Provides secretarial and clerical support to assigned staff units. Supports social service casework units through provision of secretarial and clerical services to assure efficient operations and daily functioning.

• Complete intra-agency documents, responsible for information processing and storage, typing of Court documents, agency correspondence and case dictation notes for a work unit.

Timely and accurate completion of this work is essential to agency operation due to the time limitations imposed by scheduled regulatory and legal mandates imposed upon a Child Protective Service agency and by scheduled Juvenile Court requirements.

• Development of formats, form completion and understanding of all involved functions is necessary to complete daily work assignments. Minimal revisions, accurate and thorough understanding of computers and word processing equipment, and efficient use of office equipment with comfort and without intimidation is essential to daily responsibilities.
• Work as team players to assure clerical efficiency by assisting others in completing typing/data entry and daily paperwork.
• Answer incoming phone calls for assigned work unit staff and supervisor, as well as overflow calls for other staff assigned to work division. Must function as a team member to assist others in responding to calls within the larger Service Division when assigned unit secretary is unable to respond to incoming calls to assure that calls are answered with minimal delays.
• Treat callers with respect and route calls to assigned staff as appropriate or re-route calls to the appropriate support staff for response, when necessary. Child protection work often involves emergencies and time constraints; this does not allow for error. Professional demeanor is essential.
• Each unit secretary is required to provide assistance to the receptionist in assuming switchboard coverage on a rotating basis or as needed if the Front Desk Coordinator is absent.

Accurate routing of calls to over 100 intra-agency lines is essential. Employee is responsible for greeting incoming visitors, contacting respective staff, and for acknowledging completion of this process to visitors in recognition of his/her arrival.

• Unit secretaries are central to effective functioning of their assigned work unit, as well as its individual staff.

Inaccurate legal documents, or essential paperwork not completed within time limitations, can result in serious consequences for social service staff, management and administration. Copies of documents needed to maintain agency operations are made by support staff. Supplies for unit employees are ordered and delivered. Various lists of considerable length are developed and maintained. Other office work is assigned, as needed, by the unit Casework Supervisor or Deputy Administrator.

• In support of service division Caseworkers, the unit secretary may check existing open and closed records if caller is unable to identify staff contact and transfer caller as needed. Case transfers from Intake to Ongoing Services Divisions may also be noted, and calls transferred.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of office equipment operation, including switchboard, facsimile, personal computer. Knowledge of basic Business English, grammar, punctuation and vocabulary and ability to apply in professional office context. Professional in-person and phone demeanor and information gathering skills, in communication with general public. Ability to exercise independent judgment, and to work with a minimum of direct supervision. Ability to effectively interface with the general public and professionals in a business setting, including emotional individuals, or those with special limitations. Knowledge of contemporary office practices and procedures. Ability to work in fact paced environment, and to prioritize workload to meet emergent deadlines.

ELIGIBILITY ALL CANDIDATES

MINIMUM

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Six months as an Office Support Person 3, and educational development to the level of completion of high school; or One year of keyboarding experience and completion of high school; or Six months of keyboarding and completion of a post high school business curriculum; or Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training. This position is subject to mandates requiring Child Abuse, Criminal History and FBI Clearances for employment. Pennsylvania residency is a requirement of the position. Promotions are based on meritorious service and seniority. Meritorious service is defined as the absence of any discipline during the 12 months preceding the closing date of this posting, and the last regular or introductory evaluation is higher than fair. Seniority is defined as a minimum of 6 months of service in the next lower class as of the closing date of the posting.

• Promotion is not subject to provisions of a collective bargaining agreement.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.