Office Associate

Office Associate

Salary

$39,943.61 - $69,901.07 Annually

Location

200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646, MD

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2026-00259

Department

COMMISSIONERS OFFICE

Opening Date

09/28/2026

Closing Date

10/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Summary

The hiring salary for this position is $39,943.61 annually.

Please note that applications will be capped at 100 and this job positing may be removed without notice.

Charles County Government is seeking a dynamic Office Associate to perform clerical and office work in support of executive office operations. Associate will be the front line person for Commissioners' Office. This position will perform responsible office tasks requiring an understanding of the substantive operations of the office and including responsible contacts with the public and others. Associate will provide general executive administrative support to the division. This position will assist the public with navigating County services. Workers carry out daily assignments, follow through on matters, and use independent judgment and training to take appropriate actions to deal with standard recurring situations.

Essential Job Functions

• Manages employee schedules and calendars; makes appointments, sets up meetings, and coordinates other arrangements as needed.
• Manages global scheduling for the Commissioners' Office.
• Sends Open Meetings Act notification as needed.
• Refers residents with concerns to the Citizen Response Office
• Receives notifications from the Maryland Secretary of State and disseminates Lowering of the Flag notifications to County employees and outside agencies per the procedures outlined in the Lowering of the Flag SOP.
• Handles office and kitchen supply purchasing. Maintains an inventory of supplies and replenishes inventory as needed.
• Keeps supervisor informed of matters; prepares memos, notes, and reports for supervisor.
• Assists the Office of the Clerk to the Commissioners with ensuring staff coverage for recognitions and public hearings, including assistance with sign-ins and crowd management.
• Communicates throughout the County and with external entities to arrange schedules, meetings and relay or obtain information, or pass on instructions; maintains liaison with and informs other parties of matters requiring their attention.
• Receives and assists visitors to the office; queries visitors and directs them to appropriate staff or offices; answers substantive questions regarding office/department operations for the purpose of facilitating the use of services.
• Assists the public, clientele, and others in accessing and making use of department services by advising them regarding their needs and services provided.
• Receives, screens, and refers telephone calls; queries callers and transfers or refers calls to appropriate staff or other offices; answers technical or substantive questions regarding office/department operations.
• Receives, screens and routes mail; directs items to other staff or County offices as appropriate. Maintains databases such as Laserfiche and Mail Log as well as files containing such data and generates reports.
• Processes information by keying data into computer databases and other computerized record systems; codes and verifies data; updates, edits and corrects data files; produces computer printouts.
• Routes and processes hard copy documents requiring wet signatures.
• Maintains manual and/or automated administrative files and records; ensures confidentiality of files and records and uses discretion in controlling access to and release of information. Checks files and records for notarized and attested signatures.
• Produces a variety of typed or word-processed documents such as letters, memoranda, and reports; transcribes oral and/or machine dictation, or types copy from drafts; proofs and edits typed materials for accuracy of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and format and makes corrections; ensures adherence to established style guides and formats.
• Record and update messages on the automated telephone system.
• Perform data entry and run reports, as directed.
• Attends public forums, hearings, meetings, and events as directed by the Chief of Staff.
• Assists with Commissioners' Office coverage to include front desk and back office, and coverage in the absence of other staff members.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience:

High School diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED). One (1) year of related office clerical experience; or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training.

Licenses or Certifications:

None.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

Work is subject to frequent interruptions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of modern office procedures and practices including operation of office appliances such as calculators, computers, typewriters, and word processors.
• Knowledge of clerical procedures and practices.
• Ability to perform office assignments involving substantive operations of the unit requiring an understanding of unit operations and policies.
• Ability to assist the public, clientele, and others to utilize services by explaining, instructing and advising them regarding their needs and requests and the services provided.
• Ability to perform general office clerical work quickly and efficiently.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to initiate daily assignments, follow through on matters, and use independent judgment and training to take appropriate actions to deal with standard recurring situations.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary with frequent periods of light physical activity and is performed in office surroundings. Requires worker to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; and the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment.

Department/Division: County Administrator/Commissioners' Office

Pay Grade: 105

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: No

Reports to: Commissioner's Office Administrator

Supervises: None

Charles County Government

BENEFITS SUMMARY

www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/CharlesCountyMD

Health Insurance

Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.

Flexible Spending Account

Provides medical and dependent care options.

Supplemental Income Products

Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.

Long Term Disability Insurance

No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month.

Life Insurance

No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.

Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan - Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.

Deferred Compensation Plan

457(b) Governmental Plan - Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.

Employee Leave

• Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
• The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.

Transfer of Sick Leave

New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.

Work Schedules

• Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.

Additional Fringe Benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
• Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility.
• House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full-time employees who are first-time homebuyers.
• Free, Employee Wellness Programs
• Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)

Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2026

01

This position is often the first point of contact for the Commissioners Office. How would you handle an upset or difficult visitor or caller while remaining professional and providing good customer service?

02

This position requires managing competing priorities throughout the day. If you were greeting a visitor, the main County phone line was ringing, documents needed to be filed, and a staff member asked for assistance with an urgent task, how would you prioritize and manage these responsibilities?

03

Please describe your level of proficiency with Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams. What experience do you have with task-management or electronic document-management systems such as Asana and Laserfiche, or similar systems? How comfortable are you learning new technology?

04

Because this position supports elected officials, you may routinely encounter sensitive or confidential documents, conversations, constituent information, and other information that should not be shared. Tell us about your experience handling confidential information and the steps you take to maintain confidentiality while also ensuring accurate data entry, filing, and recordkeeping.

05

Consistent and punctual front-desk coverage is an essential function of this position. The established work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Are you able to reliably work this schedule and maintain regular, punctual attendance? Please describe how you have demonstrated dependability and reliability in your previous positions.

06

For the top candidate selected for this position, the next steps in the hiring process will include verification of employment history and reference checking. We will contact your current employer and two additional professional references following a conditional offer. We will also conduct a background check, driver record check and physical exam, if applicable, and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening before a final offer is extended. Please confirm that you are acknowledging that if you are the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

• I confirm that I am acknowledging that if I am the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

07

The hiring salary for this position is $39,943.61 annually. Internal candidates selected for this position will receive a salary according to the county's promotional pay increase policy. Please confirm that you are acknowledging this is the salary for this position.

• I acknowledge this is the salary for this position.

08

Are you a federal employee recently affected by a layoff/reduction in force?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Charles County Government