Location
Description
Midpen is seeking a bright and energetic self-starter with a passion for the outdoors and preserving open space to join our team as our next top-level Executive Assistant/Deputy District Clerk! If you’re a seasoned administrative support professional with experience supporting executive management or a high-level official with a wide variety of complex, responsible, and confidential administrative tasks, including clerk’s office experience, then this is an excellent opportunity for your next career move!
ABOUT MIDPEN
Midpen helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of public open space with more than 250 miles of trails in 27 extraordinary preserves, permanently protected for natural resource conservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Midpen is a public agency with a focused mission that guides our work, and where every employee makes an impact. If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the legacy of open space protection, natural resource restoration and outdoor recreation, working with an incredible team of like-minded colleagues, we invite you to apply for this position! At Midpen, we believe open space is for all. Our public lands are shared spaces provided for the community by the community. All people, regardless of background, deserve respect, dignity, safety, and a sense of belonging. Midpen welcomes all people to enjoy the public open space preserves we hold in trust, supporting the mental, physical, and social well-being of our region.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Executive Assistant/Deputy District Clerk independently performs a full range of highly responsible, confidential, and complex administrative duties to a small team of Executives. Additionally, this classification supports the District Clerk in preparing and delivering the District Board agenda packets, meeting notices, resolutions, and related materials; coordinating District election processes; provides administrative support maintaining the District’s records management system; attends Board and Committee meetings and facilitates streaming technology; and functions as the District Clerk in their absence. You will be part of a high-performing and dynamic team. They are a small, hardworking team, consistent work product, great attitude, and fantastic customer service for both external and internal customers who work directly to supports Midpen’s mission to protect and restore the natural environment and contributes to providing nature’s benefits to everyone.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Highly qualified candidates have experience working in a fast-paced environment and have superb interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, meticulous attention to detail and outstanding follow through, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to meet critical deadlines. Other central qualities, knowledge, and skills include:
- A go-getter who has a strong desire to provide high quality executive-level support.
- Experience in core areas of the Clerk’s Office.
- Team oriented with exceptional collaboration skills.
- Ability to produce high quality work under pressure and strict deadlines.
- Demonstrated experience in keeping strict confidence and using the upmost discretion and professionalism.
- Demonstrated experience interacting and creating strong, positive relationships with various stakeholders, including staff, the public, and the Board of Directors.
- Demonstrated patience in all interactions and the ability to handle difficult situations and people in a diplomatic manner.
- Proficient in managing multiple executive calendars.
- The ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions.
- Thorough knowledge and skill in utilizing a variety of technology.
- Ability to work evenings for board meetings/committee meetings, which will include taking minutes and public comment.
- Knowledge of the applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances relevant to this position of responsibility, including but not limited to laws regarding the Public Records Act, Brown Act, Political Reform Act, the Government Code, and Elections Code.
- Prior experience in the public sector is highly desired.
View the full Job Description on our website.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The Executive Assistant/Deputy District Clerk will be required to attend evening Board/Committee meetings. Meetings may be held in Los Altos or offsite. This position is part of the General Manager’s office at Midpen’s office in Los Altos, California. Midpen offers a hybrid office/telecommute work environment for this position.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
- Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by two (2) years of college-level coursework in business or secretarial science and
- Three (3) years of responsible secretarial experience involving assisting executive management or a high-level officials with administrative duties.
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
BENEFITS
Midpen provides an excellent benefits package including health, life & disability insurance as well as CalPERS pension. Please see the Benefits page on our website for details.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Apply online at: CalOpps.org
Deadline to apply: October 12, 2025
Required application items*:
1. Fully completed CalOpps employment application
2. Cover letter
3. Resume
4. Supplemental question responses
* applications without these required items will not be considered.
INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
(Dates are subject to change. We are unable to accommodate individual schedules.)
First Interview (virtual): October 23, 2025
Written Exercise (virtual): October 28, 2025
Second Interview (in person): November 5, 2025
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Benefits
Retirement Plan – CalPERS 2.5% @ 55 for Classic Members; 2.0% @ 62 for PEPRA Members.
Social Security – District does not participate in Social Security; however, it does pay toward Medicare.
457 Deferred Compensation Plan - optional
Medical Plan – choice of HMO or PPO plans through CalPERS – District contributes towards insurance premiums.
Dental Plan - Delta Dental – District paid.
Vision Plan – VSP – District paid.
Flexible Spending Plan – optional pre-tax,
· Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
· Medical Reimbursement Account
Life and AD&D Insurance – District paid.
Employee Assistance Program –District paid.
Vacation – starts at 15 days per year.
Personal Leave – 36 hours of leave per year.
Holidays – 12 paid holidays per year.
Sick Leave – 12 days per year – no cap on accumulation; may be used for Family Sick Leave.
Special Instructions
Midpen will notify you via email:
- When your online application was successfully submitted, and
- With the status of your application (after all applications have been reviewed)
If you do not see these two emails, please first check your spam/promos folders. If you still have not received our emails, contact us at hr@openspace.org and we will research the status of your application.
To avoid missing our email communication regarding your status in this recruitment, add mpropenspace@calopps.org to your contacts or list of safe senders.