The competencies of the university secretary were studied at the University of Southern Maine. In addition to developing position descriptions, competencies that distinguish effective performers were also identified. Based on results of interviews with 24 secretaries, a competency-based model was developed. Fourteen competencies were categorized into four clusters: intellectual, entrepreneurial, interpersonal, and maturational. The data were analyzed in three ways: superior versus average secretaries, basic versus advanced, and academic versus nonacademic. Eight of the competencies distinguished the outstanding secretaries: diagnostic skills, divergent thinking, values quality and efficiency, initiative, influence, interpersonal sensitivity, job commitment, and assertiveness. The advanced secretaries (executive or administrative secretary, office manager, research aide, and administrative assistant) demonstrated the competencies of "values quality and efficiency and job commitment" significantly more often than did the basic secretaries (i.e., clerk typist, secretary, and library clerk). A chart identifying the 14 competencies and their behavioral indicators is included, along with a schemata of the competency-based model. (SW)