Administrative Assistant

Administrative Assistant

Salary

$23.08 - $25.96 Hourly

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

17004

Department

Institute of Forensic Sciences

Division

Administration Services

Opening Date

07/24/2026

Closing Date

9/30/2026 11:59 PM Central

Max Number of Applicants

200

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Mission

The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.

Vision

• To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.

• To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.

• To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

Brief Administrative Assistant Overview:

The Administrative Assistant generally provides administrative and clerical support to various assigned Divisions within the Department, cross-trains to provide coverage for Administrative Coordinators in other sections, and coordinates activities with administrative staff and supervisors. This particular position will primarily work in the Records & Reports section of Administration.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides general administrative and clerical support as needed/directed. Specific responsibilities will vary depending on area of Department assigned to, but could include report proofreading, record management, scanning and/or maintaining case files and other records and documents, receiving and responding to incoming calls / emails, receiving and distributing mail to appropriate areas, providing calendar and meeting schedule support, and general customer service to coworkers and the public

• Performs data entry into various databases, including the county's financial and human resources system and the Department's LIMS. Disseminates reports from extracted data, constructs text reports, graphical charts, or presentations based on the data

• Assists with Department procurement and reimbursement process, including drafting and processing of purchase requests

• Processes subpoena requests, discovery requests, court appearances, and open records request to include communication with various managers, attorneys, family members, independent laboratories, and criminal justice agencies

• Cross-trains on other responsibilities to ensure coverage of administrative staff. Coordinates with other administrative staff to ensure tasks are completed in a timely and consistent manner

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

All applicants must register and take the HRRM Clerical Skills Test and score a minimum of 85% clerical aptitude and 40 wpm with 85% accuracy

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx/jobs/998426/hrrm-clerical-skills-test

Please see testing instructions in the General Information section below.

Education:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent from an accredited educational institution

Experience:

• At least two (2) years of administrative experience in an office setting

Licensure/ Certificates:

• Maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and maintain ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

Additional Requirements:

• Pass Harris County Clerical Test with a score of at least 85% clerical aptitude and 40 wpm with 85% accuracy

• Must pass criminal background check and drug / alcohol screening (prior to and randomly during employment)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Professional demeanor in dealing with a diverse set of outside callers and coworkers; desire to make customer service a priority

• Strong written and oral communication skills, ability to multi-task and adjust priorities as needed

• Attention to detail and ability to anticipate needs of others

• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Education:

• Associate degree OR 60 credit hours of college OR high school diploma plus a professional secretary or equivalent certificate (preferred)

Experience:

• Experience in a medical office, laboratory, or law enforcement agency (preferred)

General Information

Register Online for the HRRM Clerical Skills Test using the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx/jobs/998426/hrrm-clerical-skills-test

• Click the above link to the HRRM Clerical Skills Test registration page
• Click on "Apply" to submit your request for testing
• You will receive a test invitation and instructions via e-mail within 48 hours
• You will have no more than 5 calendar days to access and complete testing
• Your score will be automatically uploaded to your application
• The test may be taken once every 30 days
• Most recent test scores are retained for up to 6 months

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-Time | 40 hours per week | In Office

• Monday - Friday

Work Environment:

• Office setting

Potential Exposures:

• The Institute of Forensic Sciences provides medical examiner and crime lab services for Harris County. The work performed is sensitive and serious and routinely deals with criminal evidence and deaths of adults and children that resulted from violence, natural disease, or other causes. While this position won't have any direct contact with evidence or decedents, there will be exposure which may be emotionally taxing

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary work. Requires physical strength to push, pull, and lift up to 20 pounds frequently and repeatedly

• Must be physically able to sit or stand for extended periods

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*
• Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the Countys behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:

www.benefitsathctx.com

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position? Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.

• High School or GED diploma
• Associate Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher
• None of the above

02

Do you have 60 college credit hours?

• Yes
• No

03

Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.

04

Which of the following best describes your verifiable administrative experience in an office setting? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history)

• Less than two (2) years
• Two (2) years but less than three (3) years
• Three (3) years but less than four (4) years
• Four (4) years or more
• I do not have this experience

05

Please provide the dates of employment during which you obtained experience working in an administrative role in an office setting. Provide the month and year that began and ended the experience [ Example: "January 2020 - December 2025" ] If this experience is not clearly documented in the Work Experience section, your application will be disqualified. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A" in the space provided.

06

Do you have experience in a medical office, laboratory, or law enforcement agency?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have one of the following professional secretary certifications?

• Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)
• Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE)
• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
• None of the above

08

This role requires a Valid Drivers License (Texas upon hire) Do you have a Valid Drivers License?

• Yes, I have a Valid Texas Drivers License
• Yes, I have a Valid Drivers License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Drivers License prior to start date
• No, I do not have a Valid Drivers License

09

Clerical Test Acknowledgement I understand this position requires the HRT Clerical Skills Test scores to be on file before my application can move forward through the application process. I understand if I do not already have scores on file, I will need to complete the HRT Clerical Skills Test within five (5) days of receiving the invitation to apply from HRT. I understand that if I do not complete the HRT Clerical Skills Test my application will be invalid/disqualified.

• I acknowledge and understand the above instructions.
• I acknowledge that I currently have test scores on file.

Required Question

Employer Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx