and activity inventory.
- Check `references/skills.md` for essential vs. optional competences.
- Check `references/tools.md` for the software commonly used in this role.

## Key competences (essential)

- advise legislators
- advise on legislative acts
- analyse legislation
- audit techniques
- budgetary principles
- conduct financial audits
- good governance
- implement strategic management
- legislation procedure
- liaise with local authorities
- perform political negotiation
- prepare legislation proposition
- present legislation proposition
- public administration

## Hot technologies

- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Structured query language SQL
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Excel
- Cisco Webex

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*Sources: ESCO v1.2.1 (http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/0ee67d5e-8de9-48f0-97c5-ba23d486b1e9), O*NET 30.3 (11-1031.00). See manifest.json for licensing/attribution.*
