Office Specialist - Receptionist

Are you a dependable and organized professional who thrives in a dynamic environment? We are looking for an Office Specialist to perform receptionist and administrative support duties at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility. In this vital role, you will greet visitors, answer and direct calls, manage mail, assist with applicant interviews, and ensure seamless office operations. You'll also handle tasks such as processing youth-related transactions, supporting new staff orientations, and running errands as needed.

This role requires excellent communication, problem-solving skills, and a strong sense of empathy to interact effectively with diverse individuals, including families, staff, and youth. If you value professionalism, enjoy being at the heart of a collaborative team, and are ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

Additional Information:

• Shift Information: Monday - Friday; 8 hour shifts with start time between 7:30 a.m.-8:00 a.m.

Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range based on your experience, skills and education. For more information on pay equity, click here.

The salary range listed is the non-PERS participating rate. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.

This position receives annual increases on anniversary date until the maximum of the salary range is reached.

Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.

• We may use this recruitment to fill future vacancies.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule:

• 1st Round Interviews scheduled for December 18, 2024 (in-person interview)

ABOUT OYA

At OYA, diversity, equity, and inclusion are more than just words on a page. To meet our mission and live our values as an agency, DEI must be at the heart of all we do. We support cultural competence, develop teams and cultivate leaders in ways that are equitable to everyone, especially people of color, those who identify as LGBTQ+, or those from other marginalized communities. We are explicit and intentional as we identify resources that all our youth and staff need to grow and prosper. Our DEI work connects closely with our culture of positive human development, with safe and supportive environments where everyone is held accountable and connected to their community. The end goal is to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth accountable and providing opportunities for reformation in safe environments.

If you are looking to join a team that values individual and cultural differences, with the opportunity to contribute to youth reformation by enriching our workforce with diversity, OYA wants to hear from you!  People of color, women, and other members of historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply!

For more information please visit www.oregon.gov/oya.

**Would you like to learn more about this position and OYA? Join us on Wednesday, December 4 between 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. for OYA Career Chats.

Click Here to Register for OYA Career Chats!

What's in it for You?
OYA values our employees. We believe that your time outside of the workplace is as valuable as it is inside the workplace. We offer a great work/life balance with flexible work schedules on most positions and a competitive benefits package, including low-cost, high-coverage health insurance, generous time-off, and a competitive retirement plan.

Discover more about working in Oregon state government by clicking here.

This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU/OPEU). By joining and maintaining your membership with SEIU Local 503, the following benefits are available to you such as:

• $2,500 life insurance policy paid for by your union, SEIU Local 503. This policy is in effect if you are an active member.
• Up to $200,000 of additional life insurance can be purchased. Up to $100,000 member life, $40,000 spouse and $10,000 child is guaranteed within the first 90 days of new union membership.
• Short Term Disability insurance is guaranteed if purchased within the first 90 days of new union membership.
• Legal insurance enrollment is available to purchase within the first 90 days of new union membership.
• Tuition reimbursement.

For more information on SEIU, please click here.

What You Need To Qualify:

• Two years of general clerical experience that includes keyboarding, word processing, or other experience generating documents; OR

• An associate degree in any field; OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES/APPLICATION SCORING CRITERIA: If you have these qualities, let us know! It’s how we will choose whom to move forward!

Note: You do not need to have all of these qualities to be eligible for this position.

• Professionalism: Demonstrates a high standard of behavior, integrity, and accountability in all interactions.
• Excellent Communication Skills: Able to clearly and effectively convey information verbally and in writing to diverse audiences.
• Organizational Ability: Capable of managing multiple tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and maintaining attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Proficient in identifying issues, analyzing information, and implementing practical solutions.
• Empathy: Displays a compassionate and understanding approach when working with others, fostering a positive and respectful environment.

How to apply: 

• Ensure your application and/or resume thoroughly reflect your skills, experience (both lived and professional), knowledge, and/or education pertinent to this position, including how you meet the minimum qualifications and any/all desired attributes.
• Submit a comprehensive application or upload a detailed resume, including dates of employment and descriptions of duties/responsibilities for each position.
• COVER LETTER REQUIRED: Describe how you meet the desired attributes above.
• Following the submission of your application, promptly respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. If you're an employee, these tasks will be in your Workday inbox.
• Veterans may receive preference; indicate your veteran status if applicable.  Click here for more information about veterans’ preference.

Environment you will be working in:

• MacLaren is a tobacco free environment.
• Daily/weekly deadlines; heavy workload; use of computers, printers, fax machines and copiers; and noise from equipment such as computers, printers, and copiers. etc.
• Daily contact with youth offenders who exhibit hostile, assaultive behavior.  This position is located in a close custody facility which requires, as a primary responsibility, strict adherence by each employee to security measures at all times to assure the custody, control, and supervision of youth.  May be subject to a hostage situation.
• Staff is expected to be a positive example and role model for other staff and youth.  The staff is to be supportive toward OYA, MacLaren YCF policies and procedures.  Being a positive role model includes but is not limited to: reliability, dependability, regular and punctual attendance in order to provide consistent services and provide public safety, neat person appearance, treating all humans with respect, and being a law-abiding citizen.
• All OYA employees are expected to work using practices and to follow all policies regarding safe work practices.

More Information:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we are here to serve. OYA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be individualized based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical​​​ condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or ​expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.” The more diverse we are, the better our work will be.

Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process. For assistance regarding reasonable accommodation or for alternative format please contact OYA Recruitment at 971-345-1236. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.

Pre-employment Checks:

In keeping with our mission, OYA will conduct a criminal record check, per OAR 416 Division 800, a driving record background check and a vulnerable population abuse and neglect check. Information obtained about an individual is confidential. An individual who refuses to consent to a criminal records/background check shall be disqualified from consideration in the position for which you applied. All applicants are subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as fingerprint based on criminal records check, pre-employment drug screening and/or education verification as required for the position.

 In 2003 Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), the first federal civil statue focused specifically on addressing sexual violence in juvenile facilities, jails, prisons, and other facilities.  In recognition of the rights, safety, and well-being of the youth we serve you will be asked specific questions about your background to ensure our hiring and promotion practices comply with the National PREA standards. 

All positions in OYA will require the incumbent to serve as a "mandatory reporter" of child abuse.

Visa Sponsorship:

We do not offer Visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. OYA uses E-Verify to confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States.

Have Questions?:          

For questions about the job announcement, email the OYA recruitment team at OYAjobs@oya.oregon.gov