Council District 7 Office - Council Assistant Part Time Unbenefited (Unclassified)

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The City of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley, is one of the nation's best managed cities and consistently ranks among the top places to live, work and do business. As the cultural, governmental, and economic center of the region, San José is home to a diverse community that values integrity, innovation, excellence, collaboration, respect, and celebration.

The San Jose City Council consists of ten Councilmembers elected by district and a Mayor elected at-large, each for four year terms. The Mayor and Council are responsible for representing the residents of San Jose, providing accountability, reviewing public policy and programs, and adopting those policies which best meet the needs of the residents, visitors, and businesses in San Jose.

Position Duties

The District 7 Council Office is seeking a dependable, energetic, and community-oriented professional to serve as a Part-Time Council Assistant focused on Community Engagement, Outreach, and Event Support.

This is a hands-on, field-based role. While some administrative coordination is required, the majority of the work takes place out in the community — at neighborhood events, community meetings, and engagement initiatives.

If you enjoy being out and about, meeting residents, building relationships, and supporting meaningful community initiatives, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a visible and immediate impact.

This is an at-will, unclassified, part-time position appointed for a specified term not to exceed the Councilmember’s current term. The position requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends, with weekend availability being essential.
Primary Responsibilities
Community Event Support & Field Operations

• Staff the District 7 booth/tent at community events.
• Transport, set up, and break down canopies, tables, chairs, and outreach materials.
• Represent the Council Office professionally and engage directly with residents.
• Serve as a visible and welcoming presence in the community.

Community Engagement Projects and Outreach

• Assist in planning and implementing community-based initiatives such as neighborhood clean-ups and dumpster days.
• Conduct proactive community outreach to promote programs, events, and resources.
• Distribute informational materials and engage residents in conversations about City services and initiatives.
• Coordinate logistics for field-based projects.
• Support outreach efforts to ensure strong resident awareness and participation.

Meeting & Event Attendance

• Attend evening neighborhood meetings and weekend events.
• Provide on-site support to the Councilmember.
• Assist with event logistics and coordination.

Transportation Support

• Safely chauffeur the Councilmember to and from meetings and events on weekdays and primarily on weekends.
• Maintain punctuality and professionalism while transporting the Councilmember.
• Assist with event materials during transport.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Provide light administrative support related to events and outreach projects.
• Assist with tracking community event schedules and follow-up tasks.
• Support coordination with City departments as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university OR currently enrolled and actively working toward completion of a bachelor’s degree.
• Valid California Driver’s License with a clean driving record.
• Reliable personal vehicle capable of transporting canopies, tables, chairs, and event materials.
• Comfortable driving and transporting the Councilmember to official engagements.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to engage respectfully with residents across a wide range of topics and emotions.
• Ability to lift and transport event equipment.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends (weekend availability is required).
• Professional demeanor, reliability, and sound judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to speak Vietnamese and/or Spanish.
• Experience in community outreach, public engagement, or event support roles.
• Experience working with elected officials or in a government setting.
• Knowledge of District 7 neighborhoods and community organizations.

Who Will Thrive in This Role?

Someone who:

• Enjoys being out in the community rather than behind a desk.
• Is proactive and comfortable initiating conversations with residents.
• Takes pride in representing the Council Office professionally.
• Is dependable, punctual, and flexible.
• Can think on their feet and handle on-site logistics calmly.
• Is interested in public service and gaining first-hand experience in how local government operates.
• Genuinely cares about improving quality of life for residents.

This role is ideal for someone who wants hands-on exposure to community engagement, outreach, and local government operations while making a meaningful difference in District 7.

Other Qualifications

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, which may include practical/writing exercises.

To be considered for this position, you must fill out the online application on the City of San José website and submit the following:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process:
Why are you interested in a community-facing, part-time position with the District 7 Council Office? This role requires regular evening and weekend availability. Please describe your availability and flexibility. Do you have a valid California Driver’s License and a clean driving record? Are you comfortable driving and transporting the Councilmember to official events? Do you have a personal vehicle capable of transporting large items such as canopies, tables, and chairs? Please describe. Describe your experience conducting outreach or engaging directly with members of the public. What languages other than English do you speak? Please describe your proficiency level.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact charulatha.thiyagarajan@sanjoseca.gov. This posting/recruitment will remain open until vacancy is filled. Applications are reviewed continuously; therefore, we encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

Part-time positions(less than 40 hours per week) are required to participate in the City’s PTC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan per Federal regulations. Employees are required to contribute 3.75% of gross earning and the City contributes a matching amount of 3.75%. The funds contributed by the City are 100% vested upon initial deferral and will be held in a stability of principal investment. This plan is in lieu of social security and does not include any healthcare benefits or contributions.

Part-time employees may elect to contribute additional retirement savings through the City’s Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Additional Information on both plans can be found on the City’s website.

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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