Salary: $6,379.00 - $8,712.00 Monthly
Location : Salinas or Seaside or King City
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: MSS05551
Department: Monterey County Department of Social Services
Opening Date: 10/06/2025
Closing Date: 10/13/ :59 PM Pacific
Position Information Under general direction, this position is responsible for a variety of administrative and supervisory duties, including but not limited to providing support to Program Managers, staff, and District Offices; creating, analyzing, and monitoring reports; and recommending, developing, and writing office policies and procedures. The Administrative Services Assistant (ASA) also assists in tracking office workloads and daily operations, supervises, coaches, mentors, and evaluates subordinates, and responds to customer, building, and security concerns. The ASA maintains a high level of confidentiality and works independently to complete tasks and projects promptly and accurately. Additionally, the ASA supervises staff by planning, organizing, and evaluating their work, and provides managerial coverage in the absence of the Program Manager.
The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used Department-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.
Examples of Duties Depending upon the nature, scope and complexity of duties and responsibilities, the employee: - Supervises or performs analysis of needs, arranges and coordinates the provision of equipment, office space, supplies and/or other resources for departments, projects and programs.
- Prepares bid specifications and requests for proposals, evaluates and selects vendors, contractors and consultants, and manages and oversees contract performance.
- Performs or supervises budget planning, preparation and justification; revenue forecasting; development and administration of systems for fiscal control, monitoring and reporting; service fee analysis and recommendation; preparation of applications, and administration of grant, bond, or other funding source monies; and assists line management in establishing costs and required resources for new programs, staff or services.
- Plans, organizes, assigns and evaluates work, directly and through subordinate supervisors; counsels employees, appraises performance, prepares documentation, and recommends discipline or performance recognition; interviews and recommends or selects candidates for employment; provides for employee training and development; guides subordinate supervisors in a variety of supervisory and personnel actions.
- Represents the department within areas of expertise to other County department, external agencies and regulatory/inspection staff, the public, and a variety of committees, boards, and private organizations.
- Develops and implements departmental administrative and other systems, policies and procedures, with management review, input and approval.
- Monitors internal and external issues and current developments affecting department/division administration, evaluates alternatives, conducts analytical studies, and develops and implements recommendations.
- Prepares, directs preparation of, and/or reviews and approves a variety of reports, correspondence, and documents.
- Interprets and applies policies, procedures and contracts.
- Oversees the preparation, maintenance and reporting of a variety of records, data and statistics.
Knowledge and Skills Working knowledge of: - Principles and practice of public administration.
- Principles and practices of fiscal management and budgeting.
- Application process and administration of external funding sources monies such as grants, revenue reimbursements, and bond issues.
- Principles and methods of supervision and management, including work planning, analysis, and organization; selection and evaluation of employees, and training.
- Capabilities and applications of electronic management information systems.
- Contract preparation, negotiation and administration.
- Functions and operations of the department to which assigned, including applicable laws and regulations.
Skill and Ability to: - Plan, organize, supervise and evaluate the work of subordinate staff, directly or through subordinate supervisors.
- Supervise and/or perform budget planning activities, revenue forecasting and the administration of fiscal controls.
- Analyze current trends, legislation, operating issues, and complex administrative and technical problems, develop and evaluate alternatives, and formulate and implement effective solutions.
- Develop, interpret, and apply complex regulations, policies and contracts.
- Prepare effective reports, correspondence, and other written communications.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of the work.
- Make presentations and represent the department to a variety of boards, commissions, groups, other agencies and business, and the public.
- Develop and oversee complex recordkeeping and reporting systems.
Minimum Qualifications Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment listed above is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is: Education: Equivalent to bachelor's level coursework in public administration, finance and budgeting, systems and procedures, or a related field.
AND Experience : Two years of increasingly responsible administrative support and technical experience which included direct involvement in the provision of administrative services.
Supplemental Information - The ability to speak, read, and write Spanish in addition to English would be an asset in this position but is not required.
