Introduction
This entry-level position with the City is an excellent job opportunity for those just starting their career or seeking to transition into the public sector. This role can offer stability, skill development, networking, and potential for career growth. Working within a governmental entity provides insight into public administration, policy-making processes, and governance. This exposure can be both intellectually stimulating and rewarding for individuals interested in public affairs. Working for the City allows you to make a direct impact on the community you live in or serve.
PRIMARY FUNCTION
This position is responsible for providing administrative support in the operation of an office or department. Through skilled clerical, secretarial, and administrative work, the incumbent supports directors, managers, and other department employees in a variety of administrative or program assignments. Work typically includes reception, utilizing computers to enter, maintain data, produce correspondence, or other materials, and process electronic or paper forms. Information and record keeping are also a part of this role. The variety of work may differ among departments where this position is utilized.
Work performed requires a high degree of accuracy, the ability to meet time schedules and deadlines, and at times, the responsibility to maintain confidential and sensitive information. Work is performed with a degree of independence, according to general or specific instructions, and at times may be self-initiated. Work is reviewed by conferences, reports, and/or observation of results.
This is a citywide classification used by multiple departments throughout the City of New Haven. Appointments are made to a specific department based on operational needs; this is not a floating or rotating assignment. The resulting eligibility list may be used to fill vacancies in various departments as they occur. Candidates selected for appointment may not have the opportunity to choose their department of assignment.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Greets and assists visitors, answers and screens phone calls. • Routes visitors and callers to the appropriate party. • Communicates in Spanish and translates as needed. • Handles and routes mail, depending on assigned department, may arrange appointments, meetings, and/or conferences for directors or others in the department. • Handles routine requests for information, procedural guidelines, or assistance over the telephone or in person. • Gives information to other divisions and the public, requiring knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, and procedures. • May assist in resolving administrative problems as assigned. • Maintains polite and professional communication via phone, email, and all other forms of correspondence. • Uses computers and/or other standard office equipment to generate items such as but not limited to correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, presentations, and/or other documents required to provide administrative support and efficient operation of the office. • Uses computers to compile and/or perform data entry. • Retrieves data to produce reports, perform audits, and/or conduct research. • Creates and/or maintains electronic and/or paper records and files according to established procedures. • Searches files for information. • May maintain less complex accounting, financial, and cost records where no technical knowledge is required. • May handle personnel records. • Depending on assigned department, may handle financial and purchasing functions, payroll functions, and expenditure functions. • Depending on assigned department, prepares payroll vouchers, requisitions, and purchase orders. • Performs routine posting to ledgers, account books, or other records. • Assists in or maintains inventory and orders supplies. • Depending on assigned department, may assist in planning, preparing, and coordinating the preparation of capital and operating budgets, including analysis of budget requests. • Depending on assigned department, may arrange and schedule preparations for meetings of a Board or Commission and may act as recording secretary. • Performs related work as required.
EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Graduation from a high school, which may be supplemented by college-level courses relevant to the job duties performed by this position. At least 2 years of experience with administrative work, such as described in the duties of this position. Knowledge of Spanish and English languages, broad enough for ready conversation of each language to the other, with the ability to convey accurately the intended meaning of the spoken word or sentence.
KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
• Considerable knowledge of modern office systems, practices, and procedures. • Computer literacy skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite programs, primarily MSWord, MSExcel, and Outlook. • Considerable knowledge of business English, spelling, and arithmetic. • Ability to maintain record systems and to assemble and prepare reports from such records. • Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing, as well as to understand and follow oral and written instructions. • Ability to communicate effectively in both English and in Spanish. • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public. • Ability to research, assimilate data, and present findings orally and in readable narrative form when necessary. • Ability to be professional, polite, attentive, and accurate. • Ability to be organized, manage time to meet deadlines, anticipate needs, be detail-oriented, and resourceful.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to communicate effectively in both English and in Spanish orally and in writing and translate between the two.
SALARY BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
This is a General Fund Tested position. This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 884 American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. Bargaining agreements are available to review.
General Funded hires into this class are not covered by Social Security and will not pay Social Security taxes. They instead participate in the City Pension, with the employee contribution rate being 10% of pay.
The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support.
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of:
Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.
Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the City of New Haven has adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.
Selection Plan
Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate within their submission that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
Applicants meeting minimum requirements may be invited to participate in a Civil Service exam process at a later date.
It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process. Your application and resume should indicate that you meet the minimum requirements as listed.
This information may be used to determine the eligibility list. As such, this job announcement should be considered the exam announcement, and submissions may be evaluated prior to the posted closing date.
Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found.
Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.
We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidates for a position.
Conclusion
To apply for this opportunity, complete your User Registration. You are encouraged to save your Applicant Profile for future use.
MUST click on the job posting you are interested in and click Apply or Apply Online from within that posting.
MAKE SURE the job you are applying for is named at the top of the page as you review your application.
Review or modify your application for that position.
Click Ready to Send App or the Send tab read page and click the attestation.
Click Send to City of New Haven.
You will be redirected to CONFIRMATION OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION SUBMISSION.
You will also receive an email and text if a number was provided confirming your submission.
If you do not receive this confirmation in the next 24 hours, your application has not been submitted - please contact us at NHJobs@newhavenct.gov.
Please note that your Profile is NOT an application for an open position. After you create your Applicant Profile, you must still click on a Job Title and complete the application as instructed for each position.