Principal Assistant to the County Superintendent

Santa Clara County Office of Education; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Master’s degree stipend

Doctorate stipend

Full benefits package

Job summary

Santa Clara County Office of Education is seeking a Principal Assistant to the County Superintendent to manage day-to-day operations, coordinate high‑level administrative tasks and support policy interpretation for officials, staff and the public.

The role is full‑time and in‑person with a 12‑month work year; strong leadership, project management, and staff supervision are essential for guiding multiple teams and driving strategic initiatives within the office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, business, public administration, communications, public policy, law or related field.
• Five years’ experience in a business management or executive assistant role reporting to a senior executive, superintendent, or cabinet member.
• Experience organizing and directing multiple teams and departments, planning and leading strategic initiatives and supervising and evaluating staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and directs the day‑to‑day operations of the Office of the Superintendent; performs, coordinates, monitors, and directs high‑level administrative and analytic duties.
• Interprets policies and regulations to officials, staff and the public; plans, coordinates and organizes assigned office activities, supports public relations and flow of communications and information for and as assigned by the County Superintendent.

Skills

Executive support

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education, business, public administration, communications, public policy, law or related field

Job description

The Office of the Superintendent is now accepting applications for Principal Assistant to the County Superintendent.

Oversees and directs the day‑to‑day operations of the Office of the Superintendent; performs, coordinates, monitors, and directs a variety of high‑level administrative and analytic duties; interprets policies and regulations to officials, staff and the public; plans, coordinates and organizes assigned office activities, supports public relations and flow of communications and information for and as assigned by the County Superintendent.

This position is full‑time, in‑person and has a work year of 12 months, 260 days, 8 hours per day.

Leadership team members are eligible to receive a $2,500 annual stipend for a master’s degree and a $2,500 additional stipend for a doctorate, provided official documentation is submitted.

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in education, business, public administration, communications, public policy, law or related field and
• Experience:
  • Five years’ experience in a business management or executive assistant role reporting to a senior executive, superintendent, or cabinet member.
  • Experience organizing and directing multiple teams and departments, planning and leading strategic initiatives and supervising and evaluating staff required.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid California driver's license.
• Project management certificate preferred.

SB 848 COMPLIANCE – EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026

Effective January 1, 2026, and in accordance with California Education Code Section 44051(a)(1), and SB 848 any applicant for a non‑teaching position must disclose a complete list of every school district, county office of education, charter school, state special school and diagnostic center operated by the department of education, and private school that the applicant has previously been an employee of, including full‑time, part‑time, or substitute roles. Failure to provide this information may be considered an act of dishonesty and could affect hiring decisions.

HEALTH, WELFARE, AND OTHER BENEFITS

The Santa Clara County Office of Education takes pride in offering a benefits program that provides flexibility for the diverse and changing needs of our employees. We provide eligible employees with valuable benefits options including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Fertility healthcare and family forming benefits
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Health and Wellness Program, including Employee Assistance Program and Mental Health and Well‑Being resources
• Life insurance and long‑term disability coverage
• California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
• 403b or 457 Retirement Accounts
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Sick Leave
• 16 Paid Holidays (including 2 floating holidays)
• Tuition Reimbursement

Benefit and Retirement information may vary depending on the bargaining unit. Full‑time employees (30 hrs.+/ weekly) are offered free dental and vision coverage for themselves and eligible dependents. Most medical plans are offered at no cost to employees and their eligible dependents. For more information, please visit our benefits page: Employee Benefits

ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS

Candidates who require reasonable accommodations for any part of the testing process must contact Classified Personnel Services (CPS) at least three (3) days prior to the scheduled test date at 408‑453‑6845. Hearing‑impaired individuals may contact the California Relay Service at 1‑800‑735‑2929, then 408‑453‑6845. After contacting CPS, candidates will be asked to submit documentation supporting their accommodation request. Failure to reach out within the specified timeline may result in an inability to make accommodations.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Santa Clara County Office of Education prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying based on actual or perceived race or ethnicity, gender/sex (including gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and pregnancy‑related medical conditions) sexual orientation, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, immigration status, physical or mental status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age (40 and above), genetic information, political belief or affiliation (not union related), a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation in any program or activity it conducts or to which it provides significant assistance.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES

• Assessments and interviews will take place virtually via Zoom Meetings.
• Following the final filing date, the qualifications of all candidates will be evaluated.
• The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a written exam, tentatively scheduled for November 3, 2026.
• Those who pass the written exam will be invited to participate in an oral examination with subject matter experts, tentatively scheduled for November 12, 2026.
• Based on the final scores of qualified candidates, Classified Personnel Services will establish a ranked candidate list.
• Selected candidates from the list will be invited to a second interview with the hiring authorities, tentatively scheduled for the week of November 16, 2026.
• Second interviews may be held in‑person.
• Candidates will be invited over email to participate in examination and selection steps, using the email supplied within their Governmentjobs.com applications, or as updated by candidates in their Governmentjobs.com master profiles. Therefore, it is recommended that candidates check their email at least daily.

NOTE: Examination procedures are subject to change as deemed necessary by the Director - Classified Personnel Services. Candidates who test successfully for placement on the eligibility list may be certified to other related positions without further testing requirements, OR job posting announcements. The right is reserved to add, eliminate, or adjust testing steps and/or information on the posting, at any time, during the position posting and testing process, which may include, but is not limited to, further testing, inclusive to on‑the‑job testing, recruitment, and recruitment extensions, which may be for less than 15 days, after an eligibility list has been certified, which may cause adjustments on the eligibility list, as evaluated to be reasonable or necessary.