Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$25.34 - $31.03 Hourly

Department:

Department of Community Services (DCS)

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

August 18, 2024

The Opportunity:

*only apply for this position once*

OVERVIEW

This Work Matters!

In the Department of Community Services at Multnomah County, we look for people who can grow, think, lead, and inspire. We have a culture that thrives on diversity and rewards commitment to public service. We seek leaders, achievers, and doers who bring skill and passion to a challenging and evolving environment.

We are excited to announce that our Animal Services division is currently looking for experienced and self-motivated team players to fill two (2) full-time Office Assistant Senior positions at its shelter located in Troutdale, Oregon. Our shelter staff work seven (7) days per week between the hours of 6:30 AM and 6:00 PM.

This is not your typical office assistant role. Our Client Services team is the face of the county's animal shelter, and we assist a variety of Multnomah County's residents from diverse populations. As part of our team, you will help clients resolve issues around lost and found pets, pet licensing, animal nuisance complaints, animal cruelty and neglect, and taking in stray animals from the public. To be successful in this role, you must feel comfortable providing customer service in person, on the phone, and via email, as well as performing administrative duties to support service delivery to Animal Services staff and clients. You will be quick on your feet when it comes to problem-solving, using your excellent verbal communication and de-escalation skills, sometimes in challenging and difficult settings.

Animal Services is transforming its operations and approach to an equitable service model that focuses on under-resourced communities and removing barriers to pet adoptions or other placements. As part of this transformation, an Office Assistant Senior must be open to understanding culturally responsive practices and working with other Animal Services staff to implement changes in our operations.

Specifically, we are looking for someone who:

• Has the ability to promote a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values.
• Provides a high level of professional customer service and performs duties while working effectively in a fast paced and sometimes stressful environment.
• Has the ability to communicate in a friendly, open, and respectful manner in person, over the telephone, and via email.
• Displays excellent writing skills with a knack for accurately articulating a plan of action depending on incoming phone requests.
• Serves as the initial point of contact, both in person and over the phone, for a wide variety of animal related issues and disputes, such as bite investigations, cruelty/neglect cases, animal trespass, and loose, aggressive dogs.
• Keeps information confidential regarding animal complaints, counseling angry or upset people, determining emergency situations, giving advice regarding animal problems, and interpreting and communicating complex laws, county ordinances, and shelter policies to the public.
• Performs a wide variety of clerical and general administrative work including processing licensing information for all animals in the County (data entry), filing, processing of mail, typing and processing various forms, processing cash receipts and cash handling.
• Has the ability to work calmly under pressure, demonstrating the ability to think clearly and quickly while mastering multiple tasks.
• Is able to practice active and empathetic listening skills while being an excellent communicator.
• Is able to work cooperatively and develop effective working relationships with diverse work groups and the general public, including the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.

Who we are:
Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) has been recognized as one of the top performing shelters in the country for implementing innovative, progressive lifesaving programs for shelter animals and creating a safe, livable community for people and animals. We are the only open door shelter in Portland and the primary agency responsible for lost pet care, animal abuse investigation, and animal rescue in Multnomah County. We also offer dog and cat licensing, lost and found pet services, and animal adoptions through our shelter in Troutdale, Oregon.

What we can offer you:
Imagine working to better the lives of people and animals, finding forever homes for animals, helping rid the community of inhumane animal treatment, developing your skills, and building a successful career. With us, you will be challenged. You will be encouraged to excel. You will be given the opportunity to build a rewarding career. And you will be proud to be a part of the Multnomah County Animal Services team, dedicated to providing top-notch services to the community.

At Multnomah County we are committed to maintaining an effective, respectful and inclusive workplace. We value collaborative problem solving and strive for continuous improvement. We strongly believe in workforce equity, diversity and inclusion. Visit our Workforce Equity Strategies Plan (WESP) to see where Multnomah County is headed with these values.

TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade; AND
• Three (3) years of customer service experience dealing directly with the public

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in de-escalating and resolving difficult situations while ensuring excellent customer service.
• Extensive years of customer service experience dealing directly with the public.
• At least one (1) year of general office support or data entry experience.
• At least one (1) year of call center experience.

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The Application Packet:
Please be sure to provide all the materials below in your application submission:

• Online application: Explain all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in the education and work experience sections of the application.
• Attach a resume: Please indicate how you meet the required minimum qualifications. Attach the PDF document to the on-line application. Be sure to explain in detail, including dates, all related work experience, paid or unpaid.
• A cover letter (optional): This should expand on your resume, address why you are interested in this position and demonstrate how your experience and skill set align with the minimum and preferred qualifications listed.

Note: The application, resume, and cover letter should clearly demonstrate your work experience/skills and how they relate to the descriptions provided in the ‘Overview’ and ‘To Qualify’ sections of this job posting. Please be thorough, as these materials will be used to determine your eligibility for an interview.

Internal candidates: After you have applied, you will receive the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire in your Workday inbox. Your application as an internal candidate is not complete until you fill out and submit the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• Evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates, which may include phone interviews, panel interviews, and/or additional testing
• Professional reference checks

Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Type of Position: This hourly, union-represented position is eligible for overtime.

Schedule: Sunday - Wednesday OR Wednesday - Saturday. 10 hour shift.

Location: Multnomah County Animal Shelter, 1700 W Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060.

Note* This recruitment will be used to fill any current and future full-time, part-time, on-call, temporary and limited duration positions while the eligible for hire list is active.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters
Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

Equal Pay Law:
Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Ann Chan

Email:

ann.chan@multco.us

Phone:

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

6002 - Office Assistant Senior