CITY OF SALISBURY

 

  DEPARTMENT SECRETARY

 

DEFINITION

 

To perform a variety of difficult to complex secretarial and office management duties requiring paraprofessional administrative skills; and to provide administrative office support to department management staff.

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

 

This is the advanced journey level class in the Office Assistant series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned.  Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including the processing of routine matters independently, composition and preparation of correspondence, and the compilation of information used in record keeping, report preparation, and special departmental projects.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned areas of responsibility.

 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

 

Receives direction from assigned Department Head.

 

Exercises functional and technical supervision over assigned secretarial and clerical staff.

 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

 

Compose, prepare and proofread specialized correspondence for proper format and accuracy.

 

Organize, direct and coordinate office operations which may involve coordinating the work activities of subordinate secretarial and/or clerical personnel.

 

Collect information and compile reports on departmental activities as requested by the Department Head.

 

Receive and respond to complaints or inquiries relating to department operations and/or records.

 

Assist in monitoring departmental compliance with applicable local, State and Federal regulations.

 

Process routine matters independently.

 

Assist Department Head with special projects as necessary.

 

CITY OF SALISBURY

Department Secretary  (continued)

 

 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

 

Screen calls and visitors; arrange and schedule appointments.

 

Provide information requiring a thorough knowledge of department policies and procedures

 

Record and transcribe dictation.

 

Serve as secretary to department-related commissions or committees.

 

Transcribe minutes and information to permanent records.

 

Prepare and maintain a variety of filing systems and records.

 

Determine proper file designation to be used; ensure that proper distribution and disposition is made of notices, memoranda, directions and related materials.

 

Prepare standard legal documents, requests for applications and other official documents and papers.

 

Research, prepare and review various technical reports, documents and materials.

 

Maintain records of department spending as required.

 

Prepare and maintain payroll and related records for department employees.

 

Maintain personnel files on department employees as required.

 

Assist with purchasing functions as required.

 

Responsible for maintenance of office supplies for the department office.

 

Receive and process daily mail and distribute to proper personnel.

 

Perform related duties as assigned.

 

    QUALIFICATIONS

 

            Knowledge of:

 

            Principles, practices and procedures of office management.

 

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Department Secretary  (continued)

 

 

            Methods and techniques of performing secretarial functions.

 

            Modern office procedures and methods.

 

            Operational characteristics and applications of data processing equipment.

 

            Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting.

 

            Department policies and procedures.

 

            English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

 

            Ability to:

 

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

 

            Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in          writing.

 

            Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.

 

            Take and transcribe dictation at a speed necessary for successful job performance.

 

            Train assigned staff.

 

Make minor administrative decisions in accordance with municipal laws, ordinances, regulations and department policies and procedure.s

 

            Maintain a variety of complex clerical records, and extract data from such records for reports.

 

            Deal tactfully and courteously with the public.

 

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

 

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

CITY OF SALISBURY

Department Secretary (continued)

 

 

 

 

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

 

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

 

            Experience:

 

            Three years of increasingly responsible office management, or business practices experience.

 

            Training:

 

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work in business, office             management or a related field.