Someone who wants to become a field administrator may need a college degree along with experience in the industry to gain employment. Field administrators supervise operations on the ground on behalf of their parent organizations. They can work at construction sites, coordinate field organizing for political groups, and represent government agencies in regional offices. The precise job preparation needed can depend on the kind of field administration someone wants to do. In all cases, it helps to plan on continuing education to keep up with the industry and create professional networks while on the job.
In the construction industry, a candidate to become a field administrator usually needs experience and training. Degrees in administration and related subjects can be helpful, but may not necessarily be required. Actual experience in construction is critical to understand how to administer job sites. Two to three years is a common experience requirement to ensure that administrators are familiar with different needs on job sites. A common way to enter this career is to work through the ranks in the administration department, assisting field staff and eventually taking on more responsibilities.
Political groups use this type of personnel to coordinate regional campaigns, enroll new members, and communicate with the organization. A degree in political science can be helpful to become a field administrator, along with experience at the organization. Generally, people need one to two years of experience in political organizing to represent field offices for a parent organization. This experience can familiarize employees with organizing tactics and the group so they can take over field positions when they become available.
For positions at government agencies, a degree in a related field is usually required, along with experience. For social services, certification in social work might be necessary. Someone who wants to become a field administrator may have experience in the agency or a related group; for example, a representative for an environmental agency could be an environmental scientist who has previous experience with conservation groups. Continuing education to keep up on regulations is usually advised.
Skills common to all three types of field administrator include organization, communication, and multi-tasking abilities. A candidate to become a field administrator should be capable of scheduling, delegating tasks to other personnel, and providing mentoring to employees in the office. Joining a professional organization can be useful to establish and cultivate connections. Construction field administrators, for example, can meet up with potential vendors at industry conferences.
