Administrative Specialist II

Introduction

READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REAPPLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT.

THIS IS A REOPENING OF A CONTINUOUS EXAMINATION. If you have previously applied or started an application for Administrative Specialist II, Examination #24-0219-01, read this entire bulletin. There are specific instructions on how to reapply for this position.

PLEASE CONTACT THE EXAMINATION ANALYST, ANGELICA CUEVAS AT ANGELICA.CUEVAS@ACGOV.ORG TO HAVE YOUR PREVIOUS APPLICATION RELEASED BACK TO YOU.

The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you have previously submitted an application and choose to reapply, you new score/disposition will replace your current disposition.

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted online.

DESCRIPTION

THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California’s seventh-largest county. The County employs 9,080 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $2.39 billion. Oakland, the County seat, is California’s eighth largest city. One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas. As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens. The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles. The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

THE POSITION

Under direction, to provide professional level administrative, operational and organizational services to County departments and agencies; to plan and conduct a variety of studies and inquiries; to facilitate the implementation of a wide variety of programs and projects; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Administrative Specialist I/II is a flexibly-staffed class series with the work normally performed at the II level, but with initial selection possible at the I (or entry) level. Incumbents hired at the I level will be expected to gain experience and demonstrate proficiency which qualifies them to promote to the II level after the equivalent of one year full time service. Appointment at the I level will not be extended beyond one year.

Responsibilities of this broad administrative series normally encompass a variety of activities, such as planning and conducting organizational and policy studies, performing activities related to personnel, purchasing, contracting and budgeting and overseeing functions and staff in administrative services areas. Administrative Specialists may also supervise the work of a small support staff on a project or day-to-day-basis. Although the work is diverse, all positions are typically characterized by all of the following elements:

• The necessity for independent decision making;
• Project, activity and/or functional planning, oversight and evaluation;
• The ability to significantly influence departmental policies, functions or service delivery activities; and
• The limited availability or nature of supervision.

For more detailed information about the job classification, visit: Administrative Specialist II

IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a track record of success in the following areas:

• Practices and techniques of administrative analysis and report preparation.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Researching, compiling and summarizing varied information.
• Evaluating alternatives and reaching sound conclusions.
• Interpreting, explaining and applying complex policies, regulations and procedures.
• Organizing and prioritizing work and meeting critical deadlines.
• Maintaining accurate records and files.
• Exercises sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Basic budgetary and financial record keeping techniques.
• Under direction, to provide professional level administrative, operational and organizational services to County departments and agencies.
• Plan and conduct a variety of studies and inquiries; to facilitate the implementation of a wide variety of programs and projects; and to do related work as required.

VACANCIES

Administrative Specialist II is a countywide classification; positions in this class can be found in departments throughout Alameda County. This recruitment is to establish a countywide eligible list that will be used by any County department or agency needing to fill a vacancy in this classification.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Experience:

The equivalent of one year full-time experience in the class of Administrative Specialist I in the Alameda County classified service.

OR II

Education:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university (180 quarter units or 120 semester units) with major coursework in business or public administration, or a field related to the work.

(Additional professional or paraprofessional administrative experience may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.)

AND

Experience:

Equivalent to one year of full-time professional-level experience in planning and conducting administrative, operational and organizational studies and providing varied administrative support at the level of or higher than that performed by the County class of Administrative Specialist I.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will posses the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Principles of public administration.
• Practices and techniques of administrative analysis and report preparation.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Budgetary and financial record keeping techniques.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Basic supervisory principles and practices.
• Basic public personnel, purchasing and contract administration practices.

Ability to:

• Plan and conduct administrative, organizational and operational studies.
• Research, compile and summarize varied information, evaluate alternatives and reach sound conclusions.
• Interpret, explain and apply complex policies, regulations and procedures.
• Plan, assign and review the work of a small staff on a project or day-to-day basis.
• Prepare clear and accurate reports, correspondence, procedures and other written materials.
• Represent the department and the County in meetings with others.
• Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Licenses: Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
A review of applicants' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those applicants who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process. A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to determine the best qualified. Those candidates considered the best qualified will move on to the final step in the examination process. An oral interview which will be weighted as 100 % of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work. To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website , hrs.alamedacountyca.gov .

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PLAN:

Deadline for Filing:

5:00:00 PM, Monday, December 1, 2025

Review of Minimum Qualifications:

December 12, 2025

Review of Supplemental Questionnaire for Best Qualified:

January 19, 2026

Virtual Pre-Recorded Civil Service Oral Examination:

Ratings of Interviews:

Closing Date/Time: 12/1/2025 5:00:00 PM

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• County of Alameda

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