Office Specialist 1

About the Role

The Helen Gordon Child Development Center (HGCDC) and Helen Gordon Infant/Toddler Center (HGITC) are full-day children's programs for Portland State University, serving children aged six weeks to five years. Located on the PSU campus in downtown Portland, the Centers provide model early childhood programs for the children of Portland State University students, faculty and staff, and the Portland community. The Centers are a laboratory for students and faculty participating in observation, practice and research activities in Early Childhood Education, Child, Youth and Family Studies, psychology, and related fields. HGCDC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The Office Specialist works between both the Helen Gordon Child Development Center and the Helen Gordon Infant/Toddler Center. The Office Specialist serves as a Substitute Director on site as needed and serves as a first point of contact for families, students and the campus community, greeting families and visitors in a warm and friendly manner.

Responsibilities

• Center reception and communication
• Assistance with daily scheduling
• Ordering and invoice processing
• Maintaining procurement cards
• Record keeping and filing
• General clerical support
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of courses or training in Office Technology; OR
• One year of general clerical experience which included typing, word processing, or other generation of documents; OR
• An equivalent combination of training and experience
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• At least step 6 in the Oregon Registry

Preferred Qualifications

• Completed AA degree
• Prior experience working with children and families
• Prior experience working in a school or child care facility
• Strong oral and written communication skills

Key Cultural Competencies

• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
• Adheres to all PSU policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct
• Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals

Schedule

Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week. The work schedule will be between the hours of 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, depending on yearly program needs.

Pay

The starting salary rate for this position will be between $18.06 and $20.19 per hour. The starting salary may be negotiable above this range, however it will be dependent upon the knowledge, experience, skills and abilities of the chosen candidate, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

Benefits

PSU's excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon Public Universities.

Licenses and Certifications

• Staff must maintain continuous enrollment in the Office of Child Care, Central Background Registry
• Staff must maintain certification in Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR
• Staff must complete the Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect in Oregon training
• Staff must hold a current Oregon Food Handler's Card
• Staff must complete the Safe Sleep for Oregon's Infants training
• Staff must complete the Introduction to ChildCare Health & Safety training
• Staff must complete the Prevention is Better Than Treatment training
• Staff must complete the Foundations For Learning training
• Staff must participate in and maintain 24 clock hours of training or education annually as defined by the Oregon Rules for Certified Child Care Centers as well as SPARK, Oregon's Quality Recognition and Improvement System

Special Working Conditions

Working in the center's front office requires the ability to handle multiple stimuli and be able to multi-task. Must be able to sustain a positive demeanor and maintain organization in a busy office and school atmosphere. This position will require occasional direct contact and supervision of young children.