Administrative Secretary II (Departmental Promotional Only)

Salary : $72,467.20 - $90,542.40 Annually
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: E002AG
Department: County Executive's/Clerk of the Board
Division: Project Development Unit
Opening Date: 03/03/2025
Closing Date: 3/17/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 37

Description
The County Executive's Office is looking for well-qualified candidates for the position of Administrative Secretary II. This is a Departmental Promotional Only recruitment.
The Administrative Secretary II will provide varied secretarial and office administrative assistance to the Project Development Unit and to the associated supervisory, project management, and professional staff. This position requires the use of discretion in determining alternatives from well-defined guides in relieving management of routine administrative details.
In this position, general guidelines for work are normally established by the division manager and/or supervisor, however, many day-to-day activities require the use of initiative and independent judgment, particularly when prioritizing work from several staff members or when working with a variety of County staff and representatives of the public.

Examples Of Duties
Duties for this position may include, but are not limited to:

• Receive and screen visitors and telephone calls; provide accurate information which may require the interpretation and application of policies and procedures; take messages or refer the caller to the appropriate person.
• Research and compile a variety of informational materials from sources both inside and outside the office.
• Open and sort incoming mail and attach pertinent back-up materials; process outgoing mail as required.
• Type drafts and a wide variety of finished documents from notes, minutes of meetings, brief instructions, or printed materials; input or retrieve data or prepare reports using an on-line or personal computer system.
• Initiate specified correspondence independently for signature by appropriate supervisory or professional staff; review finished materials for completeness, accuracy, format, compliance with policies and procedures, and appropriate English usage.
• Organize and maintain various departmental files and purge files as requested.
• Follow up on projects, transmit information, and keep informed of unit activities.
• Schedule and arrange meetings, reserve meeting rooms, and prepare agendas and summarize meeting results as required.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
• Order and maintain supplies.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Employment in the County Executive's Office. This is a Departmental Promotional Only recruitment. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the County Executive's Office with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply.
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:

• Two years of general clerical or office support experience.

Knowledge of:

• Standard office administrative and secretarial practices and procedures, including filing and business letter writing.
• The operation of common office equipment, including a personal or on-line computer.
• Policies and procedures related to the Project Development Unit and the County Executive's Office.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
• Record keeping principles and practices.

Skill/Ability to:

• Provide varied secretarial and office administrative assistance to management, supervisory, and professional staff.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Compose correspondence independently or from brief instructions.
• Organize and maintain accurate records and files.
• Make arithmetic calculations with speed and accuracy.
• Operate standard office equipment, including a personal or on-line computer and multi-line telephone equipment.

Application/Examination
Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the County Executive's Office with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply.
The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire. 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 San Mateo County, 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 Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
Recruitment Schedule

Final Filing Date: March 17, 2025

Application Screening: March 19-25, 2025

Combined Civil Service and Departmental Panel Interviews (tentative): April 2-3, 2025
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.
Analyst: Chet Overstreet (03032025) (Administrative Secretary II - E002)
Please visit for a complete listing of all benefits for this classification.
Benefits are offered to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. All benefits are subject to change.
NOTE: Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 may be subject to new Pension Reform retirement laws.
As an additional benefit, the County offers extensive training and development programs designed to improve skills and enhance career opportunities. Most programs are offered on County time at no cost to you.
County employees are also covered by the federal Social Security system and earn benefits for retirement based on salary and time worked.
01

NOTE: Applicants for this position are required to submit a response to the supplemental question below. Your response will give us additional information about your background and experience related to this position and will be used in the selection process. Be concise, yet thorough, and specific. Neatness, clarity of expression, and the ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your response. I have read and understand this information.

• Yes
• No

02

Describe how your education, training, and experience have prepared you for the position of Administrative Secretary II in the Project Development Unit.
Required Question