What are the responsibilities and job description for the Clerical Assistant 3 position at Commonwealth of PA?
THE POSITION
This Clerical Assistant 3 position provides key clerical support for federal Child Nutrition Programs staff, specifically the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Summer Food Services Program (SFSP). Your work will directly connect our teams with personnel from public and private schools and residential childcare facilities, help eager applicant organizations become effective program sponsors, and provide accurate and timely assistance for all. Apply now and join an agency where your attention to detail and communication skills will support statewide programs that help children access the nutritious meals they need to learn and grow.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position provides detailed clerical support along with internal and external customer service. Your work will assist NSLP and SFSP sponsors, staff, and administrators through accurate recordkeeping, clear communication, and efficient document processing. As a Clerical Assistant 3, you will perform the following duties:
Customer Service: Screen calls and emails, answer standard inquiries about forms and deadlines, and transfer calls to the appropriate staff for action; proofread materials developed by program staff for proper punctuation and grammar- Application Support: Review paperwork from potential sponsors for accuracy and completion, create and rout files through appropriate channels, work with program staff to help complete the application process, and prepare packets for new sponsors
- Technical Assistance: Serve as a point of contact for sponsors to help them use the electronic application and reimbursement system effectively
- Correspondence Handling: Receive, open, and distribute mail to appropriate staff members; distribute updated information and reminder notices for sponsors via mail and broadcast emails
- Information Tracking: Update spreadsheets and enter data to track compliance with submission of various reports, all correspondence, and other information as needed to assist with data collection
- Office Teamwork: Schedule rooms for meetings, training, and workshops; monitor inventory of resource materials and request more when needed; coordinate travel arrangements; and assist with other clerical duties
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment
- Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to two days per week. This position currently work in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- One year as a Clerical Assistant 2 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
- One year of moderately complex clerical experience; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training.
Other Requirements:
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
Commonwealth employees who wish to use their seniority rights must apply to the internal posting for their seniority rights to be considered.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Veterans:
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
-
You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
- Eligibility rules apply.