Human Resources Administrative Assistant I

GENERAL PURPOSE
Performs a variety of entry level complex administrative support duties as needed to expedite the day-to-day functions, operations and services of a department.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general supervision of a Division / Department Director.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
None.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Performs Some or all of the following)
Administrative Support: Performs work of moderate difficulty involving typing, statistical report preparation, and overseeing the administrative operation of the office; relieves the supervisor of administrative details by composing correspondence on own initiative, scheduling meetings and appointments, responding to requests for information, and resolving problems and complaints; prepares graphs and charts; maintains files.
Formats and types letters, reports, charts, and other documents requiring special formatting or containing complex terminology, such as contracts, legal documents, and medical reports; composes correspondence under general direction or on own initiative to expedite the processing and completion of work; sets up and maintains confidential and sensitive department files; takes and transcribes dictation from variety of sources.
Interacts with staff from other departments, elected officials, and the general public in person or by telephone in order to respond to inquiries, receive complaints, and resolve problems; prepares complex government-required reports of a highly responsible nature.
Schedules and confirms appointments, meetings, or reservations, and maintains appointment calendar to ensure effective time management; attends meetings on behalf of the manager to obtain and relay information, or to serve as a spokesperson for the department; coordinates agendas, attends board or council meetings, takes notes on meeting activities, and types minutes for distribution.
Enters and retrieves technical information from a computer in order to perform research, update records, process transactions, or respond to requests for information; prepares narrative and statistical reports in order to track and document activities, and to provide justification for department actions and requests.
May serve as coordinator for legislative information for the department; contacts legislators, commissioners and committees as requested.
Staffing Administration & Oversight: Coordinates with Personnel Department in personnel matters to include; preparation of personnel action forms, longevity increases, service awards and employee review dates; may deal with sensitive and confidential personnel matters at the direction of the department director or other official.
Coordinates with City physician, worker's compensation case manager, Law Department, Health Department and area hospitals regarding issues related to worker's compensation injuries and potential exposures; tracks medical follow-up on employees for testing, vaccinations, etc.
Independently resolves administrative problems related to the efficient operation of the office, such as personnel problems; policy interpretations; and telephone, computer, and equipment malfunctions.
Financial Processes & Payroll: Works with financial section to reconcile budget discrepancies; prepares vouchers to pay to contractors, service providers and others; reviews, checks and processes invoices, requisitions, and other documents; reconciles P-Card transactions.
Processes departmental or divisional payroll to include: calculates, prepares, obtains approval, and sends to payroll division; maintains and updates sick leave, vacation records and personnel files.
General Office Duties: Answers telephone and interacts with the public to respond to inquiries by giving information about policies, guidelines, procedures, or the status of departmental/divisional activities; greets visitors and escorts or directs them to appropriate areas.
Orders supplies and equipment for the office by preparing requisitions and purchase orders, and interacting with vendors regarding specifications and availability of supplies and equipment.
Sets up and maintains electronic files so that documents can be filed and retrieved in an orderly fashion.
Performs related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education and Experience:
A. Graduation from high school or GED;
AND
B. Sufficient experience to demonstrate an aptitude or ability to perform above or related functions;
OR
C. An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Some knowledge of Office administrative and secretarial practices and procedures, such as business letter writing and the operation of standard office equipment, including a word processor and personal or on-line computer; administrative policies and procedures related to the area of assignment; technical terminology appropriate to the area of assignment, such as legal or financial terminology; modern office methods, procedures, equipment, business letter writing, and standard clerical techniques; basic principles of accounting; basic budgetary principles and practices; general office procedures, policies and practices, as well as basic knowledge of computer/VDT and other general office equipment; techniques of effective time management; recordkeeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques; basic mathematical functions; operation of standard office equipment and a personal computer and job-related software.
Some Skill in interpersonal relations and cooperative problem-solving; communicating clearly and effectively with others, orally and in writing; using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines; dealing courteously and diplomatically with the general public; analyzing and resolving office administrative situations and problems; researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials; planning, organizing, and coordinating administrative operations; typing complex, technical, and/or sensitive documents at a rate of 60 words per minute; using computers to enter and retrieve information; organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up assignments with a minimum of direction; applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols; compiling, composing, and maintaining reports; accurately proofreading copy with accompanying knowledge of grammar, punctuation and spelling; understanding and carrying out complex written and oral instructions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; take and transcribe dictation from short hand notes or dictating equipment; read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and so forth; add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, common fractions and decimals; solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; establish and maintain effective working relations with fellow employees and the public. Operate standard office equipment, i.e., personal computer, copy machine, keyboard, multi-line telephone, etc.
Special Qualifications: (depending on area of assignment)
Must complete required NIMS level training within first six months of hire. Valid State Driver's License. May be required to become MULES, ALERT and/or NCIC Certified.

Work Environment:
Incumbent of the position generally performs in a typical office environment where there are little or no physical discomforts associated with changes in weather or discomforts associated with noise, dust, dirt and the like. While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, to reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity is required. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The City of Independence is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. The City of Independence is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

The City of Independence provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job, please submit your request to humanresources-coi@indepmo.org.

Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature, level, and type of work performed by the incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, demands, and skills required of personnel so classified. Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons. Management reserves the right in coordination with the governing union (if applicable) to add, delete, or modify any and/or all provisions of this description at any time as needed without notice. This job description supersedes earlier versions.