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Job Description
SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW
South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the Nation. We serve a four-county region that includes large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley, which is home to more than 17 million people. South Coast AQMD's headquarters is located in Diamond Bar, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, at the junction of the 57 and 60 freeways. With a highly diverse "Clean Air Team" of over 850 employees, an annual budget of $211.4 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthy environment. South Coast AQMD is an organization you can be proud to work for -- we make a difference in the quality of life in Southern California!
South Coast AQMD’s mission requires diverse perspectives, talents, and life experiences to solve some of the most complex technical air quality issues. We are committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that appreciates the unique contributions of our employees and fosters professional development and growth. South Coast AQMD respects the distinct ideas and perspectives of our stakeholders and works to bring them together toward the common goal of clean air.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Application packets and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire will be carefully reviewed, and only those candidates with the most competitive and/or directly transferable experience will be invited to the next step in the process, which is expected to be performance-based computer skills testing, including basic Microsoft Word and intermediate Microsoft Excel skills tests.
Following the computer skills tests, the most competitive candidates will be invited to a multiple-choice examination. Performance in the above testing processes is expected to result in a ranked eligible list, from which current and future vacancies may be filled, during the 6-12 month life of the list. Please note : All testing is expected to be conducted remotely.
Only those who demonstrate at each successive step of the selection process that they are among the most competitively qualified will be advanced to the next step. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to future steps in the process.
South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, or modify any elements of the selection process as deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step. Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must call the Human Resources Department at least one week prior to any test dates.
Important note for potential candidates who do not have the continued and unrestricted right to work full time in the United States: If you currently, or will in the future, require sponsorship (i.e., H1-B Visa) in order to maintain your right to work in the United States, please be aware that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Senior Office Assistant is the lead-worker or advanced journey-level class in the Office Assistant series. Under general supervision, a Senior Office Assistant assigns, coordinates, reviews and participates in a variety of office assistance and clerical support duties; and/or performs specialized, complex office assistant duties and clerical support duties of above-average difficulty; operates automated office equipment; and does other work as required.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Assigns, reviews, participates in, and coordinates the activities of a unit engaged in performing general or specialized office support work; monitors the workload and prioritizes assignments to ensure the timely completion of work; compiles unit statistical production reports maintained by staff for supervisory review; may coordinate the flow of work with other units.
Trains and instructs new employees on operational procedures and divisional rules, regulations, and procedures; provides technical guidance on difficult work problems by explaining the application of operational procedures specific to the situation.
Reviews the work of staff to ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to instructions and prescribed work methods, and counsels staff on work assignments; meets with supervisory staff to provide information, and discuss reassignment of staff and work performance problems; prepares draft performance evaluations.
Performs specialized complex and responsible office support work requiring the review and analysis of a variety of information sources; performs extensive searches of records, files, reports, and/or computerized databases and recordkeeping systems, and abstracts information not readily available; summarizes and interprets data to prepare narrative or statistical reports.
Responds to a variety of inquiries, requests, or complaints; identifies, analyzes, and prepares appropriate recommendations, and initiates corrective measures to resolve problems; provides information that requires referencing a number of sources and the explanation of detailed rules, regulations, and procedures to South Coast AQMD staff and the public; handles difficult situations and sensitive requests for information by South Coast AQMD personnel or external agency representatives; may screen and route incoming telephone calls.
Reviews documents, files, applications, and records for form and content, and to ensure compliance with established operational policies and procedures; performs arithmetical calculations to compile statistical reports; may calculate and prepare special billings, reinstatement fees, and prorations for billing cycle changes.
Types letters, reports, charts, case records, and similar documents using word processing equipment or a typewriter from rough drafts, marginal notes, machine transcriptions, or general instructions; gathers and assembles information from a variety of sources, and arranges materials in proper format; proofreads finished copy to ensure standards for accuracy, completeness, and format; composes correspondence requiring the exercise of independent judgment in the selection of information or data necessary to formulate a reply.
Establishes alphabetical, numerical, chronological, and/or subject matter filing systems; prepares, arranges, indexes, and cross-references files, as needed; updates and organizes files to determine the appropriateness of revising, deleting, or purging information; maintains a variety of records, logs, rosters, and registers; may prepare statistical and other types of reports; may review office supplies and requisition forms, and prepares supply requests based on anticipated needs.
MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to the Minimum Qualifications that follow, the most competitive candidates will possess:- At least three years of journey-level experience, performing a variety of clerical support duties.
