Secretary I (Word Processing) - HELPS PROGRAM*

Located in the Westchester Community College – Various Locations: Under general supervision, an incumbent of this position performs secretarial and word-processing services, relieving superiors of administrative details. This class regularly exercises independent judgment based on knowledge of county and/or department operations, policies and procedure to determine priority of work, channel work to appropriate staff members, monitor progress of work, meet deadlines and accomplish work with minimal supervision. This level is distinguished from Office Assistant (Word Processing) in that incumbents work as an administrative secretary and office manager, performing a wide variety of tasks that vary based on departmental assignment. This level differs from Secretary II by assignment to senior level managers, below the Deputy Commissioner level, where responsibilities are typically limited to a significant division, section or segment of a county department. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate office support staff. Does related work as required.

*THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE HAS DEVELOPED A HIRING PROGRAM THAT STREAMLINES THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS TO ALLOW AGENCIES TO HIRE DIVERSE, QUALIFIED PERMANENT EMPLOYEES QUICKLY AND WITHOUT EXAMINATIONS. EMPLOYEES HIRED UNDER THE HELP PROGRAM WILL BE APPOINTED ON A PERMANENT BASIS. THE HIRING FOR EMERGENCY LIMITED PLACEMENT (HELP) PROGRAM TEMPORARILY REMOVES THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAM REQUIREMENT FOR THIS TITLE.

Possession of a high school or equivalency diploma and either:

(a) four years of experience where the primary function of the position was the performance of clerical functions, two years of which involved the use of word processing and other automated systems; or

(b) graduation from an approved secretarial or business school* and three years experience as stated in (a), which must include the two years of specialized experience.

Satisfactory completion of 30 credits* at a recognized college or university, or its equivalent in course hours from an approved institution or office software manufacturer (i.e. Microsoft), may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to two years of the above general experience. There is no substitution for the specialized word processing experience.

1. Data entry experience may not be substituted for the required word processing experience.
2. The number of years of experience required in the minimum qualifications is based upon the presumption of full-time employment. Part-time experience will be prorated based on a 35 hour workweek.
3. Verified and documented volunteer (unpaid) experience will only be credited when specifically allowed by the job description or examination announcement.

Education beyond the secondary level must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.