Office Specialist I/II (City Attorney Office)

Salary : $43,520.36 - $56,915.82 Annually
Location : Vista City Hall - 200 Civic Center Drive Vista 92084, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-41-O
Department: City Attorney
Opening Date: 06/10/2026
Closing Date: 7/1/2026 4:30 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: CONF


Position
Considering a career in public service? Come see what makes the City of Vista a great place to work! We are looking for professional candidates who are detail-oriented, organized, and possess excellent customer service and communication skills. The current vacancy is in the Office of the City Attorney.
The Office Specialist* -Confidential classification is an entry-level position into the clerical/administrative series. Office Specialists perform basic, routine clerical work requiring knowledge of department office procedures including a high volume of telephone inquiries. The confidential categorization refers to positions privy to information affecting employer/employee relations and otherwise confidential materials.
Office Specialist I - Confidential (C7) : $20.93 - 25.44 per hour
Employees in this class normally work under close and continuous supervision performing repetitive, specific or limited duties according to established routine procedures. While a variety of tasks may be assigned, each step usually fits a pattern which has been established and explained before work is started. Generally, work is reviewed both during the incumbent's performance and upon completion. Changes in procedures or exceptions to rules are explained in detail as they arise or referred to a higher level for resolution. This level requires some knowledge of department office procedures.
Office Specialist II - Confidential (C10) : $22.52 - 27.37 per hour

Incumbents perform the full scope of duties and responsibilities common to City office positions. Incumbents are expected to perform a wide variety of general clerical duties with only occasional instruction or assistance. Work is normally reviewed only on completion and for overall results. Incumbents in the II-level perform the duties of the I-level, but the work has greater complexity. Employees in this classification often may have contact with others answering a variety of questions requiring a working knowledge of departmental policies, procedures, and precedents and the ability to choose among alternatives in solving problems.
*Note: The current vacancy may be filled at either level. This is a flexibly staffed position and employees in the Office Specialist I classification will be reviewed after 24 months to determine if they should move to the Office Specialist II level.
Examples of Essential Functions


Depending on assignment, types letters, memos, and reports from either rough copy not requiring sophisticated formatting or from established City formats and accepted business correspondence standards; performs either simple or more complex alphabetical and numerical filing; obtains information to create or update files; answers phones, gives out basic, routine information, and routes calls; opens, date-stamps, and distributes mail; makes basic mathematical calculations; either fills out payroll recap sheets or reviews time sheets for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to general payroll reporting guidelines; maintains routine lists, logs, and other records; occasionally independently composes routine correspondence; makes copies; collates, staples, and binds a variety of materials; reserves rooms; orders supplies; prepares mailings, stuffs envelopes, affixes labels, seals envelopes, applies postage, and places mailings in proper order; maintains detailed records; proofreads materials for clerical accuracy and spelling; may take informal notes of staff meetings; processes accounts payable; creates service requests and work orders; operates a City vehicle; and performs related work as required.
Minimum Qualifications
A cover letter expressing interest in this position with the City of Vista must be attached in order to be considered.

Any combination of experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be graduation from High School, GED, or equivalent, including or supplemented by specialized training in the clerical occupation field. The Office Specialist I would typically require one (1) year of general office clerical experience. The Office Specialist II would require at least two (2) years of clerical experience performing a variety of clerical duties. Exceptional customer service skills are required at both levels.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
General office methods and procedures; general software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and database management as required by job assignment; modern office equipment operation, including computers, fax machines, photocopiers, and scanners; proper English usage, punctuation, grammar and spelling; basic arithmetic; basic or simple record keeping methods; basic or working knowledge of policies, procedures, and rules of the assigned work unit as related to position responsibilities.
SKILL IN:
Operating a variety of office equipment, such as photocopiers, computer terminals and peripheral equipment; operating a keyboard at a speed necessary to perform assigned duties, generally 40-60 net words per minute; operating a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices.


