Office Specialist 2

State of Oregon; La Grande (OR); On-site; USD 39,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ODHS Employee Resource Group

Cost of Living Adjustments

Annual salary increases

Public Service Loan ForgivenessProgram

Veterans’ and Oregon National Guard

Job summary

The Oregon Department of Human Services is hiring an Office Specialist 2 to join our Child Welfare team in La Grande, rural eastern Oregon. This permanent, full-time role provides administrative and records support, handles inquiries, and logs transactions for gas cards and reimbursements.

Ideal candidates will have an associate degree or equivalent experience, strong communication skills, and proficiency with MS Office. The position offers competitive pay, benefits, and possible career growth.

Qualifications

• Two years of general clerical experience including keyboarding or word processing.
• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience using Microsoft Office products such as Word, Outlook and Excel.
• Ability to communicate agency rules and policies clearly.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and records support, answer phone calls and inquiries.
• Issue and track gas cards, transportation passes, and reimbursements, logging transactions.
• Support protective services and permanency staff by entering case data into OR-Kids.
• Request and gather records such as police reports, court documents, and health records.
• Learn about the Child Welfare Program and agency procedures.

Skills

Attention to detail

Prioritizing work

Problem solving

Verbal and written communication

Self-motivation

Team collaboration

Education

Associate degree

Equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel)

Job description

Initial Posting Date: 08/21/2026 Application Deadline: 09/06/2026 Agency: Department of Human Services

Salary Range: $3,515 - $4,738

Position Type: Employee

Office Specialist 2

Job Description

The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Opportunity awaits! Ready to make an impact every day? Step into the Office Specialist 2 role and bring your strengths to a Child Welfare team dedicated to supporting and uplifting those who need it most. We are currently seeking an Office Specialist 2 to join our Child Welfare team based in our La Grande office. La Grande is in rural eastern Oregon. Learn more: https://www.cityoflagrande.org/

Summary of Duties

• Provide administrative and records support, answering phone calls, responding to inquiries, and clearly communicating agency rules and policies.
• Issue and track gas cards, negotiable goods, transportation passes, and parent mileage reimbursements, accurately logging all transactions in our records system.
• Support protective services and permanency staff by entering case data and documentation into the OR-Kids database.
• Request and gather relevant records, including police reports, court documents, and physical or mental health records, as needed.
• Learn more about our agency, Child Welfare Program.

Minimum Qualifications

• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.
• Two years of general clerical experience that includes keyboarding, word processing, or other experience generating documents;
• An associate degree in any field;
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Essential Attributes

• Demonstrated experience conducting work that requires attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience successfully prioritizing work to meet competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, including the ability to think critically.
• Verbal and written communication skills that include demonstrated experience serving as a responsive and reliable resource for others.
• Experience using computer systems, and Microsoft Office products, including Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Demonstrated experience being self-motivated, managing time efficiently, staying organized, taking initiative and offering support to others.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating and working successfully with a team.
• Demonstrated ability to identify when additional guidance or support is needed, along with a willingness to seek assistance proactively.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt with flexibility and ease to changing environments and shifting priorities.

Working Conditions

• Work Locations: Offices and community sites.
• Travel: Occasional travel for meetings, trainings, and other case related activities.
• Hours: Regular work week with fluctuating hours; occasional overtime may be needed, including evenings and weekends.
• Physical Requirements: Occasional physical activity, including lifting up to 50 pounds.
• This role involves handling sensitive topics related to trauma, abuse, and crises, requiring a trauma-informed approach that is essential to ensure a safe environment. You may interact with individuals who have experienced trauma and may have difficulty managing their emotions. Be prepared for stressful situations that require quick decision-making to ensure safety for yourself and others.

Benefits

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.
• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
• Amazing benefits package.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Employment Preference Veterans’ and Oregon National Guard preference: Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference.

Finalists Background Checks and Requirements

If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification. Additional background check information. The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint-based criminal records check.

General Information

This is a permanent, full‑time position and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The salary range listed is the non‑PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6.95%. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.

Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”