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DEFINITION

Under general supervision, provides a wide variety of administrative and secretarial support within the City Manager’s office or another City department; coordinates office activities; and, performs other related work for an assigned department/division as required.

 

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This class is distinguished from the Administrative Assistant series by the former requiring a broader understanding of City functions, and a greater emphasis on preserving the confidentiality of sensitive information and the performance of highly technical assignment involving functions of the assigned department.

 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receive supervision from the City Manager/Deputy City Manager or Department Head/Manager. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. 

 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (illustrative only) Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Receives and screens visitors and telephone calls, providing factual information which may require the interpretation of City policies and procedures; takes messages or refers the caller to the appropriate person. 

• Provide administrative support for the entire department (e.g. distribute and send mail, postings, arrange food and beverages, and set up and take down meetings, etc.)

• Researches, synthesizes, and compiles data for informational purposes, projects, or special reports or summaries.

• Implements and manages department filing system including records retention schedules both electronic and physical.

• Maintains confidential office files, records, and indexes.

• Schedules appointments, makes travel arrangements, maintains calendars and arranges and coordinates meetings and events.

• Prepares purchase requisitions, maintains records of purchase, and processes invoices.

• Perform data collection, analysis, and entry.

• Prepares charts, reports and/or narrative summaries.

• Accurately drafts and prepares letters, contracts, agendas, documents, memos, meeting minutes, reports, and correspondence.

• May attend a variety of meetings with City staff, contractors, vendors, representatives of other governmental and/or regulatory agencies and the public, to identify, discuss and/or resolve problems.

• Coordinates purchasing and ordering supplies; contacts vendors; obtains the best terms and prices; arranges for delivery; and processes paperwork for payment.

• May assist in the development and administration of the annual program and/or departmental budget.

• When assigned to the City Manager’s office, supporting the City Clerk in preparing, routing for signature, and scanning City documents. 

• Prepare and plan for special events.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system. To apply for this position please visit Council Assistant FT/PT – Council District Offices (D2, D6, D10) | Job Details tab | Career Pages

 

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

About the Department

The City of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley, is one of the nation's best managed cities and one of the top ten cities in which to live, work and do business. Moreover, San José is the center of cultural government and economic activity for the region. The employees of the City of San José have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect and Celebration.
 
The San José City Council consists of ten Councilmembers elected by district and a Mayor elected at-large, each for four-year terms. The Mayor and Council are responsible for representing the residents of San José, providing accountability, reviewing public policy and programs, and adopting those policies which best meet the needs of the residents, visitors, and businesses in San José.

Position Duties

The Council District Offices 2, 6, and 10 are up for election this year. The incoming elected officials will be recruiting for positions. The Council Assistant position serves as a liaison to the elected official and will regularly represent the Council District office at City-related meetings and functions. The position provides support with policy analysis, research, communication, event planning, community outreach, and other related matters as needed. The position requires an employee with strong and effective organizational skills; detail oriented and ability to handle multiple assignments; excellent written and oral communications skills, and the ability to develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with community members and neighborhood organizations, key stakeholders, and City staff. It would be highly desirable for the successful candidate to have experience and knowledge of policy as well as event planning. Bilingual language skills (Vietnamese, Spanish, and/or Chinese), both oral and written, are desirable, but not required.

Responsibilities for the position may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Represents the elected official at neighborhood or community meetings and activities, City-related boards/commission meetings and other meetings with government agencies, private industry, and related meetings. 
• Provides legislative support (legislative and policy research, responding to stakeholder inquiries, etc.) to the elected official.
• Gathers background information relative to issues pending before the City Council.
• Analyzes a wide variety of materials on assigned projects, programs, and topics.
• Provides communication support such as drafting correspondence, preparing memoranda or reports which articulate the elected official’s proposals, priorities, and positions on matters pending before the City Council or other governmental agencies.
• Assists in preparation of speeches, articles, or other communications for the elected official. 
• Responds to a variety of constituent inquiries, resolving complaints, and interpreting operating policies for residents of the community and other interested parties.
• Plans, coordinates, and leads community meetings and special events.
• May provide training and supervision of interns and volunteers.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as required.

Employees in this classification are not members of the classified civil service and appointment would be on a contract “at-will” basis and is for a specified period of time to be determined by the appointing elected official and does not extend past the end of the elected official's term. Candidates must be willing to work evenings and weekends on occasion, and as exempt management employees, are not eligible for overtime compensation. This unclassified position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income and business positions.