- Experience working for a government agency or public organization.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Experience providing clerical support to a large staff, reporting to multiple supervisors.
- Experience working in a fast-paced department, juggling competing priorities and deadlines.
- Strong data entry experience and skills.
- Experience updating/maintaining web pages is a plus.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
SKILL: Type 30 net words per minute. (Please click here to review typing certificate requirements. Your typing certificate must be attached to the application .)
EITHER I-
EXPERIENCE: One year as an Office Assistant.
-OR II-
EXPERIENCE: Two years performing a variety of journey-level clerical duties.
SUBSTITUTION: Completion of 18 semester (27 quarter) units from an accredited college or university in secretarial sciences, office practices, business education, or a closely related field, or completion of 360 hours of training from a recognized occupational training program in any of the above-listed fields may substitute for up to one year of the experience required under Option II.
KNOWLEDGE OF: Modern office and record-keeping practices, including alphabetical, numerical, chronological, and subject matter filing procedures; correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation to prepare correspondence and proofread finished copy; use and maintenance of computerized databases; computers and other automated equipment for data entry and word processing purposes, and well as other office equipment, including calculators, scanners, photocopiers and printers.
ABILITY TO: Train and review the work of other staff; explain and apply South Coast AQMD rules, regulations, policies, and procedures specific to the area of assignment; effectively communicate detailed and complex rules, regulations, and clerical procedures to the public and South Coast AQMD employees; sort, classify, compile, and verify data; review and proofread documents for accuracy and completeness; maintain logs and records, including computerized filing systems and databases; make accurate arithmetical computations; operate a variety of standard and automated office machines; understand and follow oral and written instructions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with South Coast AQMD personnel and others contacted in the course of work.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
APPLICATION PACKETS MUST INCLUDE:
A typing certificate (a 5-minute test is required). The typing certificate must be attached to the application. Please click here to review typing certificate requirements. A completed employment application covering at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience), and your entire South Coast AQMD employment history if you are a South Coast AQMD employee.Up to four references which include the names and phone numbers of your present and past supervisors or managers, and/or college professors or persons for whom you have directly provided services, not peers .Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). The SQ is a form of written test, and will be evaluated as such. Your responses should be well written, clear, concise, and directly responsive to the question.If you claim education on your application, an unofficial copy of your transcripts, documenting all qualifying education and/or occupational training claimed, must be submitted as an attachment to your online application.
Job applications must be completely filled out. A resume cannot be substituted for the required information. Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant coursework that would make you a particularly strong candidate.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800.
OFFICE CLERICAL & MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OVERVIEW
BENEFIT
DESCRIPTION
Monthly Benefit Allotment
$1,912.00, to purchase medical, dental, and life insurance, with unused portion paid to you as cash. Insurance coverage becomes effective on the first of themonth following completion of 30 days of continuous service. Dependent children may be covered to age 26 on medical, dental and vision plans.
Medical Health Plans
Blue Shield PPO
Blue Shield PPO Savings Plus 2250 (High Deductible Plan)
Blue Shield HMO
Kaiser HMO
Kaiser HSA HMO 1500 (High Deductible Plan)
Dental Plans
Delta Dental PPO (without orthodontic benefits)
Delta Dental PPO (with orthodontic benefits for children only)
DeltaCare (PMI) Dental
Vision Plan
EyeMed - Optional
Life Insurance
$10,000 Term Life Insurance
(Optional additional life insurance, paid by you, at 1X, 2X, or 3X your salary)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Claremont EAP, powered by Uprise Health. EAP benefits are available to all employees and their families at no cost to you. EAP offers confidential advice, support and practical solutions to real-life issues. Services available: confidential therapy, 24-hour crisis help and online peer support groups.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Optional
Section 125
Optional Plans (Medical Reimbursement; Dependent Care)
Work Schedule
Four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday
Vacation
80 hours per year, increasing to 120 after five years
Holidays
13 paid holidays per year
Sick Leave
100 hours per year
Other Leaves
Bereavement; Jury Duty; Military; Witness
Tuition Reimbursement
Reimbursed up to $5,000 per year
Deferred Compensation (457 Plan)
Optional (Employee may contribute up to the IRS maximum). South Coast AQMD matches, dollar for dollar up to $300 per year for the regular plan.
Retirement
2.5% @ 67 defined benefit plan - Applies to employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who, at time of hire, were not members of the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA) or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.
