Administrative Assistant

Job Announcement

This position provides administrative support for a wide range of human resources operations, personnel and payroll actions for a large department with a geographically dispersed and functionally diverse staff. Interprets federal and state laws, county and department policies and Fairfax County personnel regulations and provides guidance and assistance to department staff. Utilizes FOCUS and PEAQ (SAP systems) data to research complex issues and to produce reports to support programmatic needs. As a member of the Neighborhood and Community Services Human Resources (NCS HR) team, participates in the development of department processes and procedures in these functional areas. Carries out day-to-day work independently. Brings novel or precedent setting issues to the attention of supervisor, cognizant HR staff and/or higher-level management before taking action. Exercises excellent organizational skills to set priorities, manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines, accommodate seasonal workload surges, and utilize time effectively. Works under the supervision of an Administrative Assistant V.

Note: The assigned functional areas of the position are general administrative support, personnel, payroll, reports, and/or information systems/software.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
General Financial Duties
Reviews and approves disbursement forms;
Recommends changes to agency/work unit administrative policies, procedures and methods;
Uses existing spreadsheets and databases to interpret and organize resource information;
Provides customized reports to analysts or others in the unit.
Fiscal Administration
Approves and authorizes accounts through corporate system;
Monitors external accounts and resolves discrepancies;
Reviews and reconciles status reports.
Accounting
Supervises staff performing clerical accounting duties at the Asst. II and III levels;
Resolves problems by performing qualitative review of individual cases;
Enters data into corporate accounting systems and reconciles a wide variety of accounts receivable/payable;
Performs petty cash custodial duties;
Audits clerical accounting procedures in other agencies.
Purchasing
Researches and recommends equipment/vendors and prices;
Determines substitutes for supplies and low value equipment;
Verifies the accuracy of and updates the department equipment and/or fixed asset inventory;
Authorizes requests for goods and services in corporate system;
Monitors contract compliance (e.g., expirations, payment terms, costs);
May act as procurement card manager.
Scheduling & Coordinating for others
Manages supervisor‘s calendar which may require negotiating time and place;
Researches and negotiates with hotels, etc. for best logistical arrangements for rooms;
Makes complex scheduling arrangements involving multiple parties, including informing all relevant parties;
Independently makes and cancels meetings depending on the subject and attendees;
Determines what confidential information can be disseminated and to whom;
Arranges for special room or equipment needs and/or multiple locations & individuals;
Coordinates domestic and foreign travel arrangements for executive/work unit head, unit personnel, and visitors;
Participates in the planning and coordination of national and international meetings (e.g., reserves sites, meeting logistics, publicity.
Communication
Independently composes original correspondence (e.g., preparation of replies to non-technical requests) for the executive/work unit head‘s review and signature;
Coordinates data collection and provides information to others including executive/work unit head;
Explains policies of the functional area (e.g., purchasing, travel, and leave).
Office Management
Performs/supervises several administrative functions (e.g., records management, reception);
Manages a small work unit;
Analyzes short-term administrative needs of the unit (e.g., status of supplies and equipment, determining if work order is needed);
Notifies relevant individuals of work progress and inquires as to its status.
General Administrative
Develops filing systems (paper and/or electronic);
Develops internal mailing processes and procedures;
Prepares non-routine responses to correspondence;
May supervise general administrative functions.
Receptionist/Public Contact
Oversees or resolves non-routine/difficult situations based on knowledge and interpretation of established policies & procedures;
Interprets county rules & regulations to employees, management, and the public using discretion as to proper application.
Word Processing/Typing
Develops macros;
Serves as unit expert or lead over other clerical/administrative positions.
Information Systems/Software
Develops macros;
Creates and maintains databases;
Generates unique reports;
Creates complex spreadsheets for work unit;
Diagnoses and resolves simple software/hardware problems;
Maintains Web pages;
Designs and lays out publications using specialized software packages;
May supervise.
Reports
Prepares routine reports and statistics based on information compiled from various sources;
Determines report format and elements.
Payroll
Prepares and/or supervises preparation of complex payroll (e.g., shift differential, overtime, multiple grants, 56 hour workweek, FLSA).
Researches payroll issues (e.g., overtime, leave hours).
Interprets policies & procedures.
Personnel
Initiates the full range of processing for complex personnel actions;
Conducts new employee orientation within assigned agency, including notifying employees of Period of Initial Eligibility and the importance of compliance;
Counsels employees on basic benefit questions;
Uses Human Capital Management Enterprise Resource Planning system regularly to process departmental HR transactions;
Updates job descriptions using information obtained from employee, supervisor, evaluations and samples;
Resolves personnel processing problems on personnel policy/procedures with interpretation from appropriate resource (e.g., DHR);
Completes job recruitment packages including drafting advertisement language for non-professional job announcements;
Serves as liaison between supervisor/manager and HR regarding routine personnel actions;
Advises supervisor and provides information regarding HR policies and procedures.
Prepares diversity report.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
Knowledge and understanding of the programs or activities of the unit served, as well as of the county and departmental administrative guides;
Position may require knowledge of basic principles and methods of a technical or professional field.
Math Skills
Basic math skills.
Word Processing/Typing
Intermediate skills in use of applicable Microsoft Office Word.
PC Skills
Intermediate skills in the use of applicable Microsoft Office Suite software;
Intermediate skills in the use of agency specific software applications.
Communication
Ability to communicate well through written and oral means.
Information Abilities
Ability to gather, integrate, and analyze simple data.
Interpersonal Abilities
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with both external and internal contacts.
Purchasing and Accounting
Ability to perform data entry into Purchasing/Logistics Enterprise Resource Planning systems and/or Financial Enterprise Resource Planning systems in at least five functions.
Personnel and Payroll
Ability to perform complex Human Capital Management Enterprise Resource Planning system functions (e.g., establish a position, create a PCF, determine cost center codes, etc.).
Executive Assistance
Ability to maintain confidentiality and be sensitive to political issues.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to high school graduation and three years of experience providing administrative support in the assigned functional area(s).

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Additional Work Schedule Requirements: For special assignments/deadlines, alternate/flex schedule or comp time may be required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate‘s degree or higher.
• Experience with and basic knowledge of HR practices (payroll, personnel assignment changes, recruiting, etc.)
• Excellent skills and abilities working in a team environment.
• Previous experience working with an HR reporting and payroll system (i.e. SAP, FOCUS, Oracle).
• Experience utilizing a Human Resources Information System (HRIS) in a professional setting.
• Experience with and ability to efficiently prioritize workload and adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Proven ability to adapt to rapid changes in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience gathering and analyzing data to generate reports.
• Experience using word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software to prepare documents, store, track, manipulate, and analyze information.
• Experience providing customer service in an office setting.
• Experience handling confidential information and communications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is generally sedentary in nature; however, incumbent may be required to do some standing, walking, bending and carrying of items up to 25 pounds. Must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Sufficiently mobile to attend meetings at various locations and make presentations to county staff and community. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact for assistance. TTY . . EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-LD1

---