Program Assistant (Wastewater)

Summary

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Program Assistant in our Utilities Department/Wastewater Division. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.

Under general supervision, assists in the design, coordination, and implementation of a citywide program or technical area within a department or division of the City; independently performs a variety of technical, administrative, and programmatic work in support of assigned programs, projects, or initiatives; applies and is aware of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, regulations, mandates, and guidelines; coordinates with, and provides administrative support and staff assistance to City staff, committees, outside agencies and the public.

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Assists with the planning, design, coordination, implementation, and promotion of a citywide program or area of technical responsibility within a department or division of the City; applies program goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities; independently performs a variety of technical, administrative, and programmatic work in support of assigned program.

Provides a variety of complex and responsible duties and staff assistance in support of assigned program area; conducts research, applies various federal, state, and local laws, regulations, mandates, and guidelines; implements various City rules, regulations in accordance with sound organizational practices.

Participates in the promotion and outreach of programs, events, activities, and projects; assists with the design preparation and distribution of a variety of marketing, educational and informational materials; collects information for newsletters, brochures and other specialized documents using desktop publishing software and other computer applications; may assist with creating press releases.

Works closely with City staff from various departments and committees; serves as a contact for general inquiries, requests, outside agencies and the public; assists in resolving complaints related to assigned program areas and activities.

Assists with and provides staff support in the development of grant and/or loan applications and staff reports to City Council for grant and/or loan approval.

Participates in the development and monitoring of assigned budget accounts; assists with compiling annual budget requests and projections.

Types, word processes and proofreads a wide variety of reports and documents; independently prepares correspondence; performs data entry and utilize software and related applications for various databases and filing and recordkeeping systems for assigned program area; may perform surveys and produce reports from database.

Assists in preparing written reports and oral presentations to the City Council, boards, commissions, City staff and community groups/organizations; attends and gives oral presentations to community groups or commissions;

Attends and participates in professional group meetings; keeps informed of new trends and innovations related to area of assignment.

Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Basic principles, services and activities of assigned program or technical area.
Principles and practices of program development and administration.
Organization and operation of municipal government.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
Methods and techniques of public relations.
Principles and procedures of record keeping and basic mathematics.
Principles and practices of fiscal, statistical and administrative research and report preparation.
Basic principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
Collection and analysis of data.
Principles of business letter writing.
Organization and operation of municipal government.
Modern office procedures, methods and equipment, including computers.
Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and statistical databases.
Principles and practices of customer service.
Terminology used in area of assignment.
English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Ability to:
Assist in program design, implementation, coordination.
Conduct research, compile information, analyze and interpret data, and prepare clear, concise technical, administrative and financial reports.
Prepare correspondence and memoranda.
Understand the organization and operation of the City, assigned program, and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
Understand, interpret, and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Principles, practices, and trends used in public information and education programs.
Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies.
Establish and maintain various data collection, record keeping, tracking, filing, and reporting systems.
Effectively plan, organize and prioritize work load.
Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets.
Operate and use modern office equipment including a computer and various software packages.
Work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person.
Exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports.
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Minimum Requirements

Education/Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Additional specialized course work in area of assignment, business administration, public administration or related discipline is desirable.

Experience:

One year (full-time equivalent) of experience performing general administrative and program coordination work in similar types of programs or technical area to which assigned.

License or Certificate :

Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid California Class C Driver's License.

Supplemental Information

NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

SELECTION PROCEDURE
Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.
All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.
The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.

Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE
Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the U.S. armed forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Did not retire from military service
• Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.

ABOUT OUR CITY
The City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.

EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.

The City of Escondido offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

The Benefits of Choice program offers you a range of benefits. You choose the coverage that is right for you, your family and your budget. Read this e-Guide for an overview of your options, with links to additional details and forms.

For a more detailed overview of this benefits package, please visit the Administrative / Clerical / Engineering Benefit Summary

Closing Date/Time: 7/21/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Escondido

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