STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Office Assistant

Recruitment #260202-7086CL-001

Introduction


The State of Connecticut, Secretary of the State (SOTS) is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Office Assistant to support the Management and Support Services Division. This position provides essential clerical and operational support, helping ensure the smooth functioning of the office while contributing to the delivery of accurate information to hundreds of thousands of residents annually.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
  • View our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
  • Opportunities to invest in your professional growth and development with training programs, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities for advancement within the State of Connecticut.
  • Connecticut is a strong community with a lot to offer in entertainment, food and shopping, recreation in our beautiful state parks and forests, diverse culture, and rich history. Learn more about all Connecticut has to offer.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Full-Time, 40 hours per week
  • Monday through Friday
  • Location: Hartford, CT
  • Hybrid (office/telework) may be available
THIS JOB IS FOR YOU IF
  • You enjoy keeping an office organized and take pride in accurately managing records, reports, and clerical tasks. 
  • You like working independently, managing multiple responsibilities, and meeting deadlines. 
  • You are comfortable using computers, office software, and other equipment to complete tasks efficiently. 
  • You enjoy helping others – whether colleagues, supervisors, or the public – and providing clear, professional support. 
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
  • Compile, generate, and maintain recurring operational and statistical reports, ensuring data accuracy and consistency, and track trends to support informed decision-making;
  • Manage and prioritize a variety of clerical tasks using computerized systems, maintaining accurate records and meeting strict deadlines;
  • Coordinate with multiple internal units to facilitate workflow, gather necessary information, and ensure timely completion of assigned tasks;
  • Support office financial and processing functions, including reviewing invoices, maintaining supporting documentation, and tracking basic costs;
  • Provide backup support for mailroom operations, including sorting, distributing, and processing incoming and outgoing correspondence and materials;
  • Assist with general clerical functions such as filing, data entry, scheduling, and preparing correspondence, while applying attention to detail and established procedures.
ABOUT US
Through the dedication of knowledgeable staff and advanced technology, the Office of the Secretary of the State works as a team to provide a wide range of services for the people and businesses of Connecticut. We are a repository of records for the State and provide important information and resources regarding business and commercial filings, elections, and authentication as prescribed by the constitution, and federal and state laws. We seek to bolster business development opportunities, and foster a more inclusive political process by educating, informing and engaging communities in youth and civic preparation.

Selection Plan

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY
  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the Office of the Secretary of the State for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing Emily.Kennedy@ct.gov.
  • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting. 
AFTER YOU APPLY
  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, but your application may be considered for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics
CONNECT WITH US
  • Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. 
  • If you have any questions about this recruitment, please contact Emily Kennedy at Emily.Kennedy@ct.gov.  
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn to stay updated on our career opportunities and news.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of general clerical functions or for carrying out responsibility for the flow and completion of clerical work in an assigned area.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs the full range of general clerical duties as described in the following areas:

  • TYPING:
    • Types a variety of materials in relation to other duties or as assigned;
    • Enters and retrieves data on computers, tablets, and other electronic equipment.
  • FILING:
    • Sets up and maintains office procedures, filing and indexing systems and forms for own use.
  • CORRESPONDENCE:
    • Composes routine correspondence.
  • REPORT WRITING:
    • Compiles and generates recurrent technical, statistical or financial reports requiring judgment in the selection and presentation of data (format).
  • INTERPERSONAL:
    • Provides general information and referral services in response to citizen complaints or questions regarding an agency's services or authority;
    • Responds to inquiries from other work units or departments/agencies;
    • Applies agency policies and state statutes and regulations in determining case status or responding to requests for procedural assistance;
    • May lead lower level employees in carrying out assigned clerical functions.
  • PROCESSING:
    • Maintains calendars of due dates and initiates recurring work or special clerical projects accordingly;
    • Processes a variety of documents in determining routine case status;
    • Exercises discretion in choosing appropriate follow through procedures within defined guidelines including assembling and reviewing incoming materials for accuracy, completeness and conformance to established guidelines and agency policy and procedures, verifying information through use of internal resources and contacts with sender and other work units and soliciting additional information as required by correspondence;
    • Processes purchase requisitions/purchase orders for subsequent action;
    • Prepares payment lists and billing invoices;
    • Receives shipments of materials and matches/verifies shipment or billing invoices against original purchase orders;
    • Maintains files, journals or account ledgers by posting credits, expenditures, interest, etc.;
    • Figures payments, costs, discounts and adjustments using prescribed methods and formulas;
    • Receives monies in various forms such as cash, checks and money orders and prepares for deposit;
    • Maintains inventory and orders supplies;
    • Uses a variety of electronic equipment to perform job functions.
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of office systems and procedures including proper telephone usage and filing;
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
    • performing arithmetical computations;
  • Ability to
    • perform a full range of clerical tasks;
    • operate office equipment which includes computers, tablets, and other electronic equipment;
    • operate office suite software;
    • schedule and prioritize workflow;
    • read and interpret complex instructions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of general clerical work experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one/half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience compiling recurring operational and/or statistical reports, tracking service metrics, and presenting trend information with accuracy and consistency. 
  • Experience managing and reprioritizing workload using computerized systems to maintain accurate records and meet time-sensitive deadlines. 
  • Experience coordinating projects or tasks with multiple internal units. 
  • Experience supporting office financial and processing tasks including tracking costs, coordinating invoices, and reviewing of supporting documentation for accuracy. 
  • Experience coordinating the confidential receipt, processing and distribution of correspondence. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Persons having responsibility for supervising or observing the behavior of inmates or custodial individuals will be required to possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification by the time of permanent appointment.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, disability, age, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, LGBTQ identification, family status, or military status. Women, people of color, veterans, persons with disabilities and other members of traditionally underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.


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