National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.1

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1 - Business, finance and administration occupations

Occupations in this category include financial and business services, administration and clerical supervision and support services. Some occupations in this category are unique to the financial and business services sectors; however, most are found in all industries. The professional occupations in this area such as accountants, investment brokers and human resources specialists are usually supplied from educational programs specific to the profession or occupation. Some administrative and business occupations are supplied from experienced workers in related clerical occupations.

14 - Office support occupations

This major group comprises office support occupations usually requiring completion of secondary school. It includes general office workers; office equipment operators; financial, insurance and related administrative support workers; and library, correspondence and other clerks.

141 - General office workers

This minor group includes general office support workers, receptionists, personnel clerks and court clerks. They are employed by hospitals and medical, dental and other offices; in personnel departments; by federal, provincial and municipal courts; and in offices throughout the public and private sectors.

1411 - General office support workers

General office support workers prepare correspondence, reports, statements and other material, operate office equipment, answer telephones, verify, record and process forms and documents such as contracts and requisitions and perform general clerical duties according to established procedures. They are employed in offices throughout the public and private sectors.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • administrative clerk
    • aircraft records clerk
    • file and classification clerk
    • filing clerk
    • general office worker
    • medical records clerk
    • office assistant
    • office clerk
    • records filing-system clerk
    • technical records clerk
    • ward clerk - hospital
    • warranty clerk

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • course co-ordinator
  • Exclusion(s)

    • Accounting and related clerks (See 1431 Accounting and related clerks)
    • Administrative assistants (See 1241 Administrative assistants)
    • Administrative officers (See 1221 Administrative officers)
    • Court clerks (See 1416 Court clerks)
    • Data entry clerks (See 1422 Data entry clerks)
    • Personnel clerks (See 1415 Personnel clerks)
    • Receptionists (See 1414 Receptionists)
    • Records management technicians (See 1253 Records management technicians)
    • Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers (See 1211 Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers)
  • Main 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.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of secondary school or college business or commercial courses is usually required.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to supervisory or office management positions is possible with experience.
    • Progression to officer level positions is possible with additional training and experience.
1414 - Receptionists

Receptionists greet people arriving at offices, hospitals and other establishments, direct visitors to appropriate person or service, answer and forward telephone calls, take messages, schedule appointments and perform other clerical duties. They are employed by hospitals, medical and dental offices and throughout the public and private sectors. Telephone operators are included in this group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • answering service operator
    • appointment clerk
    • business receptionist
    • dental receptionist
    • hospital admitting clerk
    • medical receptionist
    • office reception clerk
    • receptionist
    • switchboard operator
    • telephone operator
    • telephone service assistant
    • telereceptionist
    • toll operator

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • mail and message distribution clerk
    • medical office assistant
  • Exclusion(s)

    • 911 dispatchers (See 1525 Dispatchers)
    • Hotel front desk clerks (See 6525 Hotel front desk clerks)
    • Other customer and information services representatives (See 6552 Other customer and information services representatives)
    • Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers (See 1211 Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers)
  • Main duties

    The following is a summary of the main duties for some occupations in this unit group:

    • Receptionists greet people coming into offices and other establishments, direct them to the appropriate contacts or services, provide general information in person and by phone, and may perform clerical duties and maintain front desk security and security access lists.
    • Medical and dental receptionists greet patients, schedule appointments, using manual or computerized systems, receive and record payment for services, and direct patients to appropriate areas.
    • Hospital admitting clerks interview patients to obtain and process information required to provide hospital and medical services.
    • Telephone operators operate telephone systems to advance and complete customers' telephone calls such as long distance, pay telephone, mobile radio/telephone and person to person calls, arrange teleconferences, provide relay phone service to persons with disabilities, and may calculate and record billing information.
    • Switchboard operators operate a telephone system or switchboard to answer, screen and forward telephone calls, take messages and provide information as required, and may perform clerical duties.
    • Answering service operators answer telephones and record and relay messages.
    • Reception desk clerks in a variety of institutional and commercial settings direct customers to appropriate areas, record bookings, handle credit card checks, receive payment, issue receipts, arrange tour reservations and deal with emergency situations.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • On-the-job training may be provided.
  • Additional information

    • Some receptionists are required to be bilingual or multilingual to perform their duties.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
1415 - Personnel clerks

Personnel clerks assist personnel officers and human resources specialists and compile, maintain and process information relating to staffing, recruitment, training, labour relations, performance evaluations and classifications. They are employed in personnel departments throughout the private and public sectors.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • classification clerk - human resources
    • employment clerk
    • human resources assistant
    • human resources clerk
    • labour relations clerk
    • personnel services clerk
    • staffing clerk
    • training clerk

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Human resources and recruitment officers (See 1223 Human resources and recruitment officers)
    • Human resources professionals (See 1121 Human resources professionals)
    • Payroll clerks (See 1432 Payroll administrators)
    • Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers (See 1211 Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers)
  • Main duties

    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.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of college or other courses in personnel administration may be required.
    • Some clerical experience may be required.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
    • Progression to officer level positions is possible with additional training and experience.
1416 - Court clerks

This unit group includes those who perform support functions in courts of law, such as calling court to order, preparing court dockets and maintaining exhibits. Court clerks are employed by federal, provincial and municipal courts.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • court clerk
    • court clerk-crier
    • criminal court clerk
    • judicial clerk
    • provincial court clerk

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Court officers and justices of the peace (See 1227 Court officers and justices of the peace)
    • Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations (See 1251 Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations)
  • Main duties

    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.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is required.
    • On-the-job training is provided.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to supervisory or court officer positions is possible with experience.
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