Special Assistant to the City Manager

Job Title

Under general supervision, performs a variety of professional administrative functions supporting the City Manager; researches, analyzes and prepares recommendations on a variety of issues; completes special projects; and performs other related duties.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The following essential functions are those that are critical, integral, necessary, crucial, primary and fundamental to the job. Incumbents who possess the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position are expected to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation. The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Assigns and monitors special projects from the City Manager, complaints and other assignments to staff or other departments for completion, and follows-up as needed to ensure timely response.
• Responds to complaints and requests for information; provides information to other supervisors or managers and organizations; researches issues, takes appropriate corrective action, recommends solutions or refers issue to appropriate government agency.
• Researches, investigates, analyzes and prepares recommendations on a variety of issues including, but not limited to, proposals for new programs, grants or services, complaints, process improvement and departmental operations.
• Assists with the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area; establishes appropriate service and staffing levels within City policy; allocates resources accordingly.
• Coordinates and assists with City-wide legislative initiatives.
• Coordinates and conducts special projects as assigned by the City Manager; serves as project manager or participates as a team member in special projects.
• Attends and participates in City Council and/or other meetings as assigned.
• Attends various civic events as City representative; participates on a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public administration.
• Composes, reviews, edits and approves correspondence and periodic reports of departmental activity.
• Maintains and enforces all aspects of security and confidentiality of records and information.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Public Administration or related field, AND three (3) years' experience performing research, complex analysis, or executive-level administrative support; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Possession of a Master's degree in Business or Public Administration or related field is preferred.

Required Licenses or Certifications: Must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License.

Required Knowledge of: City organization, operations, departmental policies and procedures. City Code, City Ordinances, Standard Operating Manual and applicable Memoranda of Understanding. Public administration, organization and systems theory. Organizational and management practices applicable to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs. Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management. Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration. Customer service protocol.

Required Skill in: Coordinating and performing a variety of professional administrative functions. Collecting, organizing, analyzing and presenting data and information. Researching and preparing correspondence, agendas, reports and various types of documents. Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands. Coordinating special projects in support of departmental operations. Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software. Effective communication and presentation, both verbal and written. Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, the general public, elected officials and others encountered in the course of work.

Physical Demands / Work Environment: Work is performed indoors in an office setting. Work requires frequent light lifting, carrying and on occasion driving. Moderate finger dexterity and near vision is required. May be exposed to minor amounts of dust.

Internal applicants must use their personal email to apply, as City of Compton work emails will not be accepted for job applications. While we cannot prevent applicants from using their work email, the City is not responsible for missed communications due to system outages, firewall restrictions, employee leave, or any other technical or accessibility issues affecting City email accounts.

All applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for the position and submit all required documents -such as licenses, certifications, and proof of education- outlined in the job posting. Incomplete applications, including those missing any required documentation, will not be considered. Please note: Only the first 50 applications received that meet the qualifications and needs of the department will be invited to continue in the hiring process.

The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list from which vacant position(s) may be filled. Phase one (1) is a written examination (weighted 50%) which will measure all or portions of the above knowledge, and skills. Phase two (2) is an oral examination (weighted 50%) that will be administered by an appraisal panel to evaluate professional qualifications, background and suitability. The examination process may include graded simulation exercises, writing exercises, and/or oral presentations. A passing score for each phase is 70%. Each candidate will be notified via mail or e-mail. The City of Compton reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods, if deemed necessary. Failure in one phase of the examination shall be grounds for declaring the applicant as failing in the entire examination, and as disqualified for subsequent parts of an examination.

The City of Compton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or provisions of services. Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must give advanced notice to the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date.

Recruitment may be conducted on a (a) promotional basis, (b) open-competitive basis, or (c) promotional and open-competitive basis simultaneously. All candidates who attain an overall score of at least 70.00 (open-competitive) and at least 75.00 (promotional) will be placed in rank order on the relevant eligible list(s).

All permanent City employees that attain an overall score of at least 75.00 will be placed on both the promotional eligible list and the open-competitive eligible list. All City employees that attain a score of 70.00 on EACH PHASE of the examination but an overall score of less than 75.00 will be placed on the open-competitive eligible list only. Each eligible list shall remain in effect one (1) year from the date of its establishment unless it is extended, abolished or exhausted. Whenever possible, three (3) names are certified to fill any one (1) vacant position. No candidate may be certified more than three (3) times for any one classified position. When certifying eligible lists to appointing powers, the promotional eligible list takes precedence over the open-competitive eligible list. A department manager's recommendation for employment is subject to the City Manager's approval.

A candidate may, within five (5) days after taking the written examination, file in writing with the City Manager an appeal against any part of the test, citing the item or items against which the appeal is directed, and the reason(s) for such appeal. The Personnel Board will consider appeals from the decisions and ratings of qualifications appraisals (interview) boards if such appeals meet the conditions described in the Personnel Rules and Regulations (Section 6.8).

All examination papers, including the employment application, resume, and other attachments submitted by candidates are the property of the Personnel Board and are confidential records which may be open to inspection only for purposes and under conditions established by the Personnel Board.

In all entrance examinations (open-competitive only) for positions in the Classified Service, veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States during time(s) of war, and who attain an overall passing score in the examination are allowed additional preferential credit in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations. In order to claim veterans' credit, the applicant must submit proof of service and honorable discharge (showing specific dates of service) on a U.S. Military form (DD-214) at the time of application or not later than the final filing date for the examination.

The City's comprehensive fringe benefits program includes: retirement (Public Employees' Retirement System), medical, dental, life and vision insurances, deferred compensation, sick and vacation leaves, after-hours education reimbursement, ride share program, uniform allowance and other provisions.