Housing Receptionist

Job Summary

A public-facing Housing Department in Garden Grove, CA is seeking a professional and customer-focused Housing Receptionist for a temp-to-hire opportunity. This role is ideal for an experienced receptionist, front office professional, or customer service representative who enjoys helping the public and can remain calm, confident, and respectful in a busy environment.

The Housing Receptionist serves as the first point of contact for residents, applicants, visitors, and community members. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful public service work while gaining valuable experience in a structured, team-oriented government and housing environment. The department values professionalism, accuracy, confidentiality, and strong communication, with supportive staff and established processes to help the right candidate succeed.

Key Responsibilities

- Greet residents, applicants, visitors, and staff in a professional, welcoming, and helpful manner.
- Answer, screen, and route calls using a multi-line phone system while providing accurate general information.
- Assist applicants and visitors with forms, documentation requirements, appointment check-ins, and general questions.
- Process, review, scan, file, organize, and archive confidential documents with strong attention to accuracy.
- Enter and update information in databases, tracking systems, and electronic records.
- De-escalate challenging customer situations while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and department procedures.

Compensation and Benefits

- Pay range: $23.00 to $26.00 per hour.
- Job type: Temp-to-hire.
- Location: Garden Grove, CA.
**STRONG PERSONALITY NEEDED TO HANDLE CLIENTELE/ EXPIERENCE REQUIREMENTS ARE MANDATORY - PLEASE RESPIND ONLY IF QUALIFIED***

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

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We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Additional Skills

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Serve as the first point of contact for a busy public-facing Housing Department.
- Manage front desk reception, phone calls, visitor check-ins, and applicant support.
- Process confidential documents, maintain records, and update databases accurately.
- Provide professional assistance to residents and applicants, including de-escalation when needed.

- 2+ years of receptionist, customer service, document processing, or front office experience.
- Strong communication skills and a professional, polished presence.
- Comfortable working with the public in a high-volume environment.
- Ability to handle difficult, upset, or frustrated clients calmly and respectfully.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and general computer systems.
- Excellent attention to detail, organization, follow-through, and ability to manage competing priorities.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive applicant, resident, or department information.

Preferred Qualifications

- Bilingual Vietnamese is highly preferred.
- Bilingual Spanish or Korean is also valued.
- Experience in housing, government, community services, public administration, or another public-facing environment is a plus.
- Experience handling confidential records, forms, applications, or document verification is preferred.
- Strong de-escalation skills and the ability to communicate firmly while remaining respectful and approachable.