Office Support Specialist

Classification Summary

Winona County Community Services is hiring a full time Office Support Specialist. The position starts at $22.93/hour (DOQ) with advancement up to $30.12/hour.

Winona County Job Summary
Under general supervision an employee at this level is characterized by responsibility for a fairly complex and important function, or subject matter within a department. A good knowledge of general office methods and equipment and of the functions and procedures of the department are essential. Skills in communicating with others are often important in positions in this class. Typing may involve technical terminology or the ability to design and layout reports, but the level of related responsibility is the governing factor in allocation to this level. An employee in this classification must have sufficient knowledge to be the primary reference source on the assigned subject and the ability to analyze and resolve a variety of work problems.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS HAS CHANGED FOR THIS CLASSIFICATION (SEE EXAM PROCESS BELOW).

Examples of Duties

• (these are illustrative examples only-a position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.)
• Responds orally and in writing to general inquiries based on knowledge of previous situations and knowledge of agency programs, policies and procedures.
• Asks questions to determine clients' needs and directs the clients to the appropriate staff member.
• Provides clients with information on other community resources.
• Assists clients in the proper completion of program forms.
• Responds to requests for information or questions from other employees by personal contact, phone or e-mail.
• Types and edits materials using knowledge of procedures to determine the correct format, and questions the author if something is missing or incorrect.
• Composes form letters or other routine correspondence.
• Types and/or prepares special reports using knowledge of specialized software programs. Assembles and sends application materials, attachments and other forms based on knowledge of standard agency procedures.
• Codes, records, matches, posts, tallies, verifies and/or corrects data in order to maintain accurate records and mailing lists.
• Maintains administrative or fiscal data and assists in preparing reports.
• Sorts and distributes incoming mail and collects and prepares outgoing mail.
• Maintains adequate inventory of office supplies and forms required for agency operation.
• Enters information into and retrieves information from data bases.
• Assists in the training of new office support staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Winona County Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and three years of increasingly responsible general clerical experience.

Examination Process

In order to be considered for this job, you must take and pass an examination, which is offered online. The examination consists of five (5) sections measuring Numeric Filing, Proofreading, Reading Comprehension, Spelling (requires sound audio capabilities on your computer), and Basic Math Skills. After your Merit System application has been submitted, you will be sent an e mail with a unique link to access the examination sections. Set aside enough time to take this examination in it's entirety (in one sitting). If you get out of a section before completing it - it will score the unanswered questions as "0s" zeros and you will not be given credit.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
**MN MERIT SYSTEM APPLICATION AND LETTER OF INTEREST WITH RESUME REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION** THERE ARE TWO STEPS TO THIS APPLICATION PROCESS.

1. Apply at this link here: 614-Online Exam (5) - Office Support Specialist Online Exam by 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 3rd. You will have a limited number of days from the date you submit your application to complete the exam. Please note, you are applying for a specific county vacancy and the exam must be completed online by Wednesday, November 5th, 2025 (midnight)

AND

2. Submit a letter of interest and resume to the attention of Todd Sadler, Human Resources Director, County Office Building, 202 West Third Street, Winona, MN 55987 (507) 457-6352 or fax: (507) 454-9366 or email WinonaCountyHR@winonacounty.gov by 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 3rd, 2025
After you apply, you will receive an e-mail with a link to the test that you will need to take. Please allow one hour in order to take the exam in it's entirety as required.

If a passing score is obtained, your score will remain on the eligible list up to one year (or until you are hired into a permanent position). You will not need to re-take this online examination if you have obtained a passing score of at least 70. If you have any changes to your application, such as updating your availability, please notify the Merit System directly.