2018/2019 Competency-Based Task/Competency List for Office Specialist I--Preparation (6740/36 weeks)
NOTE: The class size shall be limited to an average of 15 students per instructor per class period with no class being more than 18.
Tasks/competencies bordered in blue are considered optional when marked as such; they and/or additional tasks/competencies may be taught at the discretion of the school division. All other tasks are considered essential statewide and are required of all students.

Demonstrating Workplace Readiness Skills: Personal Qualities and People Skills
Demonstrating Workplace Readiness Skills: Professional Knowledge and Skills
- Demonstrate effective speaking and listening skills.
- Demonstrate effective reading and writing skills.
- Demonstrate critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrate healthy behaviors and safety skills.
- Demonstrate an understanding of workplace organizations, systems, and climates.
- Demonstrate lifelong-learning skills.
- Demonstrate job-acquisition and advancement skills.
- Demonstrate time-, task-, and resource-management skills.
- Demonstrate job-specific mathematics skills.
- Demonstrate customer-service skills.
Demonstrating Workplace Readiness Skills: Technology Knowledge and Skills
Examining All Aspects of an Industry
- Examine aspects of planning within an industry/organization.
- Examine aspects of management within an industry/organization.
- Examine aspects of financial responsibility within an industry/organization.
- Examine technical and production skills required of workers within an industry/organization.
- Examine principles of technology that underlie an industry/organization.
- Examine labor issues related to an industry/organization.
- Examine community issues related to an industry/organization.
- Examine health, safety, and environmental issues related to an industry/organization.
Addressing Elements of Student Life
- Identify the purposes and goals of the student organization.
- Explain the benefits and responsibilities of membership in the student organization as a student and in professional/civic organizations as an adult.
- Demonstrate leadership skills through participation in student organization activities, such as meetings, programs, and projects.
- Identify Internet safety issues and procedures for complying with acceptable use standards.
Developing Keyboarding and Computer Skills
- Identify computer system components.
- Perform basic computer operations.
- Key alphabetic, numeric, and symbolic information, using a touch system and correct techniques.
- Manipulate data/software/operating system, using icons, touch screens, ribbons, and drop-down menus.
- Use file and data management techniques such as save and open.
- Improve keyboarding techniques.
- Improve keyboarding speed and accuracy.
- Edit copy.
- Maintain workstation, equipment, materials, and supplies.
- Key addresses on envelopes and/or labels.
- Format columns and tables.
- Format letters, memos, and reports from prepared, rough-draft, or student-composed materials.
- Use available resources, references, and tools to prepare documents.
- Describe ergonomic guidelines related to safe computer use.
- Troubleshoot computer problems (e.g., cable hookups, power sources, and operational supplies).
Developing Communication Skills
Using Telecommunications
Preparing for Industry Certification
- Describe the process and requirements for obtaining industry certifications related to the Office Specialist I–Preparation course.
- Identify testing skills/strategies for a certification examination.
- Demonstrate the ability to successfully complete selected practice examinations (e.g., practice questions similar to those on certification exams).
- Successfully complete an industry certification examination representative of skills learned in this course (e.g., MOS, IC3, NOCTI, Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth).