Public Safety Assistant

Fire Rescue

Full-Time, 12 Months

Non-Exempt, Pay Grade 10, VRS-Eligible, Benefits-Eligible

THE POSITION – PUBLIC SAFETY ASSISTANT

The Public Safety Assistant performs complex clerical and difficult routine administrative and technical work in support of Emergency Communications, Police or Fire-Rescue Department administration. Incumbent is assigned specific program and project responsibilities. Work is performed with minimal supervision.

KEY ATTRIBUTES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Is engaging, approachable, trusting, caring, motivated and respectful
• Places high importance on teamwork
• Demonstrates exceptional Emotional Intelligence with excellent communication skills
• Demonstrates fairness in all business matters, which may involve some conflict, which requires tact and diplomacy
• Can handle multiple, changing priorities and tasks, manages assignments through to completion with high attention to accuracy and detail
• Can make consistent judgments or interpretations while remaining dedicated to preserving the policies and procedures; someone honest and ethical

THE DEPARTMENT – FIRE RESCUE

Albemarle County has a unique emergency services system. Volunteer and career personnel cooperatively provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to the community while partnering with other local and regional emergency services organizations.  We are an equal opportunity, progressive organization whose goal is to provide the highest quality service within the constraints of our funding and personnel resources.

The department provides emergency fire, rescue, and medical services for nearly 93,000 residents and 726 square miles of land.  Our stations serve response areas that are urban and rural with an annual population growth increase of 2.1 percent.  Our population growth, while moderate compared to some, challenges us to find creative ways to maintain high standards and meet our ever-increasing demands for service.

Albemarle County maintains a centralized headquarters to coordinate the provision of fire, rescue, and emergency medical services.  Commonly referred to as ACFR, these staff members handle administrative tasks, training, volunteer programs, fire prevention and life safety programs, and provide career operations staffing to supplement volunteer staffing.

To learn more about working for Albemarle County Fire Rescue click here or visit www.albemarle.org/fire.

THE EXPECTATIONS

Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Composes and types a variety of documents to include: correspondence, memoranda, newsletters, technical and statistical reports, organization charts, data for publications and other material where knowledge of format/presentation and conformance with County policies is required;
• Screens visitors, telephone calls directed to the ECC Executive Director, Police or Fire-Rescue Chief or Command Staff; Makes appointments for and provides administrative support to the ECC Executive Director, Command Staff, schedules meeting rooms;
• Assists with the prioritizing and organization of work and service assignments; May supervise subordinate department staff members;
• Handles a variety of routine administrative or technical departmental assignments, to include updating and maintaining databases and providing program support, preparing training materials and assists in the presentation of training, providing information to the public or directs requests to appropriate department;
• Assists in the collection and analyzing of data for the preparation of the annual budget; coordinates fiscal management of resources and prepares periodic budget reports for the agency or department; provides support in maintaining required budget documents;
• May act as the backup agency/department bookkeeper (prepares, signs, records, and maintains purchase requisitions; collects, files, verifies and approves invoices and statements; maintain budget line items accordingly); maintains training expenses (meals, logging, registration, etc.);
• May maintain personnel records to include: payroll, leave, workers' comp, medical information; posts leave and payroll records to Great Plains system; verifies all records for accuracy; complete responsibility for running payroll reports and submission to payroll for processing;
• May maintain and oversee agency/department employment screenings, Human Resources management information; keeps salary information for all employees, keeps track of all personnel changes and submits necessary paperwork to the Human Resources Department;
• Sets up office procedures including maintaining inventory and supplies;
• May act as a liaison to ECC Management Board, public safety committee, organizations and volunteers, as assigned;
• Attends meetings, takes minutes, transcribes and distributes as needed;
• May coordinate agency/departmental Strategic Planning activities;
• Does related work as required.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Any combination of experience or education equivalent to an associate's degree with course work in business, finance or public administration and a minimum of five years of experience in complex administration/secretarial work is required; at least one year of supervisory experience is preferred. Experience with computers and commonly used software programs is required. SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of public or business administration to include comprehensive knowledge of standard office practices, procedures, equipment and secretarial techniques; thorough knowledge of departmental functions, organization and policies; comprehensive knowledge of business English and spelling; ability to establish harmonious working relationships with other county employees, vendors and the general public; ability to work under pressure; ability to organize and perform work independently; ability to supervise the work of others; ability to lay out and type complex forms and tables; ability to make difficult arithmetic calculations; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to use Microsoft Windows, Office and enterprise computer applications.

THE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AND NATURE OF WORK CONTACTS

Conducts work typically in a sitting position with occasional walking, light lifting and other limited physical activity. May require sustained operation of a variety of office equipment. Regular and frequent contacts made with individuals from other internal organizational units; outside organizations or the general public for purposes of achieving organization goals and mission. Communication is usually cooperative in nature but may require tact and discretion. Occasional attendance of meetings and other activities which require travel throughout the County and are beyond normal working hours may be necessary.

THE HIRING SALARY RANGE

The hiring salary range for this position is $31,670 - $38,004 per year depending on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. The position also provides excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. This is a full time, FLSA Non-exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy,§P-60.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday, June 29, 2018, 5:00 p.m. EST

You may find more information at the Albemarle County Human Resources page http://www.albemarle.org/hr.

Learn more about the County as a great place to live at: New Resident Guide

EEO/EOE