Office Assistant - Bilingual

Description Join Our Team The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) is an award-winning, mission-driven public agency and a recognized leader in the affordable housing industry. Known for our attractive, well-maintained communities, we have developed and secured over 4,300 units of affordable rental homes throughout Santa Barbara. But our work goes far beyond building housing; we are committed to delivering innovative, long-term solutions that address our community’s housing challenges. At HACSB, we empower residents to thrive through forward-thinking housing programs and supportive services. At the same time, we invest in our employees by offering meaningful work, professional growth opportunities and a shared sense of purpose. We foster a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful work environment where every team member plays a critical role in advancing our mission: providing safe, quality and affordable housing to those with limited incomes. Our dynamic leadership team leads a talented and dedicated team of professionals guided by our core values, the “5 C’s”: Competence, Cooperation, Commitment, Communication, and Compassion. Under general supervision, the Office Assistant serves as the first point of contact for the agency, delivering exceptional customer service while providing administrative support to the Housing Management Department and Section 8 Program. This role is responsible for managing a busy multi-line phone system, greeting and assisting visitors, responding to inquiries, and performing a variety of clerical and administrative functions in a fast-paced office environment. The ideal candidate is organized, professional, and compassionate, with strong communication and clerical skills, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to serving the public. Key responsibilities include but are not limited to: · Answer phones and greet visitors in a professional, tactful, and efficient manner to present positive image of the Housing Authority. Schedule appointments, respond to inquiries and provide general information to the public regarding Housing Authority policies, procedures, and programs. · Prepare a variety of routine documents including general correspondence, e-mails, reports, meeting minutes and agendas. · Process invoices, work orders, purchase orders, requisitions, and other administrative records, ensuring accuracy and completeness. · Perform routine office duties and administrative support including data-entry, copying, scanning, mail processing and records management. · Maintain organized, accurate files and operate office equipment. · Deliver professional, courteous customer service, including using effective de-escalation techniques when interacting with upset individuals. Requirements The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and personal attributes: · A minimum of one year clerical experience including reception and working with the public; · Knowledge of basic office practices and procedures including standard office filing systems, record keeping practices, and telephone etiquette; · Knowledge of modern office equipment and computers (MS Word, Excel and Outlook); · Ability to type with acceptable speed and accuracy for successful job performance; · Good written and verbal communication skills and principles of business correspondence; · Ability to perform clerical work of average difficulty according to established procedures; · Ability to successfully multi-task in a fast-paced work environment and work under pressure and sometimes stressful circumstances; and · Bilingual with Spanish (required). Full-time, in-person position; 9/80 schedule (Monday-Thursday 7:30AM-5:30PM & alternate Fridays 7:30AM-4:30PM). COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The 5 step salary range is $27.02-$32.84 per hour + bilingual premium pay. HACSB offers eligible employees a comprehensive and well-rounded benefit package including: Cafeteria Benefit Plan 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Group Health Plan Vacation Dental Plan Sick Leave and Catastrophic Leave Vision Plan 13 Paid Holidays Life and AD&D Insurance Employee Assistance Program Long-Term Disability Training and Development Program 401(a) Employees’ Money Purchase Pension Plan Recognition and Incentive Programs SELECTION PROCESS For primary consideration, applications must be received no later than Monday, October 5, 2026; thereafter position open until filled. Selection process may include an interview and other testing designed to predict successful job performance. If HACSB determines an applicant is suitable for the position based on a job related evaluation of skills and experience, prior to subsequent employment, the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check, appropriate to the job functions and business necessity. Criminal convictions will not automatically disqualify a candidate for employment. The nature of the crime, time since offense, surrounding circumstances, and relevance of the offense to the position applied for will be considered. The Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the ADA and FEHA, HACSB provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations may contact Human Resources at (805) 965-1071 or (805) 965-2521 TDD to make accommodation requests.