Office Assistant 2 Calculations (NY HELPS)

New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

New York State Department of Taxation and Finance is seeking an Office Assistant to review tax returns and related forms, ensuring data accuracy and completing cases as assigned. You will prepare reports and communicate professionally with taxpayers and staff.

Responsibilities include handling standard clerical tasks, operating office equipment, and maintaining knowledge of relevant procedures. The role requires strict adherence to time and attendance rules and the ability to learn tax systems.

Qualifications

• One year of experience where most work time is spent performing mathematical operations or clerical activities related to mathematical operations.

Responsibilities

• Review tax returns and refund claims, verify data, and compute calculations.
• Prepare reports by collecting, compiling, computing and displaying data.
• Communicate clearly with taxpayers, representatives and Department staff.
• Operate standard office equipment and use tax systems and applications.

Skills

Mathematical operations

Clerical activities

Communication

Job description

Duties Description

• Review tax returns and refund claims filed by taxpayers; examine returns and associated reporting forms and schedules to verify the accuracy of taxpayer data; compute calculations; complete a sufficient number of cases correctly based on the complexity of the claims assigned.
• Develop and maintain a good working knowledge and practical application of limited sections of Tax Law, Regulations and Audit Guidelines and Department procedures and policies, including Code of Conduct, Ethics practices, Internal Controls, Security and Confidentially rules.
• Prepare reports by collecting, compiling, computing and displaying data as required.
• Communicate effectively, clearly, and professionally with Department staff, taxpayers and their representatives, and others in person and via phone and written communication; develop and prepare correspondence, reports and other documents.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors; understand and carry out instructions; resolve work problems with supervisory assistance.
• Operate office equipment such as printers, photocopiers, fax machines and calculators.
• Learn, maintain, and update skills in computer technology; manipulate an alphanumeric keyboard to utilize various computer systems and applications including tax specific applications, CD ROM, e-Mail etc.
• Supervision may be required.
• Adhere to the Department's time and attendance rules and regulations.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a permanent non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The selected candidate must be reachable on the eligible list for this title and location under Civil Service Law, Rules and Regulations.

OR

The selected candidate must be eligible for a 70.1 transfer under Civil Service Law, Rules and Regulations.

OR

NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Current NYS employees with one year or more of qualifying permanent service as an Office assistant, clerical or keyboarding title allocated to Grade 6 or higher. Qualifying titles are available at: Department of Civil Service (ny.gov)

OR

One year of experience where most work time is spent performing mathematical operations, and/or clerical activities related to mathematical operations.

Additional Comments

New York State is an equal opportunity employer. It’s the policy of the state of New York to provide for and promote equal opportunity in employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or an arrest or criminal conviction record unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

Any candidate selected for this position will be subject to a review of their tax return submissions by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Employment of a candidate is conditioned upon a finding by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance that the candidate is in compliance with all local, state, and federal tax laws. In accordance with federal government requirements, the employment of any candidate selected for this position is conditioned upon successfully completing a background investigation including a criminal history record check (fingerprint check).

Note: Due to the nature of this position, newly hired employees will not be eligible to telecommute. After the specified training period, employees may be allowed to submit a telecommuting application in accordance with the Department’s policy and subject to management approval.