Senior Office Assistant

The Position

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This is a limited continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:
6/26/24, 7/17/24 (final)
Senior Office Assistants provide a wide range of clerical/operational support involving customer service, document preparation, filing, record keeping, and other regularly performed duties which support the function of an office operation. Some Senior Office Assistants may give direction and review the work of a group of workers while performing the same duties as the workers.
Some positions may be designated "confidential" in nature, in accordance with the County Employee Relations Ordinance, and are excluded from the representation unit which includes positions allocated to the regular class.

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Clear writing: grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary
• Standard methods of filing (alphabetic, numeric, chronological)
• English language to communicate
• Telephone procedures
• Arithmetic to make calculations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and correct change
• Keyboard (computer, typewriter)
• Letter and memo format
• General principles, procedures and practices of recordkeeping
• Customer service techniques
• Sacramento County and various departmental policies, procedures and functions
• Word processing and applicable terminology

Ability to

• Calculate solutions to math problems involving addition, subtraction, division and multiplication
• Understand and follow basic and complex oral and written instructions
• Operate computer terminals, typewriter, printer, copier, microfiche, and FAX
• Prioritize work to meet deadlines
• Write English at a level necessary to prepare correspondence according to specified format and record incoming information
• Speak English at a level necessary to communicate information clearly
• Operate communication devices, telephone and may include radios
• Accurately proofread details, noting and detecting errors
• Communicate effectively with the public and other public agencies
• Explain or clarify policies and procedures
• Deal tactfully with people and resolve difficult complaints
• Read English at a level necessary to understand procedure manuals, policy guidelines, software manuals, technical documents and reports
• Write English at a level necessary to compose correspondence independently from notes or verbal instruction
• Assists supervisors in writing policies, procedures, and desk manuals
• Train and cross-train employees
• Give instructions and assign work to staff
• Work independently and carry out assignments with minimal supervision
• Compile, arrange, and present information in a clear and concise manner
• Exercise independent judgment in determining proper work methods and procedures, assembling and evaluating information
• Take responsibility and use good judgment in recognizing which decisions to make on your own versus those you should first refer to your supervisor
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Required for some positions
Types from clear copy accurately at a rate of not less than 45 net words per minute.

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualification
Any combination of education, training, and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities for this class as described above. Typical ways include:

Two (2) years of clerical experience

Note: If the word “experience” is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here (Download PDF reader) or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

Special Requirements
Ability to speak, read, and/or write fluently in a language other than English, or knowledge of the culture as certified by the Department of Personnel Services (formerly the Department of Human Resources).

Where required, these special skills may be used in performing such tasks as the following:

1. Gives information by telephone or in person, regarding department services in an language other than English, to persons who understanding of English is limited.

2. Translates the meaning of written English in regulations or ordinances, to a language other than English.

3. Translates into English requests from the public, presented orally or in writing in a language other than standard English.

4. As assigned, assists other department employees by giving information and advice on problems involving relationships with persons of different language or cultural backgrounds.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.