Office Assistant I

CalHR; Sutter Creek (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

CalHR in Amador County is seeking an Office Assistant I to perform clerical duties including filing, reception, mail handling, data entry, and form processing under supervision.

The role emphasizes accuracy, customer service, and ability to navigate department systems, with training provided and potential progression to higher levels. Candidates should have prior office experience; the written examination is planned for October 2026 and the eligible list process applies.

Qualifications

• Experience and/or training in an office setting related to filing, reception, processing mail, typing, data entry, answering telephones, assisting the public or other clerical duties.
• Ability to explain policies, procedures, and regulations governing program operations.
• Analytical skills to identify and correct inaccurate or inconsistent information.
• English grammar, spelling, and punctuation proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Addresses complaints and explains regulations to customers or the public.
• Responds to inquiries regarding departmental functions, services, policies, and procedures.
• Obtains information from customers, visitors, or callers to determine appropriate resource, action, document, or staff referral to meet their needs.
• Operates multiline telephone system including answering calls, transferring calls, and taking messages.
• Schedules customer appointments and maintains schedules for technical or professional staff.
• Composes correspondence, reports, memos, and other documents.
• Reviews and processes forms/documents in accordance with established guidelines and procedures.

Skills

Office basics

Data entry

Customer service

Filing & recordkeeping

Telephone handling

Written communication

Listening and comprehension

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Email & calendaring

Automated systems

Job description

Performs a variety of general or specialized clerical duties related to filing, reception, form processing, record maintenance, mail, typing or data entry; obtains and compares information related to department records, programs, and services; may perform the initial applicant screening as an incidental function and initiate cases through the department's automated system; and performs related work as required.

Working under close supervision, Office Assistant I is the entry/trainee level in the Office Assistant series. Employees in this class receive in-service training and are given detailed instructions in the performance of routine clerical duties related to filing, reception, form processing, record maintenance, mail, and typing or data entry and performs tasks that are more structured and repetitive than those assigned to level II. As requisite skills and knowledge are developed, greater independence and the full scope of responsibility are exercised. Unless a position is permanently allocated to level I due to the nature of the work, employees are expected to promote to the Office Assistant II level after one year of satisfactory performance at the trainee level.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Note: For Office Assistant I, duties are performed at the trainee level.

• Addresses complaints and explains regulations to customers or the public.
• Responds to inquiries regarding departmental functions, services, policies, and procedures.
• Obtains information from customers, visitors, or callers to determine appropriate resource, action, document, or staff referral to meet their needs.
• Explains the proper use of forms and documents.
• Prepares items for mailing and sorts and distributes incoming mail according to established guidelines and procedures.
• Operates multiline telephone system including answering calls, transferring calls, and taking messages.
• Schedules customer appointments and maintains schedules for technical or professional staff.
• Composes correspondence, reports, memos, and other documents.
• Reviews and processes forms/documents in accordance with established guidelines and procedures.
• Monitors and updates manual or electronic files.
• Operates a variety of standard office equipment.
• Compiles information to respond to questions or address issues.
• Reviews submitted forms or applications to verify accuracy and completeness.
• Operates automated systems, or other department-specific computer systems.
• Maintains accurate department and customer records.
• Performs initial screening of applications for departmental services.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Note: The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed below are related to job duties as distinguished between the two levels in the Definition section.

Knowledge of:

• General office functions, procedures, equipment, and filing systems.
• General goals and purposes of department programs, services, and operations.
• English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Word processing, spreadsheet, database, email, calendaring programs, and automated systems.

Ability to:

• Explain policies, procedures, and regulations governing program operations.
• Analyze situations involving rules and regulations and demonstrate good judgment when making decisions.
• Quickly and accurately enter and retrieve data using an automated system.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Interact with individuals from various educational, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Work cooperatively as part of a team.
• Identify and correct inaccurate or inconsistent information.
• Listen attentively and understand oral information provided.
• Prioritize, plan, and organize one's own work.

Experience and/or training in an office setting, paid or unpaid, related to filing, reception, processing mail, typing, data entry, answering telephones, assisting the public or other clerical duties.

Examination Information

Written Examination – Weighted 100%

The written examination will consist of a multiple choice online written exam with the following three (3) test sections:

1. Written Communication /Grammar

2. Filing and Sorting

3. Data Accuracy

To obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.

It is anticipated that the examination will be held during October 2026. Competitors who do not complete the written examination will be disqualified.

Eligible List Information

A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Amador. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.

Retest Period

Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.

Special Testing Arrangements

Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at [e-mail] or 916-909-3701 upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.

Education Documents

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

General Information

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.

If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

• The ability to speak, read and write Spanish in addition to English would be an asset in this position, but is not required.
• A valid driver’s license may be required at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Positions may require pre-employment screening, including background checks, and fingerprinting.
• Government agencies accessing US government information, which include federal tax information must ensure that background investigation requirements for all agency employees and contractors that have access to federal tax information are consistent to the IRS background investigation requirements for access to federal tax information. A background check may be required if the position requires access to these types of records. Background requirements consist of three components which include, fingerprinting, citizenship verification and local law enforcement checks. State agencies must conduct investigation during time of hire and ensure a reinvestigation is conducted 10 years from the date of the previous background investigation for each employee that has access to federal tax information.

About Amador County

Billed as “The Heart of the Mother Lode,” Amador County is located in the Gold Country in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Though geographically one of the smallest counties in California, Amador County offers several bodies of water, from lakes to reservoirs and rivers, and is home to over 40 different wineries and vineyards. Residents and visitors in Amador County enjoy year-round recreation and activities, with hiking trails for all abilities, as well as fishing, cycling, skiing, and golf. The county is also host to a myriad of music events, festivals, and local sporting events.