- Employees who drive on County business to carry out job-related duties must possess a valid CA Driver License for the class vehicle driven.
- The Department of Social Services will conduct a thorough background and reference check process which includes a Department of Justice fingerprint check.
- Monterey County, like all employers, is required to verify an employee's right to work in the United States. Accordingly, on the first day of employment, employees must have and show those documents that verify their legal right to work in the United States. Examples of accepted documentation are a U.S. Passport or Alien Registration Card, or a driver's license and Social Security Card, or a driver's license and U.S. Birth Certificate.
- Additionally, our agency requires a valid social security card in order to process employee paychecks. Accordingly, on the first day of employment, employees must have and show this document.
- Government agencies accessing US government information, which includes federal tax information must ensure that background investigation requirements for all agency employees and contractors that have access to federal tax information are consistent with the IRS background investigation requirements for access to federal tax information. A background check may be required if the position requires access to these types of records. Background requirements consist of three components which include, fingerprinting, citizenship verification, and local law enforcement checks. Applicable agencies must conduct an investigation during the time of hire and ensure an investigation is conducted 10 years from the date of the previous background investigation for each employee that has access to federal tax information.
VETERANS PREFERENCE If you would like to request Veteran's preference points as part of the application packet, please attach a copy of your DD-214 form to your application.
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION - WEIGHTED 100% The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate's knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.
ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATION
A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Monterey. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.
RETEST PERIOD
Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.
SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTS
Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at or upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
GENERAL INFORMATION
MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.
If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list.
General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY Located on California's picturesque Pacific Coast, the County of Monterey is blessed with mild weather year-round and is home to miles of beautiful beaches, spectacular mountain ranges, groves of redwoods, low-rolling foothills, and a bountiful valley. With a population exceeding 400,000, the County is proud of its vibrant citizenry, great traditions, educational opportunities, and multicultural lifestyles. Boasting such world-renowned attractions as the spectacular Big Sur Coast, 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Steinbeck Center, the Monterey Jazz and Blues Festivals, and Pebble Beach - possibly the world's most famous golf course, it's easy to see why an estimated 4.3 million visitors a year make Monterey County their destination of choice.
In addition to a thriving tourist trade, Monterey County's economy is largely based on a vigorous agricultural industry. Known as the 'salad bowl of the nation' the Salinas Valley provides fresh vegetables and salad greens to the entire country. California's 16th largest county also provides many educational opportunities for its residents including California State University at Monterey Bay, the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, the Defense Language Institute (DLI), Presidio of Monterey, and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). All these factors combine to make Monterey County a healthy, economically diverse region eager to foster and sustain an enriching lifestyle for its residents.
ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT Monterey County Department of Social Services is seeking enthusiastic applicants, who genuinely care about the community and its members, to join its team. Monterey County Department of Social Services administers over seventy programs that daily serve an estimated 200, 000 residents of Monterey County. Department programs include Community Benefits (Public Assistance Eligibility), Family and Children's Services (Child Welfare Services), Aging and Adult Services (Adult Protective Services, IHSS, and Area Agency on Aging), CalWORKs Employment Services, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Community Action Partnership. Careers with the Department of Social Services offer the opportunity to promote the social and economic self-reliance of individuals and families served by providing essential resources and services to low-income families, veterans, vulnerable children and adults, and disabled individuals. Monterey County Department of Social Services welcomes, values, and encourages diverse voices, opinions, perspectives, and backgrounds to foster an environment where all viewpoints are appreciated. The Department currently has a team of approximately 874 dedicated members serving Monterey County residents.
Monterey County is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
To learn more about the Department of Social Services, go to:
Benefit Summary Sheet
Class Specification
Merit System Services does not negotiate or determine the benefits or salaries for positions offered by its partners. For more information about benefits or salaries, please visit the listed county or child support office's website or contact their human resources department.
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Please describe your experience interpreting and applying complex program regulations and how have you applied them in practice while safeguarding confidential or sensitive information.
Required Question