ABILITY TO:
Use correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; perform basic mathematical operations; alphabetize or numerically/chronologically sort materials; communicate effectively in oral and written form; work cooperatively and establish effective relations with others; understand and carry out oral and written directions; apply and explain policies and procedures related to the job assignment within the standard guidelines.

Other Information
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to communicate effectively verbally and in a written manner; observe and interpret data, and analyze and solve problems. The employee must be able to work indoor office environments/outdoor in the field environments (depending on position). The employee may have to move up to 50 lbs. and transport up to 10 lbs. objects frequently (depending on position). Vision abilities required by this job include the ability to detect, determine, perceive, identify, estimate, and assess work related objects and/or work products based on position specific designated tasks. The employee may be required to work overtime to complete assignments. Must be able to work a flexible schedule. Use of personal vehicle during employment may also be required. Travel required within and out of City to attend meetings.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: A City application and supplemental questionnaire MUST be submitted and received online by the closing date. Please apply online at All other employment inquiries can be directed to the City of Vista, Human Resources Office, Telephone: View phone number on click.appcast.io.

SELECTION PROCESS: Candidates must clearly demonstrate through their application materials that they meet the employment standards outlined above. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of written, performance, and oral exams to evaluate the applicant's skill, training, and experience for the position. Successful applicants will be placed on an eligibility list. The City may also merge lists. The selected candidate(s) must successfully complete pre-employment clearances which may include fingerprinting and background check.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of Vista is an Equal Opportunity and ADA compliant employer. All qualified candidates and veterans are welcome to apply!
*SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Recruitment Closes- July 1st, 2026

First Interview Rounds- Week of July 13th
*Please note, all dates and/or timeframes are subject to change.
VACATION

125 Hrs. - 1-5 years of continuous service

160 Hrs. - 6-9 years

180 Hrs. - 10-20 years

200 Hrs. - 21+ years
SICK LEAVE

Full time employees receive 96 hours per year.
HOLIDAYS

Full time employees working the 9/80 flex schedule receive 99 hours of holiday leave per fiscal year to cover scheduled holidays as well as one floating holiday.
INSURANCE

Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance programs. A portion of the employee's and dependent's premiums are paid by the City.
WELLNESS PROGRAMMING

The City offers comprehensive wellness programming to its employees including onsite wellness facilities and onsite wellness sessions.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

The City's Tuition Reimbursement Plan may assist employees in paying the cost of approved books and tuition for classes which relate to their job.
RETIREMENT

Depending on eligibility, based on CalPERS criteria, new employees will be provided the 3% @ 60 Plan or newly established 2% @ 62 Plan. Employees currently contribute the entire employee contribution amount of 8%.
The City does not participate in Social Security, but employees must be enrolled in the Medicare portion.
*Actual benefits will depend on date of hire and may differ from the information listed. Part-time employee benefits are prorated.
01


ATTENTION APPLICANTS: Copying and pasting duplicate answers and stating "See resume" and/or "see previous answer" are not acceptable to the questions below. By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate and understand that the statements made in this supplemental questionnaire will be considered part of and subject to the terms of my employment application for this position. Please acknowledge your understanding by selecting "Yes".

• Yes
• No

02


How many years of administrative/clerical experience do you have?

• Less than one year
• 1 to 3 years
• 3 to 5 years
• None - I have no clerical experience

03


Describe your experience performing routine clerical duties in an office.
04


For each software application listed below, please indicate if your level of proficiency is None, Basic, Moderate, or Advanced. Please be sure to include any software you have used to create flyers, brochures or other promotional materials.APPLICATIONS:

• WORD
• EXCEL
• ACCESS
• EMAIL (OUTLOOK OR OTHER ELECTRONIC MAIL)
• PUBLISHER
• OTHER

05


Please describe your public contact experience:1) At a public counter.2) On the telephone.3) Working with patrons / customers.
Required Question