County of San Mateo
Administrative Secretary III - Confidential (Open and Promotional)
County of San Mateo, Redwood City, California, United States, 94061
Administrative Secretary III – Confidential (Open and Promotional)
San Mateo County’s Human Services Agency (HSA) seeks an experienced, dynamic individual to perform varied secretarial and office administrative duties. Under general supervision, the secretary will use discretion and initiative to support senior management, prioritize work from multiple staff members, and interact with County representatives and the public.
The ideal candidate will possess:
Experience performing a variety of secretarial and administrative support duties.
Ability to compose correspondence independently or from brief instructions.
High proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Excellent verbal and written business communication skills—preparing clear reports, meeting minutes, agendas, and interacting positively with staff, partners, and the public.
Team‑oriented and independent work style.
Flexibility to provide effective back‑up coverage for various positions as needed.
Strong organizational skills, setting priorities and meeting critical deadlines.
Initiative and independent judgment in solving office administrative situations.
Discretion, confidentiality, and a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Ability to research and find information as required.
Commitment to professional development and keeping up‑to‑date with HSA technology and policy changes.
Duties may include but are not limited to:
Provide primary support for the Assistant Agency Director and schedule support for three Managers.
Organize meetings: book rooms, prepare materials, set up equipment, and assist with logistics.
Attend meetings; prepare agendas, minutes, and action items.
Maintain and order office supplies and materials.
Coordinate staff moves within the Office of the Agency Director.
Coordinate timely completion of reports from assigned Managers.
Open, sort mail, and process outgoing documents and invoices.
Organize and maintain office files; purge as required.
Follow up on projects and transmit information to keep staff informed.
Update lunch room bulletin boards.
Provide project direction to support staff when needed.
Plan and coordinate department functions and events.
Screen visitors and telephone calls; provide factual information that may involve policy interpretation.
Work front desk coverage and greet the public as required.
Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Typical qualification: two years of secretarial experience providing office and administrative support to management.
Experience providing assistance to upper‑level management is preferred.
Knowledge of
Office administrative and secretarial practices and procedures.
Basic organization of public agencies, including boards and commissions.
Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods, and records management techniques.
Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Standard business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
Basic supervisory principles and practices.
Basic budgeting principles and practices.
Skill/Ability to
Provide confidential secretarial and administrative assistance to high-level management.
Plan, direct, and review the work of assigned staff; instruct staff in work procedures.
Interpret, apply, and explain complex policies and procedures with tact, discretion, and independent judgment.
Analyze and resolve office administrative situations and problems.
Research, compile, and summarize informational materials.
Compose correspondence independently or from brief instructions.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Organize work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
Follow up on assignments with minimal direction.
Open & Promotional. Anyone May Apply. Members of the County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court employees with at least six months (1,040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra‑help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
Responses to supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to the regular employment application form. Resumes will not substitute for the required application and supplemental questionnaire.
The examination process includes application screening, a panel interview, and possible additional evaluations. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase. All examinations will be conducted in San Mateo County, California; applicants must participate at their own expense.
Recruitment Schedule (Tentative)
Final Filing Date:
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening:
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Combined Panel Interviews:
Thursday, December 11, 2025
About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, it is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California, serving a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
San Mateo County is committed to advancing equity and ensuring a safe, inclusive workplace. The Agency encourages applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed reported they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
The County of San Mateo is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
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The ideal candidate will possess:
Experience performing a variety of secretarial and administrative support duties.
Ability to compose correspondence independently or from brief instructions.
High proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Excellent verbal and written business communication skills—preparing clear reports, meeting minutes, agendas, and interacting positively with staff, partners, and the public.
Team‑oriented and independent work style.
Flexibility to provide effective back‑up coverage for various positions as needed.
Strong organizational skills, setting priorities and meeting critical deadlines.
Initiative and independent judgment in solving office administrative situations.
Discretion, confidentiality, and a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Ability to research and find information as required.
Commitment to professional development and keeping up‑to‑date with HSA technology and policy changes.
Duties may include but are not limited to:
Provide primary support for the Assistant Agency Director and schedule support for three Managers.
Organize meetings: book rooms, prepare materials, set up equipment, and assist with logistics.
Attend meetings; prepare agendas, minutes, and action items.
Maintain and order office supplies and materials.
Coordinate staff moves within the Office of the Agency Director.
Coordinate timely completion of reports from assigned Managers.
Open, sort mail, and process outgoing documents and invoices.
Organize and maintain office files; purge as required.
Follow up on projects and transmit information to keep staff informed.
Update lunch room bulletin boards.
Provide project direction to support staff when needed.
Plan and coordinate department functions and events.
Screen visitors and telephone calls; provide factual information that may involve policy interpretation.
Work front desk coverage and greet the public as required.
Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Typical qualification: two years of secretarial experience providing office and administrative support to management.
Experience providing assistance to upper‑level management is preferred.
Knowledge of
Office administrative and secretarial practices and procedures.
Basic organization of public agencies, including boards and commissions.
Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods, and records management techniques.
Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Standard business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
Basic supervisory principles and practices.
Basic budgeting principles and practices.
Skill/Ability to
Provide confidential secretarial and administrative assistance to high-level management.
Plan, direct, and review the work of assigned staff; instruct staff in work procedures.
Interpret, apply, and explain complex policies and procedures with tact, discretion, and independent judgment.
Analyze and resolve office administrative situations and problems.
Research, compile, and summarize informational materials.
Compose correspondence independently or from brief instructions.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Organize work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
Follow up on assignments with minimal direction.
Open & Promotional. Anyone May Apply. Members of the County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court employees with at least six months (1,040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra‑help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
Responses to supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to the regular employment application form. Resumes will not substitute for the required application and supplemental questionnaire.
The examination process includes application screening, a panel interview, and possible additional evaluations. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase. All examinations will be conducted in San Mateo County, California; applicants must participate at their own expense.
Recruitment Schedule (Tentative)
Final Filing Date:
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening:
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Combined Panel Interviews:
Thursday, December 11, 2025
About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, it is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California, serving a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
San Mateo County is committed to advancing equity and ensuring a safe, inclusive workplace. The Agency encourages applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed reported they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
The County of San Mateo is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
#J-18808-Ljbffr