Administrative Office Assistant III

Salary: $22.92 - $27.86 Hourly
Location : Modesto, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: AOAIII2026
Department: Multiple Departments
Opening Date: 06/12/2026
Closing Date: 6/26/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: MCEA


The Position
Join the City of Modesto as an Administrative Office Assistant III and make a difference in your community! We're looking for dedicated journey-level clerical professionals ready to contribute to essential city operations. Enjoy competitive benefits, a supportive work environment, and the opportunity to grow your career while serving the public.

Upcoming Salary Increases and Incentives: 3% COLA effective 7/1/2026

2.5% Education Incentive - Bachelor's Degree

5% Education Incentive - Master's Degree

Application Process

Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is the most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application with the words "SEE RESUME."

Applicants considered to be the most qualified will be invited to continue in the testing process. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City.


Tentative Testing Schedule

Online Exam

July 1, 2026 - July 8, 2026

The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. A City application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire. The City of Modesto does not sponsor H-1B Visas. Salary offered depends on candidate's experience.

Essential and Marginal Function Statements
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Functions :
Research and assemble moderately complex information from a variety of sources for the completion of forms or the preparation of reports.
Perform various technical processing, generating, and collecting of forms, applications, permits, payments, invoices, refunds, or procedures requiring in-depth knowledge of the department's functions.
Provide lead direction, training, and work review to administrative support staff; set priorities, assign, and monitor task completion to ensure coordination and completion of assigned work.
Make arithmetical or routine statistical computations that may include payroll preparation; may serve as timekeeper and review timecards for accuracy.
Answer questions and provide information to the public, outside agencies, and City staff requiring the use of judgment in the application of policies, rules, or procedures.
Schedule, maintain calendars, prepare agendas, attend, and take minutes of a variety of internal and external meetings.
Perform a variety of support duties related to the work unit to assist management staff in complex clerical office activities; schedule and track trainings.
Assist in the administration of applicable programs as needed; assist in resolving issues and implementing necessary changes.
Establish, organize, and maintain complex departmental filing systems; maintain administrative records for assigned programs.
Type complex and sensitive correspondence, reports, forms, and specialized documents from drafts, notes, dictated tapes, or brief instructions; may compose routine correspondence and brief reports.
Type, proofread, review, and process various documents and materials, including for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with departmental policies and regulations.
Collect, compile, and enter data from computer systems, including generating reports, advising others on routine system operations, and tracking projects.
May assist with tracking, monitoring, and verifying the accuracy of expenditures.
Attend to a variety of office administrative details such as ordering supplies, arranging for the repair of equipment, transmitting information, and keeping reference materials up to date.
May act as a receptionist, receiving, screening and directing callers, and making appointments.
Review reports for accuracy and make corrections.
Operate a wide variety of standard office equipment.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.
Marginal Functions:
Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of administrative support activities.
Practices and procedures of filing systems management.
Formats and materials for typed materials.
Basic business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Policies, procedures, processes, and forms related to the department to which assigned.
Applicable programs, processes, and workflows.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Ability to:
Provide training and lead direction to others.
Organize, prioritize, and coordinate work activities.
Read and apply laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Determine appropriate communications and forms to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and procedures.
Organize, research, and maintain office files.
Respond tactfully and effectively with those contacted in the course of the work.
Make and interpret arithmetical calculations and formulas with speed and accuracy.
Compose routine correspondence from brief instructions.
Use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
Maintain awareness of issues and record and communicate issues to various departments and management staff.
Type or perform word processing at speed necessary for successful job performance.
Collect, compile, run, and interpret pertinent reports and data.
Research and resolve errors and report discrepancies

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
Experience and Training Guidelines:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
Experience:
Two years of general clerical experience of which one year must have been at the journey level;

or
One year of experience with the City of Modesto as an Administrative Office Assistant II.
Training:
High School diploma or GED equivalency.
Completion of vocational or college level course work in business administration or a related field is desirable.

