Administrative Staff Assistant

Salary : $69,432.00 - $85,716.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Monica, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 264001-01
Department: Various
Opening Date: 09/14/2026
Closing Date: 9/25/2026 5:00 PM Pacific


Job Summary
Only the first 200 most qualified applications received will be accepted for further consideration.

NOTE : The eligibility list that will be established from this recruitment will be used to fill any vacancies that occur throughout City departments during the life of the list. The current vacancy is in the Housing and Human Services Department.
DEFINITION
Performs more complex clerical work of an administrative nature which includes responsibility for recommending a course of action to management in specified areas; gathering and evaluating data; and preparing and evaluating a variety of fiscal records.
SUPERVISION
Works under the general supervision of a professional, supervisory or management employee, who outlines work assignments and periodically reviews work in progress and upon completion. May train and coordinate the work of other clerical, as-needed or temporary staff, as assigned.

Representative Duties
(Duties may vary depending on assignment)
Researches the less complex of administrative problems, conducts studies and surveys and produces reports recommending appropriate courses of action for solutions to problems.
Compiles various narrative and statistical agreements, statements and analyses, locates sources of information, devises forms to secure data and determines proper format of finished product; may assist an executive in carrying out an administrative function.
Interprets and applies rules, regulations and policies; revises, modifies and writes new policies and procedures; and keeps abreast of current developments, legal and otherwise in areas of specialty.
Acts as a resource to the public, City departments and other agencies on departmental programs and policies; assists in preparing and disseminating information on such and handles complaints and requests for information; prepares less complex reports, press releases, documents and correspondence and may make public presentations.
Prepares analytical reports on revenues and expenditures; compiles budget requests and recommends expenditure requests for designated accounts.
Performs difficult and complex clerical tasks including typing correspondence and reports; files and maintains materials; operates office equipment; processes forms, records and reports; responds to inquiries, requests and complaints and provides information, and/or makes referrals; arranges meetings and registers staff for conferences and prepares technical materials, as appropriate.
May represent supervisor at meetings.
Enters and reviews data and verifies input.
Performs other duties, as assigned.

Requirements
Knowledge of:
Basics of public administration

Report writing

Public relations and area(s) of specialization

Modern office procedures, practices and equipment

Business English, spelling, and punctuation

Simple mathematics

Purposes, methods and practices of technical and financial recordkeeping

Recordkeeping principles and procedures

Effective customer service techniques
Ability to:
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Analyze information and assists in finding solutions to administrative problems

Act as a resource to supervisory/staff and department personnel

Keep abreast of current developments in area(s) of specialty

Prepare financial reports

Follow oral and written instructions

Perform mathematical computations

Set up and maintain filing and other recordkeeping systems

Establish and monitor office procedures and practices

Work in an ongoing confidential relationship with one or more specified management or professional positions

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relations with City employees and the general public

Work with persons from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds as well as a variety of work styles, personalities, and approaches

Provide effective customer service
Skill in:
Typing at a corrected speed of 25 words per minute

The use of a personal computer and various software applications
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Graduation from high school or the equivalent.
Experience: Four years of recent, paid increasingly responsible work experience preparing and maintaining administrative, financial, fiscal, and statistical records and/or reports and performing other administrative, accounting, or related duties.. An associate's degree (or 60 semester units at an accredited college or university) may substitute for one year of the required experience.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is typically performed in a home or work office environment in accordance with the City's Hybrid Workplace policy. Office work may require sitting for prolonged periods of time and using a calculator and/or computer keyboard, mouse and screen. Physical demands include standing, kneeling, bending, reaching and grasping. May be required to work a flexible schedule including late nights and/or weekends during periods of peak workload.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply:
Applicants must submit a completed on-line City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. If you do not submit your on-line application by the filing deadline, you will not be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.
Note: Applicants who indicate that they completed college-level coursework or earned a degree from a foreign institution may be required to provide U.S. credential equivalency verification. Diploma or transcript copies must still be attached for all applicants. To verify degrees from international universities, you may use the IAU database of international institutions at If the school is not listed, applicants must still provide U.S. credential equivalency verification.

SELECTION PROCESS: All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding their qualifications for the position. All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.


Testing may consist of the following and is subject to change as needs dictate: - Practical Test: Qualifying (Typing/Keyboarding, Microsoft Word and Excel)
- Written Examination
NOTE: If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS :
Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation. The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly-talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!

Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call View phone number on click.appcast.io, TDD View phone number on click.appcast.io (Hearing Impaired Only).

Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.
The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.
01


Do you possess a High School diploma or a GED?

• Yes
• No

02


For the classification of Administrative Staff Assistant, an associate's degree or 60 semester units from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the required experience. If you intend to use a combination of education and work experience to qualify for this position, you must submit a copy of your college level transcripts or college diploma by attaching it to your application. Applicants who indicate that they completed college-level coursework or earned a degree from a foreign institution may be required to provide U.S. credential equivalency verification. All applicants must still attach diploma or transcript copies. To verify degrees from international universities, you may use the IAU database of international institutions at: Please copy and paste the link for verification. If the school is not listed, applicants must still provide U.S. credential equivalency verification. Failure to do so may result in your application being disqualified or your education not being considered as a substitute for one year of the required experience. Do you wish to use the completion of an associate's degree or 60 semester units from an accredited college or university to substitute for one year of the required experience?

• Yes
• No

03


Describe your recent, paid increasingly responsible work experience preparing and maintaining administrative, financial, fiscal, and statistical records and/or reports and performing other administrative, accounting or related duties. In your response, be sure to describe your specific responsibilities as well as the name of the organization(s) in which you acquired this experience. If you have no such experience, please indicate N/A.
04


Administrative Staff Assistant positions require demonstration of a minimum typing speed of 25 wpm using a computer keyboard. Have you taken a typing test with the City of Santa Monica within the last twelve (12) months? If 'YES' please list the name of the position you tested for and the exam date. If 'NO', please indicate N/A.
05


Do you have a typing certificate issued within the last twelve (12) months? NOTE: If you would like for your typing certificate to be considered, candidates must provide proof of required typing skill of 25 wpm net (gross minus number of errors). You must attach the typing certificate to this application. The typing certificate must be five minutes in length and dated no later than one year prior to the final filing date listed on the job announcement. If you do not have a valid, recent typing certificate, a typing exam will be administered to you should you pass the application process.

• Yes
• No

06


Please describe an administrative system/process that you have created (or improved). Include in your description your planning, documentation, implementation, and the benefits of the new system/process. If you have no such experience, please indicate N/A.
07


Please list the computer software you have experience using. In your response, be sure to include the following: the name and brief description of the software, the tasks or projects you have completed using the software, and the most advanced functions you have utilized within the software. If you have no such experience, please indicate N/A.
Required Question