Clerk

Otsego County; Village of Cooperstown (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Social Services in Cooperstown, NY is seeking a detail-oriented Clerk to perform standard clerical tasks using a computer and office equipment. Duties include processing, organizing, data entry, filing, responding to inquiries, scheduling, and basic payroll/time records.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma, strong English and arithmetic, and the ability to follow instructions and maintain neat records.

Qualifications

• Requires working knowledge of office terminology, procedures and equipment.
• Proficiency in business arithmetic and English; familiarity with computerized records maintenance.
• Ability to perform close, detail work with concentration and follow oral/written instructions.

Responsibilities

• Receives and organizes work to be processed and recorded.
• Contacts clients, vendors, and insurance carriers to obtain information or updates.
• Answer telephone and provide general information.
• Prepare, store and retrieve lists and documents.
• Update department forms on a computer using word processing software.
• Order office supplies and maintain inventory.
• Sort, date stamp and distribute mail and packages.
• Maintain filing systems and purge obsolescent material.
• Make copies of letters, files and reports.
• Schedule meetings and appointments.
• May attend meetings and take minutes.
• May serve as receptionist and greet visitors.
• Enter and retrieve information using computer databases/spreadsheets.
• Collect fees and account for monies received.
• Prepare and maintain time records and payroll data.
• Make journal entries on computers or ledgers.
• Operate copiers and other office machines.

Skills

Office terminology & procedures

Business arithmetic

English

Computerized records maintenance

Detail oriented

Instruction following

Interpersonal communications

Clerical aptitude

Tact & courtesy

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

Tools

Word processing software

Job description

Department of Social Services

EOE

Distinguishing Features of the Class

The work involves responsibility for the performance of standard clerical tasks including the use of a personal computer and other office equipment. Specific duties vary with the needs of the department. Procedures are usually fixed but detailed instructions are given for new or difficult assignments. Work is reviewed by direct observation, checking completed work, periodic or spot checks, cross-checking or other steps in the clerical process. This position differs from Senior Clerk in that duties of a Clerk involve less complex operations than a Senior Clerk and tend to be routine in nature. Does related work as required.

Examples of Work

• Receives and organizes work to be processed and recorded;
• Contacts clients, vendors, and/or insurance carriers to obtain additional information or to update information;
• Answer telephone and take messages or provides callers with general information;
• Prepares, stores and retrieves lists and documents;
• Updates and stores department forms on a computer using word processing software;
• Orders office supplies and maintains inventory of supplies and equipment;
• Sorts, date stamps and distributes mail and packages;
• Maintains alphabetic, numeric and/or chronological files of correspondence, documents and materials by coding and filing new material, searching for requested material and periodically purging obsolete material;
• Makes copies of letters, files and reports;
• Schedules meetings and appointments;
• May attend meetings and take minutes;
• May serve as a receptionist and greet clients and/or visitors;
• May enter and retrieve information using computer database/spreadsheet software;
• May collect fees and account for monies received;
• May prepare and maintain time records and payroll data;
• Makes journal entries on computers or ledgers from original sources;
• Operates copier or other office machines.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Working knowledge of office terminology, procedures and equipment; working knowledge of business arithmetic and English; working knowledge of the principles and practices of computerized records maintenance; ability to perform close, detail work involving considerable visual effort and concentration; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; ability to maintain neat and legible records; clerical aptitude; tact and courtesy.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma.

Applicants may be required to undergo a Local, State, and/or national criminal history background investigation, which will include a fingerprint check, to determine suitability for appointment. Failure to meet the standards for the background investigation may result in disqualification.

Classification

Competitive (full time)