Receptionist - Garcia Middle School

Job Overview

Serve as receptionist for department; provide a friendly and helpful atmosphere for visitors to the assigned building and direct incoming telephone calls in a courteous manner. While positions in this class may perform routine general clerical tasks, the assignment of departmental receptionist duties differentiates this class from all others in the clerical/secretarial series.

• Receive a high volume of telephone calls and/or visitors to the school/office served, utilizing telephone “switchboard” equipment such as PBX system or more advanced telephonic transmission systems; maintain an attractive and comfortable reception area.
• Answer questions of callers according to district policy and take messages for staff members.
• Maintain alphabetical files of staff members' names, room locations and telephone extensions to expedite relaying of calls.
• Keep records of toll charges and incoming collect calls for the business office.
• Receive and report telephone problems to the telephone company as they arise.
• Greet all visitors courteously, determine their needs and direct them to the proper person.
• Report immediately any visitor who bypasses the reception desk or exhibits suspicious activity or unusual behavior.
• May be assigned to assign/monitor student office assistants.
• May order, receive, examine, and distribute supplies; review and channel mail to correct destinations; assist with processing records.
• Perform other routine general clerical tasks, assisting other clerical/secretarial staff as assigned, utilizing standard office equipment as necessary.

• High School Diploma or GED including or supplemented by commercial/business coursework.
• Some successful general clerical experience.
• Good knowledge of business office procedures, practices, and equipment, appropriate phone receptionist procedures, and phone/telephone equipment operations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to type at an approved rate of speed; operating personal computers is highly desirable, preferred, or required at some assignments.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and perform general clerical tasks.
• Ability to establish and maintain successful working relationships with the public, school staff, and fellow employees.
• Possesses a congenial personality with the ability to converse in a professional manner in all situations.
• Excellent human relations and interpersonal skills.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

The work environment includes classrooms, offices, workstations, and meeting rooms. The position requires occasional walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting/carrying items weighing less than 40 pounds. Regular use of hands, fingers, and arms to handle objects, tools, or controls; reaching; and talking or hearing is required. Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Attendance at conferences and professional development is required. Work involves everyday risks and discomforts, requiring normal safety precautions. May work prolonged or irregular hours and must maintain emotional control under stress.

Fine motor skills are required to operate telephonic equipment. Excellent vocal characteristics are essential. Most tasks are performed in a sedentary work environment, requiring normal daily activities such as sitting, walking, standing, bending, and reaching. The ability to transfer, move, and shelve supplies and materials weighing 20 pounds or less manually or with assistance is needed. High volume of phone calls may occur at times;

work is subject to frequent interruptions. The assignment may involve contact with irate students, parents, or the public and must be able to handle stressful situations as necessary.