2.0% @ 55 defined benefit plan - Applies to employees who, prior to January 1, 2013, were active members of SBCERA or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.
Employees pay only the Medicare portion of Social Security.
01/01/2024
Closing Date/Time: 2/28/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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South Coast Air Quality Management District
Show moreSouth Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the nation. We serve a four-county region that includes all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, home to more than 17 million people. South Coast AQMD's headquarters is located in Diamond Bar, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, at the junction of the 57 and 60 freeways. With a highly diverse "Clean Air Team" of over 750 employees, an annual budget of $170.9 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthful environment.
Mission
To clean the air and protect the health of all residents in the South Coast Air District through practical and innovative strategies.
What is the South Coast AQMD?
South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. The region is home to more than 17 million people–about half the population of the entire state of California.
Despite significant improvements to air quality, more work needs to be done to protect public health through innovative and practical strategies. Air pollution can cause or worsen many health problems, including asthma attacks, heart disease, certain types of cancers and premature death. South Coast AQMD has been at the forefront of the nation’s air pollution reduction efforts for more than eight decades.
What South Coast AQMD Does
South Coast AQMD is responsible for controlling emissions primarily from stationary sources of air pollution. These can include anything from large power plants and refineries to the corner gas station. There are about 28,400 such businesses operating under South Coast AQMD permits. Many consumer products are also considered stationary sources; these include house paint, furniture varnish, and thousands of products containing solvents that evaporate into the air. About 25% of this area's ozone-forming air pollution comes from stationary sources, both businesses and residences. The other 80% comes from mobile sources–mainly cars, trucks and buses, but also construction equipment, ships, trains and airplanes. Emission standards for mobile sources are established by state or federal agencies, such as the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, rather than by local agencies such as the South Coast AQMD.
How South Coast AQMD Controls Pollution
South Coast AQMD develops and adopts an Air Quality Management Plan, which serves as the blueprint to bring this area into compliance with federal and state clean air standards. Rules are adopted to reduce emissions from various sources, including specific types of equipment, industrial processes, paints and solvents, even consumer products. Permits are issued to many businesses and industries to ensure compliance with air quality rules. South Coast AQMD staff conducts periodic inspections to ensure compliance with these requirements.
The test of whether these efforts are working is the quality of the air we breathe. South Coast AQMD continuously monitors air quality at 38 locations throughout the four-county area. This also allows South Coast AQMD to notify the public whenever air quality is unhealthful.
South Coast AQMD’s Sources of Revenue
To meet its financial need, the South Coast AQMD utilizes a system of evaluation fees, annual operating fees, emission fees, Hearing Board fees, penalties/ settlements and investments that generate approximately 73% of South Coast AQMD’s revenue. The remaining 27% of its revenue is from federal grants, California Air Resources (CARB) subvention funds, and California Clean Air Act Motor Vehicle fees.
Progress So Far
Air quality in this area has continually improved despite an enormous increase in population and cars. For example, maximum levels of ozone, one of our worst smog problems, have been cut to less than one quarter of what they were in the 1950s, even though today we have nearly three times as many people and four times as many vehicles.
In recent decades, we have eliminated Stage I smog alerts, which used to occur 100-120 times a year. We have not reached Stage II levels since the 1980s.
The Job Ahead
The clean air effort still has a long way to go. In 2005, the federal 1-hour standard was replaced by a stricter 8-hours standard that was further strengthened in 2008. Even though recent years have been the cleanest on record, our air in the South Coast Air Basin still exceeded the federal health 8-hour standard for ozone on 113 days in 2009. Maximum levels are almost twice as high as the federal standard for clean air.
State and federal law requires this area to meet existing clean air standards by the year 2015 for annual PM 2.5; and by 2023 for the 8-hour average ozone standard. However, tougher federal air quality standards for particulates and ozone issued in 2006 and 2008 require reductions above and beyond those already planned. South Coast AQMD estimates it will take until at least 2020 to meet the new 24-hour average particulate standard, and until 2030 to meet the new ozone standard. This may seem like a long time to continue to live with smog. But the cleanup effort is enormous. Even though we already have the strictest pollution control requirements in the nation, we still have to reduce some types of pollution by up to 90% if we are to rid the area of smog.
The war on smog began in this region more than a half century ago. With continued commitment and sensitivity to the impacts of efforts to control smog, residents can be assured that public health standards for air quality will be achieved.
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