Salary : $70,969.60 - $90,542.40 Annually
Location : Palmdale, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:Department: Economic and Community Development
Division: Planning
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 8/11/2026 1:00 PM Pacific
Max Number of Applicants: 150
DESCRIPTION The full salary range for this position is as follows: Senior Administrative Assistant - $34.12-$43.53. Expected hiring range is as follows: $34.12-$37.61.DESCRIPTION:Performs a wide variety of responsible confidential para-professional and technical level administrative, secretarial, and/or program related duties in assistance to a City department; coordinates, monitors, and reports on various department activities; and reviews routine administrative budget requests related to the area of assignment.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:Positions at this level perform the most difficult duties; possess a specialized technical or functional expertise. Incumbents are assigned significant responsibilities above the advanced journey level, possess specialized knowledge, abilities, skills and experience, and exercise independent judgment and initiative in the performance of their duties.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:- Assist professional staff in performing and conducting studies, special projects and administrative functions; perform data collection and analysis; and prepare draft reports and technical documents.
- Review work documents, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; and explain systems and procedures to staff and others.
- Perform a variety of highly responsible and confidential clerical, secretarial and administrative duties for an assigned department. Maintain appointment schedules and calendars; arrange meetings and conferences; coordinate and make travel arrangements.
- Establish and maintain systems related to the assigned technical areas of responsibility; monitor area activities and report progress, as required; and manage software programs.
- Interpret and explain City and department policies, rules and regulations in response to inquiries; and refer inquiries, as appropriate.
- Ensure areas of responsibility are in compliance with related laws, codes, ordinances, and legislation; and advise the staff of any irregularities in compliance.
- Review and verify documents related to department activities, including budgets, grants, claims, legislation, class specifications, general reports, and other related information.
- Perform accounting functions related to purchasing of supplies, equipment, and services; and process and evaluate bids for single items according to City purchasing policies, procedures, and limits.
- Perform related duties, as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:Knowledge of:- English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation including proofreading and principles of business letter writing.
- Standard office technology and software, including the use of word processing, database, spreadsheet, and internet information applications.
- The organization, procedures, and operating details of the assigned City department.
- Filing and recordkeeping systems.
- Principles and practices of administration, including recordkeeping, and budget monitoring and control.
- Principles and practices of the technical area to which assigned including but not limited to, claims, legislation, budget, grants, personnel, contracts, and social services.
- Principles and practices of intermediate analytical research and project coordination.
- Pertinent local, state, and federal laws, codes, ordinances, and City functions, policies, rules, and regulations.
- Basic principles of supervision and training.
- Techniques and practices of effective interpersonal communication.
Ability to:- Understand the organization and operations of the City and of outside agencies in order to assume assigned responsibilities.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Understand and follow a variety of instructions in both oral and written form and with minimal supervision.
- Organize duties and determine priorities to meet assigned deadlines.
- Apply operating rules and procedures of the assigned department.
- Work cooperatively with other departments, outside agencies, and the public.
- Interpret and apply departmental/project policies, procedures, and rules.
- Establish and maintain financial records and make simple mathematical computations.
- Compile and maintain complex and extensive records and files.
- Type accurately at net 40 words per minute.
- Operate a variety of office machines and equipment.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Create and maintain basic spreadsheets and records.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Four years of increasingly responsible secretarial and administrative support or technical experience, preferably in the subject area to which assigned; one year of lead supervisory experience is highly desirable.
Education:
An Associate's degree from an accredited college, with course work in public administration, business administration, accounting, statistics, or a related degree.
Licenses/Certifications/Other Requirements:Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver's license, or the ability to use alternative transportation methods to perform the essential duties of the position.
Possession of a valid California driver's license by time of appointment is required for assignments in certain departments, including City Manager's Office, Parks and Recreation and Public Works.
WORKING CONDITIONS:Physical Demands:Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, and sitting; occasional climbing, bending, standing, and squatting.
Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds.
Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.
Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.
Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.
Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.
Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.
WORKING CONDITIONS:Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment.
Positions may require occasional overtime; weekend work and travel is rare.
RevisedSeptember 2025
FLSA:Overtime Eligible
BUSINESS HOURS: Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.
UNION: The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance division.
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
APPLICATION MATERIALS must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application.
RESIDENCE within the City is not required.
AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.
The benefits listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions, not to unbenefited part-time employees unless described.
A PROBATION PERIOD of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City.
VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours (160 hours for benefited part-time employees). Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.
SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees). Unbenefited part-time employees receive 28 hours of paid sick leave per fiscal year.
RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.
All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).
WELLNESS PROGRAM: The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes & other programs.
DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.
CREDIT UNION: F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed) are available options.
INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis.
OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.
PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Unbenefited part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for CalPERS retirement, sick leave, holidays, and vacation on a prorated basis.
MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 54 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.
SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.
*Benefits can change at any time.
01
These supplemental questions are part of the selection process and are considered part of your application. These questions give you the opportunity to fully explain your background and qualifications as they pertain to this position. Only the most qualified applicants as determined by the evaluation of this supplemental application will be invited to participate in the selection process. Your answers to the following supplemental questions are required for your application to be considered complete. Please note: if you do not have experience in a given area, type "none." Please do not write "Refer to my resume/application" as these answers will be considered incomplete and you will not be given credit. I have read and understand this statement.
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Do you or any members of your immediate family own any interest in any enterprise which does or might do business with the City and/or the Board/Commission?
03
Do you or any members of your immediate family have any interests or associations which might present a conflict of interest?
04
What's the highest education you have completed?
Required Question
