About the Department

The Orange County Department of Social Services has an opening for an Office Assistant I. The work involves the responsibility for performing administrative and clerical duties in support of the Department of Social Services.  An employee in this class is responsible for providing customer service to the public, providing office support to staff, assisting walk-in customers and callers, entering data and information, ensuring necessary paperwork is completed, and maintaining files of records and reports.  Additionally, employees in this role will serve as backup support when coverage is needed for other agency services, including the Employment Services Café.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Personnel and Facilities Operations Manager with some leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work and in making decisions. Does related work as required. Supervision over others is not required of this position. Position does related work as required.

Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred.

Hiring range is based on the Orange County Social Services Step Plan. The Step Plan is based on years of Office Assistant I experience. Full credit is given for years of experience performing the same job functions. Partial credit is given for years of experience performing related job functions. The top half of the scale is reserved for career employees with senior level experience in the same role.
 
* SBI background check with fingerprinting is required.

Minimum Qualifications

Click the link below for the full job specification, which includes essential functions, knowledge, skills, abilities, and physical requirements. 

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orangecountync/classspecs/1519243

NOTE: The hiring range is on the posting NOT on the job specification. 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Good knowledge of modern office practices and equipment, proper English usage, vocabulary, punctuation and spelling, and basic mathematics. 

Good knowledge of database software used and database software to maintain records, prepare reports, and conduct correspondence related to the work.

Good knowledge of confidentiality guidelines and the ability to apply confidentiality guidelines to customer information and records.

Skilled in the maintenance of organizing and maintaining efficient filing systems. 

Skill in being customer-focused, adept at problem solving and working collaboratively with others.

Skill in gathering and documenting information.  

Skill in establishing priorities and the ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions and while under pressure.

Skill in public and interpersonal relations, and the ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.

Ability to perform mathematical calculations.

Ability to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. 

Ability to use independent judgment in performing routine tasks and able to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.  

Ability to assist others as necessary. 

Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency. 

Ability to work under stressful conditions and react calmly and quickly in emergency situations. 

Ability to maintain positive customer-focused relationships with co-workers, supervisors, agencies, the general public, and all other internal and external customers.  

Ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail, and database software. 

Ability to demonstrate sound judgment; integrity; resourcefulness; accuracy; thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a High School or General Educational Development (GED) equivalency AND one (1) year of experience working in a front office providing customer service and performing clerical functions; OR 

Completion of two (2) years of college course work.  

Bilingual ability is preferred, but not required. 

In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager, the DSS Director, or management, participation in preparedness and response operations, as well as critical agency needs, should be expected.  Employees may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours, and/or work location.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of an SBI background check.  Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.

Bilingual ability is preferred. 

Requires flexibility and adaptability to be re-assigned to assist with other DSS-related functions as determined by the Social Services Director or designee. 

In accordance with Section 28 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, and/or relevant State and Federal statutes, candidates for employment may be required to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal history background check based on the job responsibilities of the position. A fingerprinting check is conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and a criminal history background check is conducted by an authorized Federal or State regulatory agency to determine eligibility for appointment. Employment is contingent upon successful clearance through these checks, which are mandated for certain roles depending on the nature of the job and applicable laws. Further, all offers of employment are contingent upon the satisfactory verification of your eligibility for employment, successful completion of the required pre-employment testing and/or screening, including drug testing when required and the submission and approval of all new hire documentation completion of your new hire paperwork.

As with all positions with the Department of Social Services, this position may be required to serve in shelters in time of natural and man-made disasters including overnight and weekends. The duties assigned during this time may vary from your regularly assigned duties. Assigned duties will be at the discretion of the Social Services Director.

Benefits

Orange County provides a competitive benefits package for permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees that includes:

• Participation in the North Carolina State Retirement System;
  • Orange County contributes 14.35% of your base salary per pay period and 16.10% for LEO.
• Health Insurance (Medical)
  • Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage health insurance.
  • Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage health insurance.
• Dental Insurance
  • Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage for dental insurance.
  • Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage for dental insurance.
• Vision Insurance
  • Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly.
• Life Insurance
  • Orange County pays for an employee life insurance policy based on employees’ salary up to $50,000.
  • Optional Life Insurance for employee and dependent life insurance policy.
• Short Term Disability
  • Orange County pays for an employee short term disability policy that provides income protection up to 11 weeks with a weekly benefit of 70% of your weekly salary.
• Optional Long Term Disability Coverage Policy
• Optional Insurance Policies: Pet Discount Program, Identity Theft Insurance, Legal Insurance
• 401(k) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
  • Orange County contributes $102 per pay period ($2652.00 annually) for supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Anniversary Leave ( 8 hours of leave on your anniversary each year)
• Annual Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule, pro-rated for permanent part time employees)
  • 0-2 Years of Service = 125.84 hours/year
  • 2-5 Years of Service = 145.08 hours/year
  • 5-10 Years of Service = 173.68 hours/year
  • 10-15 Years of Service = 202.80 hours/year
  • 15-20 Years of Service = 231.40 hours/year
  • 20+ Years of Service = 260.52 hours/year
• Sick Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule)
  • 96.2 hours/year
• Tuition reimbursement assistance
• Various other leave programs including civil, funeral, parental, etc.

Supplemental Questions

01

Orange County is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9). I understand, that if hired, my employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify.

• Yes

02

I understand that resumes are welcomed but do not substitute for the work experience section of this application and failure to complete the work experience section will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered for eligibility. Did you fully complete the work experience section of this application?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you an Orange County Local Government employee?

• Yes, I am a Permanent Employee that has passed the Probationary Period
• Yes, I am an Employee but I have not passed the Probationary Period
• Yes, I am a Temporary Employee
• No, I am not an Employee

04

Do you have or are you able to obtain a driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina?

• Yes
• No

05

Please indicate your highest level of education from an accredited school.

• High School or GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• None

06

Please indicate if you have experience in the following areas. Please choose all that apply.

• Answering switchboard
• Greeting and directing visitors
• Making copies
• Sending faxes
• Composing and typing correspondence
• Collecting and receipting payments
• None of the above

07

Please indicate how many years of work experience you have in a front office providing customer service and performing clerical functions.

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more

08

Please describe your customer service experience. If none, indicate N/A.

09

Please indicate your proficiency in Spanish.

• I cannot read, write or speak Spanish
• I am proficient at reading and writing in Spanish
• I am proficient at speaking Spanish
• I am fluent in reading, writing and speaking Spanish

10

This position may be required to serve in shelters in time of natural and man-made disasters including overnight and weekends. The duties assigned during this time may vary from your regularly assigned duties. Assigned duties will be at the discretion of the Social Services Director. Are you willing and able to respond during disasters?

• Yes
• No

11

Are you currently ServSafe Certified?

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer

Orange County Government

Address

131 W. Margaret Lane, 3rd Floor








Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278

Phone

919-245-2550

Website

http://www.orangecountync.gov