Legislative Aide - District 1 - Unclassified (Open)

Description

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 770,000 residents, San Mateo County is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. The County provides for the health and welfare of all people within its borders and serves as the local government for the unincorporated areas. The County has a budget of $5.5 billion and approximately 6,000 employees.

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and District 1
Consisting of five supervisorial districts, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors:

• Sets legislative policy for the efficient administration of County government and the delivery of services to the residents of San Mateo County.
• Exercises legislative and quasi-judicial authority to promote and protect the public health, welfare, and safety of the residents of the County.
• Serves as the governing body for the Housing Authority and 47 Special Districts; and consists of five members who are elected to four-year terms, who may serve a maximum of three consecutive elected terms.

San Mateo County Supervisorial District 1 includes the communities of: San Mateo Highlands, Baywood Park neighborhood, Burlingame, Burlingame Hills, Hillsborough, Millbrae, San Bruno, South San Francisco (east of El Camino Real) and the San Francisco Airport.

Supervisor Jackie Speier
Supervisor Jackie Speier represents District 1 on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and brings more than 40 years of public service at the local, state, and federal levels. Her current priorities include reducing the high cost of living, eliminating child poverty, and advancing universal childcare in San Mateo County.

Over her career, Ms. Speier has served on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, in the California Assembly and Senate, and for nearly 15 years in the U.S. Congress. She is widely recognized for her leadership on challenging and controversial issues, earning national and local honors for her advocacy on issues such as sexual assault prevention, military service member protections, public health, and social justice.

Ms. Speier has authored and helped pass more than 300 bills signed into law by governors of both parties, with legislative achievements spanning child safety, suicide prevention, child support enforcement, pediatric cancer research, and financial privacy. She also founded the Professional and Business Women's Conference, which empowered tens of thousands of women over 35 years.

She is a mother of two, a grandmother, a best-selling author, and lives in Hillsborough, California with her husband.

Your Role
As Legislative Aide you will assist Supervisor Speier in performing her duties as an elected official and advance high-priority initiatives that affect communities across San Mateo County and support daily operations in the Office of Supervisor Speier. You will work closely with the Supervisor to maintain an in-depth understanding of goals community matters unique to District 1. As a trusted advisor and key representative for the Supervisor, you will:

Lead Policy & Issue Analysis

• Conduct deep research and analysis on legislative, budgetary, and policy issues as well as community and governmental matters.
• Develop forward-looking options and strategic recommendations.
• Handle complex assignments and bring clarity to challenging topics.
• Coordinate and execute key district policy initiatives.
• Oversee legislative priorities and ensure the alignment of Board activities with the overarching vision and priorities of the County.

Drive Projects & Programs

• Plan, coordinate, and execute events, initiatives, and special projects.
• Provide direction and mentorship to team members.
• Ensure projects stay on track and achieve measurable results.

Engage with Community & Stakeholders

• Serve as a spokesperson and liaison to residents, community groups, agencies, and the media.
• Represent the Supervisor at meetings, events, and on committees.
• Build lasting partnerships with public and private stakeholders.
• Assist constituents by resolving issues, necessitating site visits or communication efforts.

Oversee Communications & Outreach

• Draft position papers, reports, speeches, press releases, and other key materials.
• Translate policy priorities into clear, compelling communication.

Provide Administrative Support

• Develop and maintain office budget, handle invoices, and assure compliance with financial procedures.
• Assist the Supervisor on various personnel functions, including recruiting, training, and evaluating office personnel.
• Help manage the Supervisor's calendar, coordinating meetings and events.
• Prepare reports, policy statements, and presentation materials.

Who You Are
You are a proactive, resourceful professional who is:

• Knowledgeable in government or nonprofit administration and with a proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, politically dynamic environments while managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Politically astute and highly effective communicator, with strong written, verbal, and public-speaking skills.
• Collaborative and culturally competent, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively across diverse communities, stakeholders, and perspectives.
• Innovative, adaptable, and open to new ideas, bringing creativity and flexibility to problem-solving and policy development.
• Exceptionally detail-oriented and well-organized, with strong systems and follow-through.
• Strategic thinker and experienced project manager, capable of leading complex initiatives from concept to completion.
• Guided by integrity, professionalism, and a deep commitment to public service.

What You Will Need

• Familiarity with the opportunities and challenges that exist for the residents and leadership of San Mateo County, and especially in the diverse communities that make up District 4.
• At least four years of experience working with a governmental, political, or legislative organization, one year of which included responsibility for constituent services.
• Legal and/or public policy or public administration experience or background.
• Class C California driver license or equivalent.
• A consistent, positive attitude, and the flexibility to work variable hours, including evenings and weekends if needed.

Application/Examination

This recruitment is Open. Anyone may apply.

The selection process for this position will consist of an application screening and a panel interview, which may include a pre-interview exercise. Applicants must successfully pass the application screening to move forward to the interview process. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.

To apply for this opportunity, please submit the following materials online at https://jobs.smcgov.org or by clicking the Apply button. Email submissions will not be accepted.

• Resume
• Cover Letter that is no more than 3-pages long that includes the following, in this order:
  1. Your relevant background and qualifications and what you would bring to this position.
  2. What attracts you to this role and to public service in San Mateo County.
  3. A recent and significant professional accomplishment that demonstrates your skills and ability to work with diverse constituents, community organizations, or stakeholder groups.

Recruitment Timeline (tentative)

Final Filing Date: Monday, May 18, 2026, by 12:00 PM (noon)

Application Screening: May 19-22, 2026

Panel Interviews: Week of May 25, 2026

Finalist Interviews (In-person): Week of June 1, 2026

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity to ensure all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.



If you have questions regarding this position, please send an email to Chet Overstreet at coverstreet@smcgov.org.

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• County of San Mateo Human Resources Department

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