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General

The Manager, Government and Community Affairs reports to the Director, Government and Community Affairs and is responsible for strategic development and management of government and community relations with a primary focus on the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA), with additional work on San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) and the San Mateo County Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority (SMCEL-JPA). This position will focus on local agency, stakeholder, and community engagement and assist with regional, state, and federal efforts. 

Essential Functions & Duties

• Plan and execute robust, diverse, and inclusive broad-based communications and direct engagement with relevant communities; primary focus is capital construction projects for SMCTA, SamTrans, and SMCEL-JPA, secondary focus is engagement for strategic planning projects; work closely with technical staff and supervise consultant work.
• Lead GCA communications support for strategic planning and capital construction projects the SMCTA is providing technical assistance on.
• Build support for projects, manage agency relationships and lead engagement with residents and local stakeholders including elected officials, cities, business, and community groups.
• Monitor responses to projects and engage cross functional teams to ensure clear and timely communication on key policy, project, or planning goals and to respond to stakeholder and community requests and concerns.
• Provide strategic guidance to agency leadership and teams on areas ranging from community opposition to a specific project to Federal funding.
• Manage state and/or federal lobbyists, prepare the annual state and federal legislative program, and provide support for grant and other funding applications.
• Assist in overall departmental management including budgeting and department policy development.
• Supervise SamTrans/TA Government and Community Affairs staff.  Hire, mentor, and take appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action.  Ensure EEO policies and procedures are followed. Participate in the selection of staff.  Coordinate staff training and professional development. Establish performance objectives. Monitor and evaluate employee performance.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Develop and execute Public Outreach Plans for capital construction, strategic planning, and transportation tax revenue projects; lead cross-functional teams of staff and consultants; track deliverables and deadlines.
• Meet with stakeholders to identify questions and concerns; work with internal staff and consultants to develop appropriate responses and resolutions. 
• Work on development and execution of transportation funding revenue measures; coordinate with internal and external stakeholders; gather community feedback and identify key issues; manage consultant deliverables and deadlines. 
• Incorporate working with paid community-oriented groups into engagement process. 
• Represent agency both internally and externally; participate in meetings and present information.
• Write, review, edit, and approve collateral materials, including webpage content, presentations, fact sheets, project updates, work notices, and newsletters. 
• Manage staff and report progress on projects to Government and Community Affairs Director. 
• Evaluate job performance of staff which also includes the professional development of staff through the identification of on-the-job and other professional development opportunities.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect one’s self, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

The Procurement Division of the County Executive’s Office is seeking well-qualified candidates for the position of Buyer II. Under general supervision, a Buyer II provides a full range of detailed and complex procurement services for all county departments.

 

Examples of Duties:
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receive, review, and check purchase requisitions to determine needs of departments, market conditions, and product availability. 
• Consult and assist departments with product selection and procurement methods.
• Invite and accept bids, and evaluate prices, discounts, and delivery conditions. 
• Assist departments in the preparation of product specifications and contracts. 
• Analyze bids for conformance to specifications and award bids. 
• Interview with sales and manufacturers' representatives about products and services. 
• Investigate complaints and problems and make recommendations for solutions and/or adjustments. 
• Serve on various project teams and committees as required. 
• Prepare reports, recommendations, and correspondence. 
• Provide technical assistance to departments on the County's automated purchasing system. 
• Instruct departments on County procurement procedures and policies. 
• Perform related duties and special projects as assigned.

The ability to provide excellent customer service, engage in active listening to understand customer needs, and connect quickly with County personnel are critical to success in this position.

There are several other competencies, including technical, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational, which will be important for success in this role.

Procurement Expertise – In-depth knowledge of large-scale procurement practices and public agency procurement principles and familiarity with federal and state laws and regulations affecting procurement.

Commodity Knowledge – Understanding of commodity sources, marketing practices, and pricing strategies and experience with both formal and informal bidding processes.

Contract Management – Ability to develop and analyze product specifications, bids, and contracts.

Technical Proficiency – Skilled in the use of procurement-related computer programs and analytical tools.

Analytical Skills – Proficient in analyzing purchase requisitions and evaluating complex specifications and proposals.

Problem Solving – Ability to identify and resolve procurement issues swiftly and effectively.

Negotiation Skills – Capability to invite and evaluate bids and negotiate prices and terms with vendors.

Effective Communication – Strong oral and written communication skills for interacting with clients, vendors, and stakeholders, including the ability to write clear, concise reports and correspondence.

Relationship Management – Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with various stakeholders, including both internal customers and external vendors.  

Instruction and Guidance – Aptitude for providing technical assistance and instructing departments on procurement procedures.

Project Management – Ability to manage projects and contribute to various committees and project teams.

Adaptability – Works effectively in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities.

Qualifications:

Any combination of experiences that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  

• A typical way to qualify at the Buyer II level might be three years of experience that would demonstrate knowledge and command of complex commodity areas, and the principles, policies, and procedures of public agency procurement.

 
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, procedures, and applications of large-scale procurement. 
• Laws and regulations governing procurement policies and procedures in public agencies. 
• Procedures and requirements of governmental procurement. 
• Commodity sources of supply, trade, brand names, publications, and source material in the field of procurement.
• Procedures and practices of procurement using formal and informal bidding. 
• Sources of supply, marketing practices, and pricing methods and differentials. 
• Computer programs related to procurement and word processing.

