Office Assistant

Job Description:

Office Assistant

Description

Position Description

Please read the full job announcement for complete information regarding this posting. Once the job announcement closes, those who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take the online assessment.

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, an Office Assistant performs a variety of routine and moderately complex clerical duties such as processing documents and records, extracting and compiling records or data, responding to routine inquiries concerning departmental services and procedures, maintaining and monitoring established record keeping, filing, and data base systems, as well as producing forms, letters, record entries and other material. Positions typically perform data retrieval, verification and modification using various computer applications. Some positions may require individuals who are experienced with call management and require a high volume of call routing.

The City of Tacoma is committed to fostering a workplace that is innovative and flexible, and which attracts, supports, and retains a diverse and talented workforce. Telework arrangements may be available, depending on the position and needs of the City.

An Immediate Office Assistant Opportunity - Remote Location
Tacoma Power's Cushman Hydro Project in Hoodsport, Washington is accepting applications to fill an Office Assistant vacancy. This position requires candidates to live within commuting distance of Hoodsport, WA; and occasional travel within a 30-mile radius may be required. The Cushman Hydro Project provides clean, renewable electricity with two dams and three powerhouses on the North Fork Skokomish River. ( NOTE : Please checkmark "Report to remote location: Cushman" for Supplemental Question #6. )

Qualifications

High school graduate or equivalent and one year of clerical experience.

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer's responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Knowledge & Skills

• Modern office practices, methods and procedures such as word processing, managing files and records, and other office procedures and terminology
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Ability to learn general departmental services and operations
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious work relationships with co-workers and the general public
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions
• Ability to solve problems and exercise sound judgment when initiating processes, actions, and alternatives within established procedures, policy, and local practice
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Ability to use a computer application to accurately enter text, insert pictures, format, edit, printing, save and retrieve word processing documents
• Ability to use a computer application to accurately enter, manipulate and format text and numerical data, insert, delete and manipulate cells, rows and columns, and create and save worksheets, charts and graphs
• Ability to use a computer application to manage large amounts of information, including creating and editing simple databases, inputting data, retrieving specific records, and creating reports to communicate the information
• Ability to navigate the internet to find information, including the ability to open and configure standard browsers and use searches
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including adding machines, printers, multi-line phone systems and copy machines
• Communicate information effectively to internal and external customers face-to-face, on the telephone, by electronic mail, and through written correspondence
• Maintain confidentiality of restricted information

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

A Commitment to Equity & Diversity
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.
The Community
Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI
To Apply
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter describing their responsibilities as it relates to the responsibilities of this position.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take an online assessment covering Microsoft Suite 2019 basic and intermediate questions, along with office assistant-level skill-based supplemental questions, as the required Experience & Training (E&T) test. Applicants must receive a passing score (70% or better) to be placed on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration. The eligibility list established for this recruitment is good for one year. Applicants selected to interview may be required to complete a work problem or an office skills assessment.

Get Assistance
For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at 253-591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. on the closing date. This will allow HR staff to assist you before the job announcement closes.
For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Communication from the City of Tacoma
( NOTE : For questions regarding this specific recruitment contact Kat Flores , HR Analyst.)
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $28.44 - $34.57

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 6/29/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$28.44 - $34.57 Hourly