Executive Assistant to the County Executive Officer (CEO)

Full Job Description

What We Offer

• General Salary Increase: A general salary increase of 3.5%, effective December 20, 2026, and 3.5% effective December 19, 2027.
• Educational Incentive: may be eligible for 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5%, based on completion of an associate, bachelor's, or graduate degree from an accredited institution, not required for the position.
• Retirement/Social Security: Defined retirement benefits vest after 5 years of service. The County and you also each contribute to Social Security. For more information, visit: www.vcera.org. If you are eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems, such as CalPERS.
• Health Plans: Medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your dependents. A flexible credit allowance of up to $1,024.11 biweekly.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Increase your spending power by reimbursing you with pre-taxed dollars for IRS-approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Annual Leave: 208 hours earned per year, increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service, to 296 hours after 10 years of service, and to 304 hours after 15 years of service.
• Annual Leave Redemption: The ability to "cash out" or redeem up to 160 hours of Annual Leave per year after using 80 hours.
• Holidays: 13 paid days per year, including 1 floating holiday to use at your discretion.

Deferred Compensation: You may elect to contribute to one or both of the County's deferred compensation plans (established under Internal Revenue Code sections 401(k) and 457).

If you participate in the County-sponsored 401(k) plan, the County will match a part of your contribution up to 3% of your salary, on a per pay period basis.

Following five (5) years of continuous County service, an additional 2% non-elective contribution will be made to the 401(k) plan.

• Other Benefits Include: Disability Plans; Employee Assistance Program; County-paid Life Insurance; Tuition Reimbursement; Benefit Reimbursement Program; a Wellness Program; and a WorkLife Program that includes child care and elder care referrals.

The Position

We are seeking a highly skilled Executive Assistant to provide direct support to the County Executive Officer in a dynamic, fast-paced government environment.

This is not a routine administrative role—it requires exceptional organization, unwavering discretion, and the ability to manage complex responsibilities with clarity and independence, without repeated direction.

You will be the CEO’s trusted partner, ensuring priorities are met and operations run seamlessly.

This position places you at the center of public service, where your ability to work independently, anticipate needs, identify issues early, and solve problems proactively will be essential.

You will handle sensitive matters with integrity, exercise sound judgment under pressure, and maintain composure amid competing priorities.

Your work will provide critical support to the CEO, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives that shape the future of Ventura County.

As the CEO’s primary liaison, you will engage with County leadership, agency and department directors, the Board of Supervisors, elected officials, and community stakeholders.

Success in this role requires political savvy, professional communication, and the ability to operate thoughtfully in a complex government environment.

Key attributes include:

• Unwavering composure and objectivity under pressure, maintaining professionalism in all circumstances.
• Political savvy—able to read organizational cues, understand governmental context, and operate thoughtfully within a public sector environment.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and execute multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities, ensuring clarity and precision in all interactions.
• Independent decision-making capability, grounded in sound judgment and situational awareness.
• Tech proficiency and adaptability, with the ability to quickly learn and leverage new systems and tools.
• Reliability, consistency, and a commitment to operational excellence, ensuring the highest standards of support for executive leadership.

Be part of something amazing! As a member of the CEO’s office, you will play a pivotal role supporting leadership that drives initiatives to strengthen our community and enhance the quality of life for over 800,000 residents.

Joining our team means:

• Impact: Help shape Ventura County’s future through work that drives key decisions.
• Collaboration: Work with dedicated professionals and County executives committed to excellence.
• Purpose: Contribute to outcomes that improve lives and strengthen partnerships.
• Growth: Access professional development and career advancement opportunities.
• Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, full benefits, and secure public service retirement.

Requirements

• Serve as the trusted administrative partner to the County Executive Officer, managing priorities with clarity and independence—without repeated direction.
• Manage complex calendars, scheduling, and meeting coordination with precision and foresight.
• Anticipate needs, identify issues early, and drive proactive problem-solving to keep operations running smoothly.
• Handle sensitive matters with discretion, maintaining strict confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.
• Prepare concise, accurate reports, summaries, briefings, speaking notes, and communications to support executive decision-making.
• Prioritize and execute multiple concurrent projects, ensuring momentum and timely completion of deliverables.
• Navigate county operations, interdepartmental relationships, and stakeholder dynamics with emotional intelligence, political savvy, and situational awareness.
• Support operational workflows and enforce deadlines, ensuring consistent excellence in administrative processes.
• Leverage technology and adapt quickly to new systems to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and skills. Typically includes a Bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of related experience. Additional experience may substitute for education.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License.

• Direct administrative support to a senior executive, CEO, or C-suite leader in a large or complex organization.
• Documented experience planning and coordinating executive-level meetings or events annually, including agenda preparation, logistics, and follow-up actions.
• Daily proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite and virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, Zoom).
• Experience managing executive expense reports and processing financial transactions.
• Experience handling, prioritizing, and tracking high-volume executive-level emails and inquiries.

• Work is performed on-site in an office environment, Monday through Friday, generally between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The position requires flexibility to adjust hours and work additional time as necessary to meet operational needs.
• This position may require occasional travel within Ventura County to attend meetings, trainings, or perform work-related duties at various locations. Travel will typically occur during regular business hours, with flexibility for additional time as needed.

Additional Information

To APPLY for this unique career opportunity, please send a resume and cover letter that illustrate all of the following:

• Executive-Level Support Experience: Direct administrative support to a senior executive, CEO, or C-suite leader in a large or complex organization.
• High-Level Meeting, Event, and Travel Coordination: Documented experience planning and coordinating executive-level meetings or events annually, including agenda preparation, logistics, and follow-up actions.
• Technical Proficiency: Daily proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite and virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, Zoom).
• Expense Report Management: Experience managing executive expense reports and processing financial transactions.
• High-Volume Communication Management: Experience in handling, prioritizing, and tracking high-volume executive-level emails and inquiries.

Submit in one of the following ways:

E-mail to: Bill.Friedel@venturacounty.gov

OR

Submit an online application and attachments (resume and cover letter).

CANDIDATE EVALUATION

Candidates will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and interviews may be scheduled throughout the process. This recruitment will remain open until the position is filled—apply early for priority consideration.

Resumes and cover letters will be assessed against the qualifications outlined in this brochure.

The most competitive candidates will advance to a panel interview, followed by a final interview for top finalists.

Depending on the size and strength of the applicant pool, interviews may be combined into a single step or conducted in multiple stages.

For additional information about this position, please contact Bill Friedel at (805) 654-2419 or email Bill.Friedel@venturacounty.gov