 
Skill/Ability to:

• Analyze purchase requisitions and evaluate specifications, proposals, bids, and contracts for complex commodity areas and purchases. 
• Develop product specifications, bids, and contracts. 
• Solve problems efficiently. 
• Perform the necessary research and make informed decisions using all available information and resources. 
• Work in a fast-paced environment. 
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 
• Write clear, concise reports and correspondence. 
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with customers, vendors, and procurement team members.
• Ensure procurements are conducted in compliance of County procedures and policies. 

Application/Examination:

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply.  Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination. 

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.  
   

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%) which may include a performance exam. Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in County of San Mateo, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.  

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. 

Tentative Recruitment Schedule
Deadline for Applications:  January 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM
Application Screening:  January 14, 2026
Combined Panel and Departmental Interview:  January 27, 2026

The County Executive’s Office of the County of San Mateo is seeking highly qualified candidates for the position of Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board/ Administrative Assistant I.  
   
The mission of the Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) is to conduct fair and impartial property assessment appeal hearings in a timely and efficient manner for the property taxpayers of San Mateo County. The board’s objective is to ensure applicants’ properties are assessed at fair market value, in accordance with applicable law, based on properties similar in size and utility. The AAB consists of three part-time commissioners and the clerk. The mission-critical clerk’s position is fast-paced and demanding, characterized by extensive use of the computer and telephone to provide administrative support for the AAB and their associated proceedings.
   
The AAB acts on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and is independent from the County Assessor’s Office.

Examples of Duties

Duties of the Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide public notice of Appeals Board meetings.
• Respond to taxpayer inquiries regarding their application and Board hearing procedures.
• Ensure that the applications meet the legal requirements for completeness and timeliness and are submitted on the proper form.
• Maintain correspondence with the State Board of Equalization.
• Prepare meeting agendas and provide the information needed to the Board members for the hearings.
• Schedule and clerk the hearings.
• Record final decisions of the Appeals Board and notify all affected parties.
• Maintain copies of evidence presented at the hearings.
• Perform record keeping and maintain confidentiality of all records.
• Perform arithmetic calculations.
• Act as back-up for the receptionist and co-workers.
• Assist with various projects or activities as assigned.
• Maintain and purge files as required.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have proven organizational and time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines and handle time-sensitive matters.
• Possess strong analytical skills and have keen attention to detail.
• Maintain complete and accurate legal records.
• Produce quality work under fluctuating workloads with minimal supervision.
• Have proven proficiency in operating standard office software and equipment.
• Compose effective routine-to-complex correspondence.
• Effectively apply established procedures and codes, including property tax assessment guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other personnel and the public.  

The ideal candidate will also have worked as the Clerk for an Assessment Appeals Board or a similar board or will have worked in a similar capacity in a high-level office. The exceptional candidate will have knowledge of the methods used in the valuation of property for tax assessment purposes, California property tax laws, and the State Board of Equalization guidelines. 

This is a limited-term position. Limited-term positions are full-time, fully benefited, temporary positions. This current position is funded for up to three years, depending on the department’s needs.  Limited Term employees receive medical and dental benefits, like regular employees, and a defined contribution retirement plan (401-A).  
 
Information for current County employees: Current and regular County of San Mateo Employees who are interested in this assignment must submit application materials and compete in the selection process. If you are successful in the selection process and are being considered for the assignment, HR will work directly with you and/or your department for options. Please note there is no guarantee that you will be allowed by your department to rotate into this assignment nor is your department obligated to allow you to take on this assignment. The salary range for this position is "as is" and non-negotiable.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify could be four years of increasingly responsible administrative or clerical experience.

 
Knowledge of: 

• Modern office methods and equipment.
• Sub-professional accounting, bookkeeping, and fiscal procedures, if applicable.

Skill/Ability to:

• Learn, interpret, and apply the laws, regulations, codes, and guidelines governing the operations of the Assessment Appeals Board and the department. 
• Read and interpret legal records to determine property ownership and evaluate ownership declarations.
• Effectively apply established procedures and codes, including property tax assessment guidelines. 
• Organize and plan time efficiently for assessment appeals casework and Appeals Board hearings. 
• Compose routine-to-complex correspondence from brief instructions. 
• Use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines. 
• Work well independently, without close supervision.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions efficiently and effectively.
• Maintain complete and accurate legal records. 
• Effectively handle stressful interactions with others. 
• Perform detailed office support work, including, but not limited to, prioritizing work and coordinating several activities, organizing and maintaining files and records, operating standard office equipment, and making accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Multi-task effectively.
• Be a good listener, communicator, and problem-solver.
• Remain calm and professional under pressure.  

Ideal qualifying experience includes: 

• Acting as the clerk for government boards or commissions.
• Preparing and preserving the associated agendas, meeting minutes, and resulting documents. 
• Responding to a high volume of inquiries from individuals who have complex issues to resolve with those boards or commissions. 

Application/Examination

This is an Open recruitment.  Anyone may apply.

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
  
The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: Pass/Fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%).

Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in County of San Mateo, California and applicants must participate at their own expense. 
   
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the 'Apply' button above. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply.
  
~TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE~
Final Filing Date: January 2, 2026
Application Screening (Tentative): January 6 - 8, 2026
Panel Interviews (Tentative): January 21-22, 2026

San Mateo County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

Analyst: Chet Overstreet (12042025) (Administrative Assistant I - E029)