Office Associate III

Job Description

Amherst County Department of Social Services is accepting applications for the Office Associate III position. The starting salary for this position is $30,985 (Commensurate with Experience). This position is considered an essential position and is not eligible for telework at this time.

The Office Associate will be part of the front desk team and serve as the initial point of contact for visitors and callers. The ideal candidate brings exceptional customer service skills with the ability to screen and refer callers, experience working with a diverse population, experience with Microsoft Office and basic computer skills/troubleshooting, and experience using multi-line phone systems.
Office Associate is an entry-level receptionist position and will work in administrative program areas performing a broad variety of office and program support. Training will be hands-on/on-the-job, to cover areas such as office/administrative practices, policies, and procedures to perform specific office support activities. Travel is not required for this role; however, a valid driver's license is required as the Office Associate will assist with the agency fleet maintenance.
The core hours for this position are Monday through Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm with a half-hour for lunch. This position is considered an essential position and is not eligible for telework at this time. The ideal candidate would be dependable and punctual, and would have excellent attendance in previous positions.
The salary range for this position is $30,985 annually ($14.90/hour based on a 40-hour work week). Amherst County offers a generous benefit package which includes participation in the Virginia Retirement System including a traditional pension and deferred compensation with employer match, employer paid life and disability insurance, vacation and sick leave, affordable medical, dental and vision insurance, etc.


General Work Tasks:

• Types or transcribes correspondence, memos, minutes, reports or originals from rough draft, clear copy, recordings, shorthand, or notes;
• Composes routine correspondence and memos;
• Proofreads written and numerical documents;
• Sets appointments for interviews or meetings;
• Records inventory, statistical or fiscal data in a variety of formats and compiles informational reports as needed;
• Handles or contributes to reports and other documents, including fiscal and personnel documents, of intermediate scope and impact;
• Provides information to customers regarding programs, policies and rules of the department; handles inquiries from others regarding services;
• Performs research in automated and paper systems;
• Sets up and organizes files;
• Purges records;
• Maintains filing systems;
• Troubleshoots minor computer problems sufficient to resolve or submit service requests; calls in trouble tickets;
• May provide guidance and training to other clerical staff and office volunteers;
• Prepares purchase orders and other internal documents; and
• Processes items for payments and handles petty cash.

Considerable knowledge of office and administrative practices, policies, and procedures as related to assigned program and office support activities; spelling, grammar, and punctuation; office terminology, procedures, and equipment technology and office software programs; some knowledge of elementary bookkeeping and accounting.

Skill in operating a personal computer, printer, scanner, and a variety of standard office machines and equipment. Some skills in performing basic maintenance of computer system and general office equipment to include some troubleshooting of automation equipment problems.

Demonstrated ability to organize information and develop/maintain records in various formats; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; follow written and oral instructions; multi-task; establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, customers, other public and private agencies, and the public sometimes under stressful situations; collect and disseminate information; make computations with speed and accuracy; file alphabetically or numerically; proofread; type from clear copy or draft; make minor decisions in accordance to regulations and established practices; advise and interpret policies and procedures in researching and resolving inquiries.


Education: High school diploma supplemented with related clerical or administrative experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications: Previous Local Department of Social Services/Human Services field experience.


Special Instructions to Applicants:
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review both the job posting and answer the supplemental questions on the job application in their entirety.

Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application and/or resume. Applicants are encouraged to provide a complete listing of relevant work experience and qualifications, and answer the supplemental questions thoroughly.
Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications will not be accepted. This website will provide a confirmation receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.
Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.
May be required to report for shelter duty during community disasters and/or emergencies.