General Office Workers (Excluding Receptionists)
(NOC 1411, 1415, 1416)
in All NS OccupationsGeneral office workers are involved in performing general clerical and typing duties according to established procedures. Personnel clerks assist personnel officers and human resources specialists. They are employed in personnel departments throughout the private and public sectors. Court clerks call court to order, prepare records of court proceedings, and maintain exhibits. Court clerks are employed by federal, provincial and municipal courts.
Job Outlook
Average
Read more
Compared to: All NS Occupations
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline moderately over the next few years, which will likely limit the number of new opportunities available. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. General Office Workers (Excluding Receptionists) most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically temporary positions (such as a term, contract, or casual work).
The median employment income for 52% of General Office Workers (Excluding Receptionists) who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $39,386. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$12.00
Minimum$20.00
Median$26.63
MaximumAnnual Pay
$6,384
Minimum$31,401
Median$53,356
MaximumCompared to: All NS Occupations
Hourly Pay
$11.00
Minimum$19.89
Median$40.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$2,872
Minimum$29,983
Median$83,126
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
General office workers are involved in performing general clerical and typing duties according to established procedures. Personnel clerks assist personnel officers and human resources specialists. They are employed in personnel departments throughout the private and public sectors. Court clerks call court to order, prepare records of court proceedings, and maintain exhibits. Court clerks are employed by federal, provincial and municipal courts.
Job duties
General office support workers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare correspondence, reports, statements, forms, presentations, applications and other documents from notes or Dictaphone.
- Respond to telephone, in person or electronic enquiries or forward to appropriate person.
- Provide general information to staff, clients and the public regarding company or program rules, regulations and procedures.
- Photocopy and collate documents for distribution, mailing and filing.
- Sort and file documents according to established filing systems, locate and retrieve documents from files as requested and maintain records of filed and removed materials.
- Maintain and prepare reports from manual or electronic files, inventories, mailing lists and databases.
- Process incoming and outgoing mail, manually or electronically.
- Send and receive messages and documents using fax machine or electronic mail.
- Assist with administrative procedures such as budget submissions, contracts administration and work schedules.
- Maintain inventory of office supplies, order supplies as required and arrange for servicing of office equipment.
- May perform basic bookkeeping tasks such as preparing invoices and bank deposits.
- May sort, process and verify receipts, expenditures, forms and other documents.
- May organize the flow of work for other office support workers.
Personnel clerks perform some or all of the following duties:
- Process, verify and register documentation relating to personnel activities such as staffing, recruitment, training, grievances, performance evaluations and classifications.
- Maintain and update manual and computerized filing and registration systems, and compile and prepare reports and documents relating to personnel activities.
- Respond to telephone and written enquiries from staff and the general public regarding personnel matters.
- Arrange for advertising or posting of job vacancies, assist in screening and rating of job applicants, and conduct reference checks.
- Administer and score employment tests, such as keyboarding and proofreading tests.
- Arrange for in-house and external training activities.
Court clerks perform some or all of the following duties:
- Call courts of law to order; read charges; take pleas from defendants; swear in witnesses and perform other clerical functions in the courtrooms.
- Prepare court files, court dockets and other documents.
- Record main court proceedings, including pleas, names of witnesses, dates, times and rulings.
- Manage care and custody of court exhibits.
- Prepare documents for and participate in jury selection.
- Update and maintain court office paper and electronic indexes and files on actions taken by court or in response to court decisions.
- Receive, disburse and account for fines, fees and trust monies.
- Assist the public in court offices.
Sample job titles
- court clerk
- human resources assistant
- judicial clerk
- office assistant
- office clerk
- personnel clerk
- records clerk
- staffing assistant
- training clerk
- typist
- ward clerk - hospital
Skills
Good communication and interpersonal skills are important, along with a willingness to learn and adapt to continually changing equipment and software. Your work must be accurate, and you should enjoy repetitive tasks. Familiarity with computer software and other office equipment is needed. You should also be cooperative and able to work as part of a team.
Job requirements
- Completion of high school is usually required.
- Completion of high school or college business or commercial courses is usually required.
Other considerations
The widespread application of computer technology to the duties performed by many clerks means that a solid foundation in computer skills is often necessary for entry into these jobs. As well, workers should be able to adapt to changes in technology. Some clerical experience may be required and on-the-job training may also be provided. Progression to supervisory, office management or officer level is possible with experience and additional training.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All NS Occupations
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Northern
Cape Breton
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health Care and Social Assistance
Public Administration
Retail Trade
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
Construction
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
65+
Compared to: All NS Occupations
45-54
55-64
35-44
65+
25-34
Top levels of education
College certificate or diploma
$50,642 median annual incomeHigh school
$45,322 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$54,679 median annual incomeLess than high school
N/ATrades certificate
$51,054 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
College certificate or diploma
$33,837 median annual incomeHigh school
$30,074 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$39,473 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$32,871 median annual incomeLess than high school
$23,775 median annual incomeEducation & training
Administrative assistant and secretarial science - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to perform the duties of administrative assistants and/or secretaries and stenographers. These programs include courses in business communications, principles of business law, word processing and data entry, office machines operation and maintenance, office procedures, public relations, secretarial accounting, filing systems and records management, and report preparation.
Institutions providing this program
315 Jamieson Street PO Box 33 Whitney Pier
Sydney, NS B1N 3B1
(902) 564-2222
45 Ochterloney Street, Suite 100
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2N6
(902) 463-6700
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
721 Alexandra Street
Sydney, NS B1S 2H4
(902) 564-6112
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
75 High Street
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V8
(902) 543-4608
5685 Leeds Street
Halifax, NS B3K 2T3
(902) 491-6722
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Unit 37, 115 Chain Lake Drive
Halifax, NS B3S 1B3
(877) 491-6774
Adult high school/secondary diploma programs
This program is typically offered at the high school level.The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.
Institutions providing this program
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 220
Halifax, NS B3J 2M4
(866) 679-6722
Various, NS
Various, NS
Business administration and management - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. These programs include courses in management theory, human resources management and behaviour, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.
Institutions providing this program
45 Ochterloney Street, Suite 100
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2N6
(902) 463-6700
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
75 High Street
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V8
(902) 543-4608
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
36 Arthur Street
Truro, NS B2N 1X5
(902) 893-5385
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Unit 37, 115 Chain Lake Drive
Halifax, NS B3S 1B3
(877) 491-6774
Business/commerce - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and non-profit public and private institutions and agencies. The program prepares individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
General office occupations and clerical services
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to provide basic administrative support under the supervision of office managers, administrative assistants, secretaries, and other office personnel. These programs include courses in typing, keyboarding, filing, general business correspondence, office equipment operation, and communications skills.
Institutions providing this program
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
222 George Street, Suite C
Sydney, NS B1P 1J3
(866) 446-5898
Human resources management/personnel administration - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to manage the development of human capital in organizations, and to provide related services to individuals and groups. These programs include courses in personnel and organization policy, human resource dynamics and flows, labour relations, sex roles, civil rights, human resources laws and regulations, motivation and compensation systems, work systems, career management, employee testing and assessment, recruitment and selection, managing employee and job training programs, and the management of human resources programs and operations.
Institutions providing this program
721 Alexandra Street
Sydney, NS B1S 2H4
(902) 564-6112
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.