ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE (Certification) Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/houston/jobs/newprint/4808503) Apply  ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE (Certification) Salary $1,475.20 - $1,864.00 Biweekly Location 611 Walker Street Job Type Full Time Job Number 36099 Department Office of Business Opportunity Opening Date 01/28/2025 Closing Date 2/4/2025 11:59 PM Central + Description + Benefits + Questions POSITION OVERVIEW Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED Job Classification: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE Division: Certification Reporting Location: 611 Walker Street, 7th Floor Workdays & Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm *Subject to Change* DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The Office of Business Opportunity is committed to cultivating a competitive and diverse economic environment in the City of Houston by promoting the success of small businesses and developing Houston’s workforce, with special emphasis on historically underutilized businesses and disenfranchised individuals. OBO's objective is to significantly increase the number, capacity and success of businesses in Houston. OBO provides business assistance to start-up companies, helps businesses navigate services that support growth and sustainability, additionally the department coordinates educational, legal and financial resources, as well as facilitates certification of Minority, Women, Small Business Enterprises (MWSBE) and Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprises, and the state Historically Underutilized Business and the US Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) certifications. OBO is charged with ensuring that city departments and prime contractors identify and connect with certified companies to participate on contracting opportunities on city funded contracts. OBO performs contract compliance functions on City of Houston contracts. Finally, OBO administers the City's Pay or Play Program which creates a more level playing field and enhances fairness in the bid process between competing contractors as it relates to the provision of health benefits. The Office of Business Opportunity seeks an Administrative Associate to support the Certification Division team. The Administrative Associate will interact with customers in person and over the phone and will be responsible for tracking interactions between OBO and customers/partners. OBO seeks an individual that has strong written/oral communication skills. The candidate may also be responsible for supporting departmental events. Primarily, the candidate will be responsible for performing data entry functions, screening and reviewing new MWSBE/DBE certification applications, filing and processing certification update forms. (S)he will also assist management with special projects in the Certification Division. The candidate should have the ability to interpret and analyze basic business documents, have good data entry skills and the ability to effectively organize a steady workload of application processing activity with excellent follow-thru and follow-up skills. WORKING CONDITIONS This position involves work in the office environment as well as work at departmental external events. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS Requires a Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS No experience is required. Professional administrative experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis. LICENSE REQUIREMENTS None PREFERENCES Preference shall be given to candidates: + Who has established a record working in a professional environment; detail oriented, multi-tasker with the ability to prioritize and quickly adapt to a fast paced and changing environment. + With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and/or related field. + With experience in customer service, data entry and filing. + With good verbal communication with proficiency in written communication that is grammatically correct. + Who are proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. **Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6. ** GENERAL INFORMATION SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED None; however, the department may administer, and the applicant must successfully complete a skills-assessment relevant to job description. SAFETY IMPACT POSITION: No If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test. SALARY INFORMATION Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification. PAY GRADE: 13 APPLICATION PROCEDURES Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during posting opening and closing dates shown. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov. To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call 832-393-6051. All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information. If you need special services or accommodations, call (832)393-6051. (TTY 7-1-1) If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627. Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process. EOE - Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy. The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include: + Medical + Dental + Vision + Wellness + Supplemental Insurance + Life insurance + Long-term disability + Retirement pension + 457 deferred compensation plan + Employee Assistance Program + 10 days of vacation each year + 11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday + Compensable Sick Leave + Personal Leave + Flexible schedules + Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions + Professional development opportunities + Transportation/parking plan + Section 125 pretax deductions + Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan + Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves + Healthcare Flexible Spending Account For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html 01 Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions? + Yes + No 02 Which scenario best describes your completed verifiable education AND verifiable years of professional administrative experience? + Bachelor's Degree or higher in Business Administration or a related field. + Associates' Degree in Business Administration or a related field AND AT LEAST two (2) years of professional administrative experience. + Associates' Degree in Business Administration or a related field AND LESS THAN two (2) years of professional administrative experience. + High School Diploma or GED AND AT LEAST four (4) years of verifiable professional administrative experience. + High School Diploma or GED AND LESS THAN four (4) years of verifiable professional administrative experience. + None of the above. 03 If you indicated in question #2 above you have obtained a degree, what area of concentration is your completed degree? + Management + Public Relations + My degree concentration is not listed above 04 Do you have professional verifiable hands-on experience in the following areas? (Check All That Apply) + Scheduling of meetings. + Screen and enter MWSBE/DBE certification applications. + Strong data collection and data entry skills. + Maintain email database for outreach campaigns and/or communications. + Compile data for use in a variety of reports, surveys, inventories and studies. + Working with outside vendors. + Providing in-person customer service. + None of the above. 05 Please indicate your level of proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). + BEGINNER: Perform daily word processing tasks in Word, enter correct data, create a database, import data from Excel in Access, format cells, rows and columns in Excel, create a PowerPoint presentation file with a title slide, bullet points and place in slide loop mode; creates a new e-mail message, checking e-mail in Outlook. + INTERMEDIATE: Basic formatting and create a variety of templates, mail merges in Word; create primary key to associate data between multiple tables, create a select query in Access; create, modify, and format charts, use graphic objects to enhance worksheets & charts in Excel; add special affects to presentation (design and animation) in PowerPoint; reply, forward, print and delete an e-mail message in Outlook. + ADVANCED: Manage table data, sort and filter merges in Word, create a split form and report and back up your databases in Access; use the filter and formula functions to manipulate data in Excel; transition presentation slides, link Excel charts to presentation and add voice in PowerPoint; delete e-mails from the Inbox, Sent Items and Deleted Items folders, Add, edit, move and delete appointments on your calendar. + EXPERT: Produce table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks in Word, manage Macro commands, and manage database objects in Access, use advance formula functions (Vlookup, IF, IS) manage macro commands, group rows in Excel; publish presentation online, embed objects into presentation in PowerPoint; managing multiple calendars, set rules for incoming mail, create subfolders for mail to be placed in Outlook. + I have no experience in working with Microsoft Office Products. 06 If you were the successful candidate selected for this position, please describe the role you would play in ensuring the Office of Business Opportunity carries out its mission. (Note, A NON-RESPONSE as well as stating See Resume is not acceptable and will delay your application process). 07 Are you a current City of Houston Employee? + Yes + No Required Question