Title Description- Office Associate I is the entry level in the occupational group for Office Associates. Employees perform general office work that follows well defined methods and procedures. Employees work in a variety of environments and may work individually or in combination with other employees. Employees are responsible for performing the basic office support duties following the Local DSS office’s administrative policies, practices, and procedures and working under close supervision. This level is distinguished from the Office Associate II by the basic and developmental nature of the duties performed by positions, and the latter’s performance of more intermediate duties which require knowledge and application of organizational policies, rules, and procedures. 
 
 General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only)- 

• Answers phones and routes calls to appropriate staff;
• Greets visitors, routes individuals to appropriate staff;
• Sorts and files alphabetically, numerically, or by other established method;
• Maintains and purges files and other records;
• Copies and distributes documents;
• Opens, sorts, date-stamps and distributes mail;
• Types correspondence, memos, reports and or forms from written source documents;
• Updates manual or other publications; and
• Uses computers and office equipment in performance of typical duties.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 
 Knowledge- Working knowledge of: spelling, grammar, punctuation; basic arithmetic; and typical office software. Some knowledge of: office etiquette, office methods and procedures.
 Skills- Skill in: operating office machines including personal computers. Basic keyboarding skill is required.
 Abilities- Demonstrated ability to: work well with others; perform basic mathematics, follow oral and written instructions; communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and perform a variety of office support tasks; read, write legibly and listen; follow instructions; file alphabetically and numerically; and work well with co-workers and public.
 Education and Experience- High school diploma supplemented with basic clerical experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.