Counter Specialist

Counter Specialist

The City of San Gabriel is recruiting for Counter Specialist position in the Public Works Department. This position provides an exceptional opportunity for the ideal candidate to continue their career with our historic "City with a Mission." A career with the City of San Gabriel offers excellent pay and benefits, an array of work experiences, outstanding training and development opportunities, and a great location for living and working in Southern California.

The ideal candidate has a well-developed administrative skill set, is detail-oriented, is personable, has outstanding communication skills, and is committed to providing excellent customer service. The ideal candidate also has a strong work ethic, has outstanding judgment and interpersonal tact, is innovative, follows and interprets directions well, is technically astute and proficient with computer-based work programs, and can complete multiple projects under pressure and on time. Most importantly, the ideal candidate is a consummate professional who exemplifies outstanding public service.

Under general supervision, the Counter Specialist performs a variety of administrative and entry-level technical support related to building, construction, engineering, and permitting functions for an assigned department or division; answers inquiries in person, via email, and over the phone from residents, business owners, contractors, consultants, and the public; calculates fees; and performs other related duties as assigned. The Counter Specialist performs a wide variety of routine and administrative building, construction, engineering, and licensing functions to assist in the planning, organizing, and coordinating of activities, operations, and functions within an assigned department or division. This class differs from an Engineering Technician due to the level of experience required and the complexity of work performed.

Any combination of experience and education may be considered. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Two (2) years of clerical, technical, or administrative experience in architectural/building/engineering services and issuing permits.

Candidates must complete a City of San Gabriel online application. Applications must be thoroughly prepared and include the following three items as attachments to the online application: (1) cover letter, (2) professional rsum, and (3) copies of all professional certifications required and/or applicable for the position. DO NOT SUBMIT DRIVER'S LICENSE with item #3. Driver's license will be validated upon conditional offer of employment. APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: This recruitment is scheduled to close at 11:59pm on Sunday, August 9, 2026, or when a sufficient volume of applications has been received, whichever occurs first.

The examination, selection, and hiring process typically includes the following:

1. Application Screening: All submitted applications will be screened for minimum qualifications.
2. Written Exam: For some positions, a written exam may be administered to help assess applicants for position competency and requirements. Those meeting the minimum qualifications for the position in Step 1 will be invited to a written examination. Typically, the minimum qualifying score on the written exam is 70%. This score may be adjusted depending on the number of examinees, with percentile rankings, average scores and the number of slots available for the oral appraisal interview being used as the basis for adjusting the passing score.
3. Oral Appraisal Interview: Those passing Steps 1 and 2 will be invited to the oral appraisal interview. The oral appraisal interview is an assessment of the candidate's experience and preparation for the position by an impartial panel of subject matter experts. Scores from the oral appraisal interview are typically weighted 100% towards the Eligibility List for the position. Candidates must attain a minimum score of 70% on the oral panel interview to qualify for the Eligibility List.
4. Practical Exam: For some recruitments, a practical exam may be administered. The practical exam is a supplemental examination/evaluation tool that is typically not scored or used for qualifying purposes.
5. Eligibility List: Those attaining a qualifying score on the examination will be placed on the Eligibility List for this position. Candidates on the Eligibility List are deemed qualified for the position and may be called at any time to participate in a selection interview with the hiring department to fill a vacancy in this position. For more information on Eligibility List requirements, please see Rule VIII of the City's Civil Services Rules.
6. Selection Interview: Candidates on the Eligibility List may be called at any time to participate in a selection interview with the Department to fill an immediate and/or anticipated vacancy in the position classification. A selection interview does not guarantee an offer of employment and the Department is not obligated to hire any candidate invited to a selection interview.
7. Pre-Employment Process: Upon a conditional offer of employment, which requires the successful completion of a selection interview and recommendation to hire from the Department, candidates shall be required to satisfactorily complete the pre-employment process. The pre-employment process consists of (1) supplemental application, (2) medical examination, (3) fingerprint background check, (4) work experience and education verification, and (5) professional reference check. Some position classifications may also require a comprehensive background check (e.g., POST Background) and drug screening as part of the pre-employment process. Failure to successfully complete any part of the pre-employment process shall void any conditional offer of employment.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. Applicants with legal disabilities, who require special testing accommodations, must contact the City of San Gabriel Human Resources Department at least five days prior to the examination date. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; the City of San Gabriel is an Equal Opportunity Employer.