What are the responsibilities and job description for the Office Support Specialist position at Minnesota Merit System?
Classification Summary
Freeborn County Department of Human Services is hiring a full time (40 hours per week) Office Support Specialist, DHS position.
Freeborn County Duties: The Office Support Specialist, DHS, position is responsible for performing a variety of diverse and complex clerical tasks that require attention to precision and accuracy. Duties involve the application of some limited judgment in carrying out the job requirements, however, office routines governing tasks are in place and established. Duties include data entry, substantial customer relations, and service activities which involve the application of various regulations, rules, and department routines that must be applied in a precise and accurate manner. Additional duties include maintenance of department records, transcriptions, receptionist support, maintain statistical reports, and gathers data needed for various department forms and reports.
PLEASE NOTE THE EXAM PROCESS IS AN ONLINE EXAM FOR THIS CLASSIFICATION (SEE EXAM PROCESS BELOW).
Examples of Duties
- 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
Freeborn County Minimum Qualifications
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Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or GED
- Computer, typing and data entry experience/training
- One to three years relevant work experience
- Clerk/Typist Merit Test Certification
- HIPAA/Data Security Training
- IPAM Series Assessment
- Merit Testing Clerk Specialist Training
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 sections measuring Numeric Filing, Proofreading, Reading Comprehension, Spelling, and Basic Math Skills. After your Merit System application has been submitted, you will be sent a link to access the examination sections.
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. Please have a calculator and or scratch paper for the examination. 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). You will need a calculator. 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.
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 the 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.
You will have a limited number of days from the date you submitted 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, July 15th, 2026 (midnight) for the position.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Note: There are two steps to this application process
1. Apply at this link here: 614-Online (Office Support Specialist - Online Exam) by noon on Friday, July 10th 2026.
AND
2. Complete an online Freeborn County Application by noon on Friday, July 10th, 2026.
Applicants must take the online test by midnight on Wednesday, July 15th, 2026.
An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer