Secretary - Advanced Level

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 2700 - General Clerical Unit

Why join Contra Costa County?
Contra Costa County is located in northern California and covers about 733 square miles. It stretches from the northeastern shore of San Francisco Bay to the San Joaquin River. The county has a population of just over 1 million, making it one of the top ten most populous counties in California. It's known for being home to one of the most diverse populations in the state, both culturally and economically.

Working for Contra Costa County gives you the opportunity to serve and improve the lives of the local community. The county provides essential services such as public safety, healthcare, social services, and infrastructure development. Working for the county can be a rewarding experience as it allows individuals to make a positive impact on their community and contribute to the betterment of society. Additionally, Contra Costa County offers competitive salaries, good benefits, and opportunities for career growth and development.

The Secretary Advanced Level classification is utilized in different departments across the County. It represents the highest working level in the Secretary series. Individuals in this position usually possess extensive experience in performing a range of intricate secretarial tasks that entail significant responsibility, with minimal supervision. Typically, the incumbent reports to individuals in high-level positions, such as Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, Directors, or above.

We are currently looking to fill one (1) vacancy within Employment and Human Services Agency. However, the eligible list resulting from this recruitment can be used to fill vacancies in other departments when they become available.
Why join Employment Human Services Department?
Contra Costa County’s Employment and Human Services Department works diligently to provide the community with resources that support, protect, and empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. The department is committed to hiring candidates that share our core values of delivering an exceptional customer service experience, encouraging open communication, embracing change, practicing ethical behavior, and embracing diversity.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Organized. You will need to balance multiple assignments, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Dependable and Punctual. Your assigned unit will rely on you for support
• Flexible. You will have to shift priorities quickly as needs change
• Personable. You will work with a team of professionals and need to interact professionally with others
• A good communicator. You will be working with internal and external clients and must communicate with them effectively
• Detail-oriented. You will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy of written communications, numbers, or data entry

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Providing administrative support to upper management
• Composing correspondence, memoranda, and other written materials based on knowledge and understanding of departmental activities with little or no direction
• Developing and maintaining filing and record systems unique to the assigned program and ensuring record controls are in place
• Following up on behalf of the manager or Department to move tasks forward
• Maintaining and securing confidential information
• Scheduling meetings for the manager
• Reviewing and managing incoming mail with responsibility for sorting, screening, and routing
• Screening telephone calls and visitors and handling routine questions

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will have the ability to work independently and autonomously
• You will work in a supportive and respectful working environment that values work-life balance
• You will be given the opportunity to grow through a variety of work assignments

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will work in a highly regulated government environment
• You will be expected to balance multiple projects, priorities, and demands
• You are often the public’s go-to person for complaints and may deal with people who are upset

Competencies Required:

• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Delegating: Sharing responsibility, authority, and accountability
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Establishing Credibility: Doing what he/she commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others

To read the complete job description, please click here .

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of a high school diploma, GED equivalency or a high school proficiency certificate.

Experience: Three (3) years of full-time (or the equivalent of full-time) secretarial or office clerical experience.

Other Requirements: The ability to type at a net speed of not less than 40 words per minute from clear manuscript of printed or typewritten copy.

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward to the next phase of the recruitment process. Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire as part of their application.

Online Typing Test: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take a timed typing assessment which verifies the ability to type at least 40 net words per minute. Candidates who do not meet this requirement will not advance in the selection process. Please note that external typing test results are not accepted. Tentative Date: August 2025

Online Skills Assessment: Applicants who meet the typing requirement will be invited to participate in an online skills assessment. Access to a computer and the internet is required. The assessment may cover topics such as Attention to Detail, Action & Results Focus, Displaying Ownership & Accountability, Establishing Credibility, Self-Management, and Using Technology. (Weighted at 100%). Tentative Date: August 2025

Departmental Hiring Interview: Interviews will be scheduled by the department once the eligible list is established.

If you apply for another recruitment that uses this exam and the test is scheduled within 6 months of the date of this test, you will not have the option to re-take the exam. If more than 6 months have passed you will need to retake the exam.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment questions, please contact Flor Robb at Flor.Robb@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 8/7/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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