Administrative Assistant I

City of Atwater; Atwater (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Atwater seeks an Administrative Assistant to perform a wide range of office and support tasks for a city department, under general supervision. The position emphasizes timely information gathering, data preparation, and public relations with residents and visitors.

Applicants must attach a typing certificate, pass a written test, and demonstrate strong English literacy, organizational skills, and the ability to handle public inquiries and complex clerical work with accuracy.

Qualifications

• Typing speed of 40 words per minute.
• Ability to interpret and apply city policies and procedures.
• Experience supporting management and public relations tasks.

Responsibilities

• Provide admin support to assigned City department and management staff.
• Greet visitors and handle public inquiries with information about department policies.
• Prepare reports, minutes, letters, and other documents; input data and generate reports.
• Schedule appointments, tours, and demonstrations; handle mail and office equipment.

Skills

Typing 40 wpm

Public relations

Customer service

Education

High School diploma

Tools

Word processing software

Job description

A typing certificate of 40 NWPM is a requirement for this position. On-line certificates will not be accepted.

To obtain a certified typing certificate, please visit any Work Net agency in the surrounding area.

Must attach typing certificate to application.

WRITTEN TEST TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2026.

Under general supervision, to coordinate and perform a wide variety of administrative support work in an assigned City department; to provide support work for designated management and/or administrative staff; to perform difficult and specialized office support, information gathering, information preparation, and public relations assignments; and to do related work as required. Serves as Disaster Service Worker. FLSA Status: Non-exempt.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the first working level in the Administrative Assistant class series. Incumbents perform a variety of specialized office and administrative support assignments. This level is distinguished from the next higher level of Administrative Assistant II by the scope of administrative support responsibilities performed and the level of responsibilities delegated by management staff. When an incumbent becomes familiar with City policies and procedures, demonstrates good sustained work performance, and meets qualifications, he/she may be promoted to the Administrative Assistant II level.

REPORTS TO

Themanagementpositionwhichisresponsiblefortheserviceareatowhichtheposition isassigned.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

This is not a supervisory classification.

Performs a variety of administrative support work for assigned City management position(s); gathers information and performs special projects; performs fiscal support assignments; performs public information and relations assignments including receiving office visitors and telephone callers and providing comprehensive information about department policies, functions, and procedures; receives and handles public complaints; develops and processes activity reports; develops information systems and prepares distribution forms related to department functions; schedules appointments, tours, and demonstrations; may provide explanations of City codes and ordinances; may maintain department and/or work unit payroll information for submission to finance; maintains permit and insurance data; prepares and distributes bills related to department functions; develops and prepares special reports; creates forms; may receive and distribute department and/or work unit mail; types or uses a word processing program to prepare a variety of documents; inputs data into computer records and generates reports; and operates a variety of office equipment. Takes notes from dictation and accurately transcribes them; transcribes from tape recording; may take minutes of meetings of City commissions, committees, or agencies to which assigned and performs clerical work for such organizations; and composes and prepares letters, memoranda, reports, agendas, minutes, and other materials from marginal notes and verbal or written instructions, subject to review. May be required to attend night and weekend meetings.

Knowledge of:

• Standard office equipmentoperation.
• City and department policies, rules, andregulations.
• Establishment and maintenance of files and information retrievalsystems.
• Modern office methods andprocedures.
• Fiscal record keeping methods andprocedures.
• Proper English usage, spelling, grammar, andpunctuation.
• Personal computers and software applications related to administrative support work.

Ability to:

• Spell correctly and use properEnglish.
• Understand and carry out oral and writtendirection.
• Type at a net speed of 40 words perminute.
• Perform a wide variety of specialized office and administrative support workfor an assigned department and management/supervisorystaff.
• Interpret, explain,andapplyCityanddepartmentpolicies, rules,andregulations.
• Work with considerable independence and initiative while exercising good judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
• Gather, organize, analyze, and present a variety of data andinformation.
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate records and reports.
• Prepare public relations and informational material.
• Use a. personal computer and appropriate software for word processing and support work.
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the public, representatives of other agencies, and other City staff when explaining the functions and policies of the department where assigned.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

TYPICALPHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye- hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, postage machine, radio, and FAX.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in an office environment, frequent contact with other staff and the public.

Training and Experience:

• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible work experience performing a variety of office and administrative support work including substantial experience in a position requiring public/customer contact.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Some positions may have additional department requirements.

Education:

• Equivalent to graduation from high school.

License:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license.

The contents of this class specification shall not be construed to constitute any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee, nor shall it constitute a contract of employment. The City of Atwater assumes no responsibility beyond the general accuracy of the document, nor does it assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained herein. The contents of this specification may be modified or revoked without notice. Terms and conditions of employment are determined through a meet and confer process and are subject to the Memorandum of Understanding currently in effect.