DCS SECRETARY - 10192026-81983

State of Tennessee; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Tennessee’s Department of Children's Services in Oak Ridge, TN seeks a full-time secretary to greet clients, provide intake support, and assist staff with a range of administrative tasks. The role emphasizes dependability, organization, and effective communication with internal teams and the public.

Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, adaptable to changing priorities, and capable of building positive relationships while handling sensitive information with professionalism.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school.
• Substitution of full-time secretarial or office clerical experience for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Criminal history disclosure form required; consent to release records to appointing authority.
• Fingerprint sample required for history checks; review of status on vulnerable persons registry.

Responsibilities

• Prepares a variety of materials including correspondence, memoranda, abstracts, spreadsheets, and reports; checks spelling and grammar.
• Communicates with customers via phone, email, or in-person to provide guidance on policies and procedures.
• Gathers information from files, internet, and databases for meetings, interviews, and presentations.
• Performs administrative tasks including document creation, filing, auditing, calendars, and disseminating information.
• Inspects office equipment to ensure proper operation.
• Other duties as they arise.

Skills

Active Learning and Listening

Reading Comprehension

Time Management

Writing

Communicates Effectively

Interpersonal Savvy

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Computers

Copier/Scanner/Fax Machine

Telephone

Audio & Visual Equipment

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 10/19/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 10/19/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 10/25/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $2,925.00 - $4,374.00

Salary (Annually) $35,100.00 - $52,488.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Oak Ridge, TN

Department Children's Services

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES, ANDERSON COUNTY

This position requires drug testing prior to employment in order to be considered for this position. A Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) screening will be conducted prior to employment.

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school.

OR

Qualifying full‑time secretarial or office clerical experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.

Necessary Special Qualifications:

Positions within the Division of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Human Services will be required to:

• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;
• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority;
• Supply a fingerprint sample prescribed by the TBI based criminal history records check;
• Submit to a review of their status on the Department of Health's vulnerable persons registry.

Overview

At the Department of Children's Services, our secretaries serve as initial client support, greeting them at entry into our facilities and taking their calls. Secretaries also provide administrative support to our staff and leadership teams. An ideal candidate would be someone who is dependable, organized, detail oriented, and takes pride in doing quality work; someone who appreciates structure while also being comfortable adapting to changing priorities and situations. We value someone who is personable, approachable, and able to build positive relationships with others. The ability to communicate thoughtfully, handle challenging situations with professionalism, and navigate conflict with patience and respect will be important to success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Prepares a variety of materials including correspondence, memoranda, abstracts, spreadsheets, various reports, and other items. Reviews materials for spelling, grammar, and makes suggestions for improvements where appropriate.
• Communicates with customers through phone, email, and/or in-person to provide assistance and direction regarding policies, procedures, and agency information.
• Gathers information from various sources such as files, the internet, and databases for meetings, interviews, presentations, and to perform other administrative tasks.
• Performs various administrative tasks including but not limited to creating documents for internal/external communications, filing, auditing documentation for accuracy and completion, monitoring inventory levels, maintaining calendars, and disseminating information.
• Inspects office equipment to ensure proper working condition.
• Other duties as they arise.

Competencies (KSA's)

• Manages Ambiguity
• Nimble Learning
• Communicates Effectively
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Decision Quality

Competencies

• Manages Ambiguity
• Nimble Learning
• Communicates Effectively
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Decision Quality

Knowledges

• Customer and Personal Service
• Clerical
• English Language
• Mathematics

Skills

• Active Learning and Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Social Perceptiveness
• Time Management
• Writing

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension & Expression
• Speech Clarity & Recognition
• Written Comprehension
• Memorization

Tools & Equipment

• Computers
• Copier/Scanner/Fax Machine
• Various Office Equipment (i.e. Postage Meter, Laminating Machine)
• Telephone
• Audio & Visual Equipment

TN Driver Standards

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

• Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.