PRINCIPAL OFFICE ASSISTANT 0027

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Under general supervision, the employee in this class performs highly difficult and responsible clerical functions of a varied nature and/or supervises a unit of employees performing specialized clerical duties. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate supervisory and clerical employees engaged in maintaining a large number of clerical records requiring complex procedures. Employees are held responsible for the proper performance of the assigned supervisory or technical activities of their unit and they make independent work decisions based on experience and knowledge of departmental operations. Difficult technical policy and procedural questions are referred to a supervisor for decision. Work is reviewed through conferences, audits and observations of administrative supervisors. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Assumes responsibility for supervising an office staff and directing office procedures;

Assists in the preparation of annual budgets and the processing of payrolls;

Directs clerical detail work relating to personnel, purchasing, mail and correspondence, processing and filing of legal papers, relief orders, and other specialized documents;

Organizes, assigns and reviews work of clerical employees engaged in skilled office tasks;

Instructs new staff members in unit and agency objectives; over-sees and installs new work procedures and methods;

Supervises examination of documents and application forms for accuracy and completeness when presented for filing, recording or other administrative action; supervises issuance of licenses and permits of various kinds; supervises tax searches and crediting and recording of all tax payments to the County Treasurer;

Supervises employees performing cashier duties or clerical duties relating to collection and processing of license fees and payments;

Audits authorizations for relief payments; reviews individual relief budgets for accuracy of computation and compliance with County Policy;

Maintains departmental budget records; maintains activity controls and cost records according to established classifications; prepares standardized reports and statements.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of general office terminology, procedures, equipment and clerical techniques; thorough knowledge of business English, spelling and arithmetic; good knowledge of the principles of office management and supervision and ability to apply these principles to office operations; some knowledge of bookkeeping methods and principles; ability to plan, assign and supervise the work of a moderate sized clerical staff and to instruct and train clerical employees in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; ability to maintain complex records and to prepare periodic reports from these records; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPEN COMPETITIVE

Either:

Graduation from a standard senior high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and four (4) years of clerical experience.

NOTE: Additional education beyond high school from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State may be substituted for the above experience on a year-for-year basis.

PROMOTIONAL

Two (2) years of permanent competitive status as a Senior Office Assistant, Senior Office Assistant (Spanish Speaking), Senior Clerk, Senior Data Entry Operator, Senior Stenographer, Senior Legal Secretary, Real Property Recorder III, Senior Library Clerk, Medical Records Clerk or Medical Records Clerk (Spanish Speaking); or,

Three (3) years of permanent competitive status as a Real Property Recorder II or Personnel Transactions Clerk.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

To be employed by the Suffolk County Police Department candidates may be required to attain New York State Police Information Network (NYSPIN) certification within (1) month of appointment; employees must maintain this certification while employed in this title.

R 3/2//20

SUFOLK COUNTY

Competitive