What is a softer term for the completion of tasks assigned to a junior/assistant employee that involve administering or managing a system or process? For example, they may be asked to "manage a schedule" or "administrate access rights". I feel that those terms lend too much decision-making responsibility to that role, when it is more of a maintenance, support, or data-entry task.
Am I wrong? Is this demeaning? And is there a third option somewhere in-between?
You could use perform as a neutral term.
Definition and Usage of perform, in American Heritage Dictionary, 5th Ed.:
- To begin and carry through to completion; do: The surgeon performed the operation.
- To take action in accordance with the requirements of; fulfill: perform one's contractual obligations.
I've always preferred the term "Administrative Assistant" for entry-level positions and "Administrative Analyst" for more advanced positions. Relative to your specific questions, Administrative Assistant tasks can include "keeping (or maintaining) a schedule (or calendar)" and "monitoring access rights" in addition to "providing maintenance, support, and data-entry."
Administrative Assistant: "a person whose job is to support an executive, group, department, or organization especially by handling administrative tasks (such as data entry, correspondence, filing, and scheduling appointments)." Merriam-Webster Dictionary
versus
Administrative Analyst: "Under general direction, the Administrative Analyst performs professional-level duties in one or more internal support areas, including budget, finance, personnel, contracts and grants, procurement, or other assignments supporting the mission of the organization; compiles and analyzes data; participates in design and implementation of systems and procedures." City of Sacramento, California