Physical and Mental Requirements
Mobility : frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting. Lifting : frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds. Vision : constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. Dexterity : frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking : frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. Emotional/Psychological : frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental : frequent exposure to noise.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Some positions may be assigned to remote locations. Positions may require occasional overtime or weekend work and travel is rare.
Modesto City Employee Association (MCEA)

Employee benefits are subject to change and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect please see the Memoranda of Understanding.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM: CalPERS enrollment in either the 2% @ 60 or the 2% @ 62 formula is dependent on eligibility, as per AB 340. Employee pays the full member contribution. Retirement benefit is based on the employees three year final compensation average. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the required 1.45% Medicare contribution by both the City and the employee (applies to employees hired after 4-1-86).

HOLIDAYS: 12 paid holidays per year plus 8 hours of holiday credit.

VACATION: Accrual normally begins at a rate of two weeks per year, with incremental increases to five weeks at 21 years of service. Employees may accumulate up to twice their annual accrual.

SICK LEAVE: Accumulated at 8 hours per month, 96 hours per year. Employees may accumulate up to 2,100 hours.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: Health, dental and vision coverage is provided. The City's monthly contribution to health, dental and vision benefits is based on a three-tier system as follows:
$ 2,110.00 Employee + Family
$ 1,494.00 Employee + 1 Dependent
$ 748.00 Employee Only
$ 450.00 Opt Out
The employee pays the balance. An employee who opts out of health coverage receives the amount noted above minus dental and vision premium on their paycheck and treated as taxable income. Dental and vision coverage continuation is available upon retirement.

LIFE INSURANCE: Coverage in the amount of $20,000 is provided by the City. Supplemental coverage is available at employee cost.

DISABILITY INSURANCE: coverage is provided by the City, at City cost. This benefit pays 66 2/3% of the first $12,000 per month in salary.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: With a matching contribution by the employee, the City will contribute 1% of salary, (increasing to 2% after 15 years of service) to a voluntary 457 Plan.

RETIREE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (RHS): $2,880 initial deposit provided upon completion of a two (2) year vesting period. After initial contribution, the City shall contribute $130 per month.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to employees and dependents. Plan provides up to 3 counseling visits per incident, at City expense.

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Bachelor's degree pays in the amount of 2.5% of salary and Master's degree pays in the amount of 5% of salary.


BILINGUAL INCENTIVE LEAVE: Employees who pass a review panel and are needed in this capacity by the department, will receive 3 hours of Bilingual Leave Time per pay period into their Compensatory Time Off (CTO) balance.

UNIFORM AND UNIFORM ALLOWANCE PROGRAM: is provided for some positions.

ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM is provided for some positions.

LONGEVITY PAY: 2.5% of salary at 10 years of service.

SECTION 125 PLAN: Providing for pre-tax deductions for employee-paid health premium and dependent care costs.
01


I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following Supplemental Questions. I understand these responses must match the information I provide in the Work Experience and Education sections of my application. I certify that all information provided on this application and the Supplemental Questions is true to the best of my knowledge.

• Yes

02


How many years of experience as an Administrative Office Assistant II with the City of Modesto do you have?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - less than 2 years
• 2 - less than 3 years
• 3 years or more

03


How many years of journey level clerical experience do you have?

• None - less than 1 year
• 1 year - less than 2 years
• 2 years - less than 3 years
• 3 or more

04


Do you possess a high school diploma or GED equivalency?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have work experience in the following areas? (Select all that apply)

• None
• Community/Economic Development
• Construction/Engineering/Land Development
• Fire Department/District
• Law/Attorney Office
• Parks/Recreation
• Police/Law Enforcement
• Public Works/Transportation/Streets Maintenance/Forestry
• Utilities/Water/Wastewater

06


Have you completed any vocational or college-level coursework in business administration?

• Yes
• No

07


Please describe the coursework you have completed as indicated above. If none, list "N/A."
Required Question