Office Assistant I

Office Assistant I is the class which is normally filled by advancement from the lower class of Office Aide when employees have been certified eligible, or, when filled from the outside, requires prior clerical experience. Office Assistant I works under general supervision, and, within a framework of established procedures, is expected to perform a wide variety of typing and general clerical duties with only one occasional instruction or assistance.

Adequate performance at this level requires a knowledge of departmental procedures and precedents, and the ability to choose among alternatives in solving problems. An Office Assistant I is expected to work productively even in the absence of a supervisor. Employees in this class may often have contact with the public, answering a variety of procedural questions or giving out factual information.

Work is normally reviewed only on completion and for overall results.

Depending on assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepares, sorts, and/or files materials such as correspondence or forms, and may maintain established files, manuals, or indices in accordance with prescribed filing system procedures which may include reviewing file for accuracy and completeness.
• Searches for materials through use of indices or locates missing materials through conducting a file search.
• Maintains simple records by transferring data, calculating totals and subtotals or maintains cross-reference files by assigning or checking filing codes to items based on material/document content; maintains logs of processed materials.
• Receives, time stamps, routes, and/or distributes materials on schedule and in accordance with prescribed methods such as routing based on material content.
• Pack or unpack materials or books; moves large objects or delivers/picks up materials or mail; run errands as necessary.
• Collates or staples materials by hand or machine; folds, inserts, and seals materials in envelopes by hand or machine; wraps, stamps, and mails materials.
• Types lists, cards, addresses, labels, forms, or routine correspondence from handwritten or typed copy using standard typewriter, word processing equipment,or keyboard remote terminal (CRT/TP); proofreads and/or corrects typed material for completeness and/or spelling, grammatical, or punctuation accuracy.
• Receives the public and answers phone; provides routine factual information and directs people to appropriate office.
• Operates a variety of office equipment, such as photocopiers and collators.
• Provides vacation and temporary relief as required.

One (1) year of general office/clerical work experience – at a level which is equivalent to the Office Aide position classification.

Post secondary education – successful completion of 18 semester units in secretarial science - may be substituted for the required experience.

Working knowledge of office methods and procedures; office equipment operation.

Use correct English grammar, punctuation and spelling; proofread; understand and follow verbal and written instructions; alphabetize or numerically/chronologically sort materials; operate a variety of office equipment; receive the public in person and over the phone; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Office Assistant I requires at least 40 words per minute
.

The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list from which vacant position(s) may be filled.

Phase one (1) is a written examination (weighted 50%) which will measure all or portions of the above knowledge, and skills. Phase two (2) is an oral examination (weighted 50%) that will be administered by an appraisal panel to evaluate professional qualifications, background and suitability. A passing score for each phase is 70%. Each candidate will be notified via e-mail of their status at each step of the recruitment.

The City of Compton reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods, if deemed necessary. Failure in one phase of the examination shall be grounds for declaring the applicant as failing in the entire examination, and as disqualified for…