What are the responsibilities and job description for the Office Specialist 1 position at Portland State University, College of Urban and Public Affairs?
Position Announcement
Position Details
Proposed Start Date 09/01/2026 Classification Title Office Specialist 1 Working Title Office Specialist 1 Department 260401 - CDC Helen Gordon Office Position Number D95997 Representation OP - SEIU/OPEU Local 503 Position FTE 1.0 End date, if applicable
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
The Helen Gordon Child Development Center (HGCDC) and Helen Gordon Infant/Toddler Center (HGITC) are full-day children’s programs for Portland State University, serving children aged six weeks to five years. Located on the PSU campus in downtown Portland, the Centers provide model early childhood programs for the children of Portland State University students, faculty and staff, and the Portland community. The Centers are a laboratory for students and faculty participating in observation, practice and research activities in Early Childhood Education, Child, Youth and Family Studies, psychology, and related fields. HGCDC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Position Summary
The Office Specialist works between both the Helen Gordon Child Development Center and the ASPSU’s Helen Gordon Satellite site. They serve as a first point of contact for families, students and the campus community. The Office Specialist greets families and visitors in a warm and friendly manner and carries out a range of responsibilities that the overall program’s administration. Key duties include center reception and communication, assistance with daily scheduling, ordering and invoice processing, maintaining procurement cards, record keeping and filing, and general clerical support.
Minimum Qualifications From Classification
Completion of courses or training in Office Technology; OR
One year of general clerical experience which included typing, word processing, or other generation of documents; OR
An equivalent combination of training and experience.
Additional Minimum Qualifications For This Position
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Work Days/Hours Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week. The work schedule will be between the hours of 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, depending on yearly program needs Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
The starting salary rate for this position will be between $18.06 and $20.19 per hour. The starting salary may be negotiable above this range, however it will be dependent upon the knowledge, experience, skills and abilities of the chosen candidate, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
PSU’s excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon Public Universities
Application Instructions
Additional Information
Licenses And Certifications
Working in the center’s front office requires the ability to handle multiple stimuli and be able to multi-task. Must be able to sustain a positive demeanor and maintain organization in a busy office and school atmosphere. This position will require occasional direct contact and supervision of young children. Must be able to able to lift, move, hold and carry children and objects up to 50 pounds across a classroom. Must be able to Able to engage in full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in classroom activities. Must be able to see and hear children for supervision and perform physical tasks within a time frame of a fast-paced early childhood environment.
Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)
Please list the names, telephone numbers and email addresses for three professional references.
Background Check Required Yes If you have questions
Please email the Helen Gordon Child Development Center at helengordoncdc@pdx.edu
Search Details
Posting Close Date 08/03/2026 Application screening begins 07/27/2026
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Required Documents
Position Details
Proposed Start Date 09/01/2026 Classification Title Office Specialist 1 Working Title Office Specialist 1 Department 260401 - CDC Helen Gordon Office Position Number D95997 Representation OP - SEIU/OPEU Local 503 Position FTE 1.0 End date, if applicable
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
The Helen Gordon Child Development Center (HGCDC) and Helen Gordon Infant/Toddler Center (HGITC) are full-day children’s programs for Portland State University, serving children aged six weeks to five years. Located on the PSU campus in downtown Portland, the Centers provide model early childhood programs for the children of Portland State University students, faculty and staff, and the Portland community. The Centers are a laboratory for students and faculty participating in observation, practice and research activities in Early Childhood Education, Child, Youth and Family Studies, psychology, and related fields. HGCDC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Position Summary
The Office Specialist works between both the Helen Gordon Child Development Center and the ASPSU’s Helen Gordon Satellite site. They serve as a first point of contact for families, students and the campus community. The Office Specialist greets families and visitors in a warm and friendly manner and carries out a range of responsibilities that the overall program’s administration. Key duties include center reception and communication, assistance with daily scheduling, ordering and invoice processing, maintaining procurement cards, record keeping and filing, and general clerical support.
Minimum Qualifications From Classification
Completion of courses or training in Office Technology; OR
One year of general clerical experience which included typing, word processing, or other generation of documents; OR
An equivalent combination of training and experience.
Additional Minimum Qualifications For This Position
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Successful completion of a background check.
- Minimum of Step 6 classification in Oregon Registry
- Prior experience working with children and families
- Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word and Google Docs
- Ability to create and edit documents, including formatting text, inserting images and tables, and checking for grammar and spelling errors.
- Completed AA degree.
- Prior experience working in a school or child care facility.
- Prior experience with children and families.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
- Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
- Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
- Adheres to all PSU policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Work Days/Hours Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week. The work schedule will be between the hours of 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, depending on yearly program needs Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
The starting salary rate for this position will be between $18.06 and $20.19 per hour. The starting salary may be negotiable above this range, however it will be dependent upon the knowledge, experience, skills and abilities of the chosen candidate, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
PSU’s excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon Public Universities
Application Instructions
Additional Information
Licenses And Certifications
- Staff must maintain continuous enrollment in the Office of Child Care Central background registry.
- Staff must maintain certification in Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR
- Staff must hold a current Oregon Food Handlers Card.
- Staff must complete the Introduction to Childcare Health and Safety Training.
- Staff must complete Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training.
- Staff must complete Safe Sleep for Oregon’s Infants Training
- Staff must complete the Prevention is Better Than Treatment training
- Staff must complete the Foundations For Learning training
- Staff must participate in and maintain 24 clock hours of training or education annually as defined by the Oregon rules for certified Child Care Centers as well as SPARK, Oregon’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System.
Working in the center’s front office requires the ability to handle multiple stimuli and be able to multi-task. Must be able to sustain a positive demeanor and maintain organization in a busy office and school atmosphere. This position will require occasional direct contact and supervision of young children. Must be able to able to lift, move, hold and carry children and objects up to 50 pounds across a classroom. Must be able to Able to engage in full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in classroom activities. Must be able to see and hear children for supervision and perform physical tasks within a time frame of a fast-paced early childhood environment.
Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)
Please list the names, telephone numbers and email addresses for three professional references.
Background Check Required Yes If you have questions
Please email the Helen Gordon Child Development Center at helengordoncdc@pdx.edu
Search Details
Posting Close Date 08/03/2026 Application screening begins 07/27/2026
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * What step are you on the Oregon Childcare Registry? (Open Ended Question)
- * How did you first find out about this position?
- PSU Website
- Indeed.com
- HERCJobs
- Urban League of Portland
- Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
- Oregon Employment Department
- Social Media
- Person Referral
- Career Builder
- Glass Door
- Other - Please describe in the next Question
- If you selected Other, please describe. (Open Ended Question)
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Statement of Interest
- Professional References
Salary : $18 - $20