Administrative Assistant

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Watauga, TX

12d • $2,694 - $3,405 • Onsite

About The Position

The Administrative Assistant provides administrative support to a Child Protective Investigations (CPI) Night Response Unit supervisor and staff. The role interacts routinely with DFPS staff and the general public and includes working late evenings or nights and weekends. The position is based in Watauga, Texas, and is not eligible for telework. Travel may be required up to 25%. Administrative Assistants may also assist DFPS caseworkers with supervision of children without placement, primarily children ages 10 to 17, helping monitor them and ensure their safety and needs—such as food, hygiene, education, and recreation—are met while they are at an office or community location. This may require working outside the normal schedule; overtime compensation may be earned. Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver’s record check.

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• One year of full-time administrative support, general office, clerical, secretarial, or DFPS experience. Thirty semester hours from an accredited college or university may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
• Knowledge of office practices and administrative procedures.
• Skill using Microsoft Works or a Windows environment.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and in verbal and written communication.
• Skill working in an office supporting several staff members.
• Ability to interact with all levels of staff, work independently in a fast-paced environment, and handle multiple assignments in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and various software packages at an advanced level.
• Ability to work with confidential information and operate basic office equipment such as fax, copying, and adding machines.
• Ability to work late evenings or nights and weekends as required for the CPI Night Response Unit.
• Selected applicants must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver’s record check.

Responsibilities

• Answer and screen telephone inquiries, take and route messages, and record intake information for referral to caseworkers.
• Greet visitors, respond to general questions, and direct callers to the appropriate location.
• Prepare correspondence, forms, narratives, travel vouchers, meeting notes, performance evaluations, and other unit-support documents.
• Assist staff with office processes and operations, troubleshoot office software and equipment problems, and help duplicate and transmit materials using copy and fax machines.
• Sort and route mail.
• Prepare time-and-leave forms and arrange and process reimbursement for travel.
• Assist with training activities as needed and provide backup for other unit administrative assistants.
• Maintain a system for progress updates and develop and maintain forms, case files, and reports.
• Enter data into IMPACT and other electronic programs and systems.
• Provide program and agency information and refer people to community resources when appropriate.
• Attend work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy, perform other assigned duties, and demonstrate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and work-related contacts.
• When needed, assist DFPS caseworkers in monitoring children without placement and ensuring their safety and needs are met during stays at office or community locations.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for the employee and 50% paid for eligible family members.
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save through 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance at rates described as lower than most private plans.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.
• Employee discounts on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Overtime compensation may be earned when work outside the normal schedule is required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED