Office Assistant II - English and Bilingual (English/Spanish)

  • Sonoma County, CA
  • Santa Rosa, California
  • Apr 18, 2024
Full Time Clerical and Administrative Support
  • Salary: 51,802 USD

Job Description

Position Information

Grow your administrative career and make a positive impact working with the County of Sonoma!

Multiple Office Assistant II positions available!

Starting salary up to $30.17/hour ($62,968/year) plus a competitive total compensation package* and an additional $1.15/hour for basic bilingual assignments and $1.50/hour for fluent bilingual assignments**!

IMPORTANT DATES

Tentative Date(s) for the Written Examination:

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 and Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Join Us as an Office Assistant II:

If you possess a drive for exemplary customer service, data-entry, excellent interpersonal skills, and effective communication abilities, along with the talent to thrive under pressure and be assertive in challenging situations, we encourage you to apply now. As an Office Assistant II (OA II) with the County of Sonoma, you will have an opportunity to:

  • Assist clients and members of the public
  • Help to prepare and maintain program and client files
  • Enter and retrieve data from a variety of systems
  • Update computer system files
  • Compile information to create data processing and production related reports
  • Maintain and process a variety of records and transactions
  • Use a variety of computer systems and apply procedures and regulations while doing so
  • Perform various office and clerical related tasks
As an ideal candidate to join the team, you will bring your:

  • Ability to utilize a variety of software programs, including but not limited to, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.
  • Experience handling inquiries from the public, both in person and over the phone
  • Adeptness at performing office support activities (filing, data input, record maintenance, mail handling, reception, etc.)
  • Experience performing fast and accurate data-entry
  • Ability to interpret rules and procedures
  • Strong desire to serve this community
This recruitment is currently being conducted to fill:
  • Three full-time fluent bilingual (English/Spanish) positions in the Human Services Department
  • Three full-time monolingual (English) positions in the Human Services Department
  • One full-time basic bilingual (English/Spanish) position in the Department of Health Services
  • Two intermittent extra-help basic bilingual (English/Spanish) positions in the Department of Health Services
What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

  • Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
  • Bilingual Premium Pay* - An additional $1.15/$1.50/hour on top of the hourly pay rate for basic/fluent bilingual positions
  • Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
  • County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
  • Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
  • Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
  • Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
  • Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
  • Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

**Bilingual positions require English and Spanish skills at either the basic (conversational) or fluent (reading, writing, and conversational) level. Applicants who wish to be considered for a bilingual position must indicate their level of skill in the required supplemental questionnaire. An examination will be conducted prior to employment in a bilingual position to confirm the level of skill in this area. Bilingual premium pay is $1.15/hour for basic and $1.50/hour for fluent.

EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYMENT

Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Intermittent, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most regular employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Intermittent, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of 1,380 hours within any twelve-month consecutive period. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill multiple full-time and extra-help English and Bilingual (English/Spanish) Office Assistant II positions in the Department of Health Services and the Human Services Department. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, one year experience as an Office Assistant I with the County or one year of work experience in an office environment will provide this opportunity.

Special Skill Assignment: Some positions may require the ability to type at a corrected speed of 45 words per minute. All positions require considerable ability to operate a personal computer and multiple software. Some positions may require the ability to communicate in a language other than English.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: modern office practices, methods and procedures, general goals and purposes of county and departmental programs, services, and operations; clerical and department work practices, procedures, programs, services, policies and regulations; the purpose and processing of a diversity of materials; English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and composition; basic arithmetic, ratios, and percentages; office equipment such as personal computers, typewriters, adding machines, calculators, alpha readers, electronic data processing terminals, printers, copiers, binders, collators, and microfilm equipment; the use of electronic information equipment and specific systems as used within the department; and the use of modern office equipment.

Ability to: read English at a level necessary to understand procedures, manuals, policies and guidelines; write English at a level necessary to prepare correspondence and record incoming information; speak English at a level necessary to communicate information clearly; answer a variety of questions related to department programs, services and operations; exercise sound judgment when initiating processes, actions, and alternatives within established procedures and regulations; understand and carry out written and oral instructions; prepare and maintain accurate reports and records; establish and maintain harmonious work relationships with employees and the public; communicate effectively verbally and in writing with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; enter data accurately into automated systems; maintain confidentiality of restricted information; use discretion in organizing work and carrying out assignments with minimum supervision; use electronic information equipment and specific systems as used within the department; and operate modern office equipment.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

  • Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
  • You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
  • You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
  • Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examinations:

1. An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge and abilities, which relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position.

2. A multiple-choice, written examination (weight 100%), will be conducted to further evaluate each candidate's qualifications as they relate to the position. The written examination will measure the core knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position such as:
  • Filing
  • Applying Information & Reading Comprehension
  • Written Communication Skills
  • Basic Arithmetic
  • Interpersonal Skills & Customer Service
Applicants must attain a minimum passing score of at least 70% on the written examination to be placed on the employment list. The minimum passing score may be an adjusted score based on such factors as difficulty of the examination for this group of candidates, natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates, number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, and past practice.

IMPORTANT DATE

Tentative Date(s) for the Written Examination:

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 and Wednesday, May 22, 2024

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: SZ
HR Technician: RR

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off :Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan : Choice of five health plans (a PPO, EPO, HMO, and two deductible HMOs) with a County contribution toward the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit. For specific details, please refer to the applicable MOU). A County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement is available for some bargaining units.

Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical :County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 5/6/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Base Pay

51,802

Job Address

Santa Rosa, California United States View Map