Assistant County Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $62,504.00 - $78,104.00 Annually
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Various
Job Number: E368AN
Department: Countywide
Opening Date: 05/09/2025
Bargaining Unit: 37
Description
NOTE: This recruitment was amended on July 29, 2026 to put the recruitment on hold. Applications are not being accepted at this time. We will begin accepting applications on August 25, 2026, and close on September 22, 2026.
This job classification is the senior, most experienced level in the Public Services Specialist clerical series. It is not an entry level position. Public Services Specialists are employed Countywide and provide office support as department receptionists. Typically, they are the first person in the departments contacted by callers and visitors. Duties include using a multi-line telephone system; greeting and screening individuals by telephone and in person; taking messages; giving directions and answering questions regarding County services sometimes under difficult, strained and stressful circumstances; providing specific information regarding the functions and activities related to the department to which assigned; receiving, sorting and forwarding mail to office staff within a department; ordering office supplies; maintaining logs and calendars; may serve as a back-up for clerical workers who are absent from the office; and may occasionally perform a variety of routine or specialized office support tasks as assigned.
The ideal candidates must be able to adapt to frequent interruptions, speak in a clear, concise, courteous and cheerful manner; use appropriate initiative, sound judgment and tact to handle sensitive discussions and interactions with others; relate well with individuals of diverse ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds; handle tension-filled situations effectively; and work well under stress.
NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Deal with County visitors and callers who may have significant problems, require specialized services, or in situations where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Determine the nature of the visit or the problem and explain detailed policies, procedures and regulations related to the department to which assigned.
• Direct the visitor to the proper office or person.
• Answer the telephone for a County office or offices; determine the nature of the call; direct callers to the proper person or take messages.
• Perform varied specialized or technical office support work, such as arranging for prisoner transportation or visitors, completing intake forms for service, accepting and receiving specialized documents such as parcel maps, maintaining files or receiving or providing legal or County documents.
• May log calls, assist in placing long-distance or other calls, or assist County staff in using telephone equipment special applications.
• Make a preliminary check to determine the cause of telephone malfunctions; notify the proper repair staff or service.
• Perform a variety of basic office support duties such as collating materials, distributing incoming mail, preparing materials for mailing, completing forms, proofreading typed or printed materials, and/or typing correspondence reports and other materials.
• Keep appraised of office activities and functions in order to communicate this information to the public.
• May instruct other office staff in the use of telephone equipment.
• May provide relief and assistance for other office support assignments.
• Provide off hours services as required.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Bilingual Fluency: Some positions may require bilingual skills. Fluency in both English and Spanish is required to be considered for a bilingual position.
Knowledge of:

• Policies and procedures related to the department to which assigned.
• Techniques for dealing with the public, in person and over the telephone, often when relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Proper spoken and written business English.
• Office practices and procedures, including the operation of standard office equipment.
• Basic business arithmetic.
• Basic computer user principles and applications.

Skill/Ability to:

• Deal tactfully and effectively with County callers and visitors under difficult and/or strained circumstances.
• Determine the nature of a call or visit and recommend appropriate actions or solutions.
• Use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Interpret, apply and explain complex rules, policies and procedures.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Perform detailed and specialized clerical work accurately, including making accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Type with sufficient speed and accuracy to complete forms and prepare basic correspondence and records.
• Operate a multi-line telephone system.

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 is equivalent to either:

• One year receptionist and telephone operations experience or two years general clerical experience in a business office.

Application/Examination
Open and 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 position 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.
The examination will consist of a standard, multiple-choice Civil Service Computer-Based Written Examination (weight:100%).
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
Qualified applicants will be notified via email, which will include the link to take the computer-based Written Exam. Please make sure to read your notices carefully. Accommodations for special medical conditions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Applications Received through August 25, 2026 - September 22, 2026
Written Exam Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 - Wednesday, October 6, 2026
About the 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.
HR Contact: Jennifer Reyes (05092025) (Public Services Specialist - E368)
We invite you to explore our page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)
In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.
As a County employee, you'll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.
01
IMPORTANT: Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the following supplemental questions. Your responses will give us additional information about your background and experience related to this position and will be used in the selection process. Be concise and specific. Neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses to these questions.

• I have read and understand these instructions.

02
Describe your experience assisting customers over the telephone and in person, taking messages, maintaining logs and/or calendars and providing information to members of the public.
03
Describe how you organize your work to ensure that you meet all deadlines while maintaining accuracy.
04
If you are bilingual, please list any language(s) other than English in which you are fluent. Also, if you have used your bilingual skills in a work setting, please provide a brief description of that experience. (If you are not bilingual, please answer this question with "N/A". Bilingual skills are not required for this position.)
05
County of San Mateo departments sometimes need extra-help workers in addition to permanent employees. Extra Help positions offer temporary part-time or temporary full-time employment for 1040 hours (which equates to working full-time for approximately six months). However, employment might end sooner depending on the needs of the hiring departments. Extra Help positions are paid on an hourly rate basis. Some extra help positions are eligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Extra-help workers are not guaranteed permanent status at the end of the extra-help assignment. Are you interested in extra-help employment? (A "No" answer to this question will not affect your application for permanent employment.)

• Yes
• No

06
How did you learn about this position?

• County of San Mateo Website
• County of San Mateo Job Interest Card Notification
• County Hosted Virtual Event
• County Hosted Job Fair
• CalOpps.org
• College/University Career Center
• Community-based Organization Posting
• Facebook/Instagram
• Friend or Relative
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Professional Publication/Website (Please specify in next question)
• X (formerly called Twitter)
• Zip Recruiter
• Other (Please specify in next question)

07
If you answered, "Professional Publication/Website" or "Other" to the above question, please indicate below how you learned about this position. Your response to this question will help us in better marketing County jobs. Type NA if not applicable.
Required Question