Under general direction, performs very advanced secretarial work of substantial difficulty and complexity for a department head or comparable senior administrator in various County office settings; performs advanced quasi-administrative/analytical and office technical work within the secretarial role; may be responsible for clerical office management and/or may perform second-level supervision over a group of other clerical/technical employees as a related, but not definitive, duty; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3, of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the highly advanced-level class in the Office Secretary series. Positions must meet specific criteria for allocation to this class and are not multi-allocated with other levels in the series. Incumbents in this class usually perform secretarial work for a department head or similar executive-level employee. Consequently, the level of secretarial work expected of incumbents is greatly impacted by the executive focus and related highly sensitive/confidential nature of the assignments. Incumbents are expected to apply a substantial level of initiative and independent judgment to their work, which may also include quasi-administrative/analytical duties.
This class differs from the class of Administrative Secretary because incumbents in that class usually provide advanced secretarial duties for one or more senior-level managers/administrators and often have very strong first-line supervisory responsibilities.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Performs highly advanced secretarial support duties, usually for a department head or executive with responsibility for a large department or division; acts as a liaison between the manager(s) and staff and may represent management in highly sensitive and confidential situations; develops and recommends complex procedures applicable to areas of assignment; develops and implements systems for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned operations; monitors deadlines and calendars as assigned and develops/maintains control and tracking systems; arranges and coordinates complex meetings, seminars or classes; arranges for travel transportation; may coordinate and/or perform clerical/technical aspects of budget administration.
Receives and screens visitors and calls, using a very high degree of judgment in their disposition; interprets and explains specialized and complex information regarding established rules, regulations, policies, procedures and technical office operations to managers, patients, clients, outside agencies and others; researches difficult and complex issues; obtains information from managers, staff, patients, clients, and others; identifies and seeks to meet customer needs, maintaining tact and diplomacy and using good judgment regarding sensitive/confidential matters; provides customer service in a calm, helpful and effective manner.
Relieves superior of very complex quasi-administrative/analytical duties in areas such as personnel management, payroll, purchasing, inventory, systems maintenance and/or similar functions; gathers, analyzes and maintains specialized and complex information related to office administrative operations, including administration of the budget; reviews and analyzes complex legal, custody, health care and other administrative records to identify needed information; researches, compiles, maintains and processes statistical, financial and/or other numerical data to support highly specialized office functions; may perform highly-advanced clerical accounting duties.
Prepares a variety of difficult and complex reports, letters, resolutions and other documents with substantial independence, utilizing a highly advanced knowledge of specialized subject matter; develops and maintains complex spreadsheets and databases, either by hand or computer; maintains data and develops reports for budget and other purposes.
Develops and maintains specialized filing systems, including coding and indexing various records and/or legal documents; prepares master lists and control files.
Applies internal and external laws, regulations, ordinances and policies as they relate to assigned responsibilities; may produce and/or issue complex documents and complete complex forms for the purpose of documenting specialized program-related information.
As an incidental duty, may perform second-level supervision over a small group of clerical and/or technical employees; provides training as assigned; develops, organizes and distributes training materials as appropriate.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Either I
Experience: Two years at a level comparable or higher to Office Secretary in San Joaquin County service that included significant responsibility for performing management secretarial duties.
Or II
Experience: Six years of general clerical, secretarial and/or office technical work, including at least two years with primary responsibility for performing management secretarial duties.
Substitutions: a) One year of business training in an approved vocational training program may substitute for one year of the above-required experience; or b) Completion of 30 semester/45 quarter credit units at an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the above-required experience; or c) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in public or business administration, human resources management, labor relations, accounting, or a related field may substitute for the four years on non- secretarial experience required above.
And
Certificates: If required by the nature of the assignment: 1) possession of acceptable typing/keyboarding or other certification of ability to input data at the rate of 45 words per minute; and/or 2) possession of an acceptable proficiency certificate in one or more computer software programs.
Special Requirement: Most positions require the ability to use computers and/or word processing equipment. If required by the nature of the assignment, demonstrated general or software-specific computer proficiency may be required prior to appointment.
KNOWLEDGE
Highly advanced secretarial and other office practices and procedures; advanced principles and practices of prioritizing, planning and organizing work; advanced clerical practices related to personnel management, payroll, labor relations, purchasing, inventory control, clerical accounting, and systems development/maintenance; advanced clerical methods of researching, gathering, organizing and reporting data; standard analytical principles and processes; personal computer systems and general office computer software; public relations techniques; advanced interviewing techniques; advanced filing and record keeping systems; complex correspondence and report formats; advanced clerical accounting methods and practices; principles of training and supervision.
ABILITY
Provide a full range of secretarial duties to support managers and/or other high-level staff; perform quasi-administrative/analytical work related to various specialized office activities; research, interpret, and apply complex laws/regulations, court orders, program policies/procedures, and third-party rules/requirements related to areas such as personnel management, payroll, labor relations, purchasing, inventory control, clerical accounting and systems development/maintenance; evaluate and establish priorities; gather, organize, input and maintain complex information, including financial or program-specific data; provide/obtain detailed information to/from others as appropriate, includingconfidential and/or otherwise sensitive information; utilize advanced office procedures and equipment; follow complex oral and written procedures and directions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, even in difficult situations; communicate effectively with others; write clearly and legibly; perform advanced arithmetical operations; lead or supervise others.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility-Frequent operation of a data entry device, repetitive motion, sitting for long periods, walking; occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing; Lifting-Frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual-Constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological-Frequent decision making, concentration, and public contact; Special Requirements-Some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime; Environmental-Occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.