Job Details

Salary : $77,752.69 - $81,709.26 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2025-12-6059
Department: HHCS Health
Division: Aging Services
Opening Date: 12/08/2025
Closing Date: 1/5/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEY

is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.

As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city.
JOB OPPORTUNITY

We're looking for a community-minded Senior Service Assistant to engage with senior citizens at the City of Berkeley! In this role, you will perform community outreach, assist in planning and coordinating senior center programs, and support a highly social and active Meals on Wheels operation that relies on volunteerism-often involving up to 25 volunteers in a variety of roles each day. Join a team dedicated to promoting a dignified, healthful quality of life for older adults by offering connections to services and resources that encourage learning, growth, and meaningful engagement in daily living.

See the full job class specification here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined above is:
Equivalent to graduation from high school and one (1) year of experience working with the elderly in an educational, counseling or a human service agency.

Other requirements: Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. May require bilingual or bicultural skill.

In addition to the qualifications mentioned above, the ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication skills and will enjoy working with older adults from diverse backgrounds, coordinating volunteers, and helping seniors access essential services. Organized, dependable, and community-minded, they will support daily program operations and outreach activities with compassion and professionalism.
APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific on January 5, 2026 and must include a completed application and answers to the supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

EXAM PROCESS
The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application Review for Minimum Qualifications
• Review of Supplemental Questionnaire
• Written Exam (tentatively scheduled for the week of February 16, 2026)

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.

Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, other credentials, credit check, criminal history check, and Live Scan fingerprinting.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER

The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.

Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.

Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).

Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.

Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plus HMO. The City contributes up to the full family premium for the Kaiser plan, or up to 99% of the full family premium for the Sutter Health Plus plan. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $25,000 (Maintenance and Clerical Chapters) or $50,000 (Community Services and Part-Time Recreation Activity Leaders). Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.

Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.

Vacation
New employees accrue 2 to 4 weeks of vacation annually, depending on classification (see )

Holidays
15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually

Uniform Allowance
Employees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually (see )
(SEIU)
01

Do you possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least one year of full-time (40 hours per week) experience working with the elderly in an educational, counseling, or human service setting? If so, please include your job title(s), employer(s), and dates of employment. Please note that an in-depth description of your duties must also be listed under the Work History section of your application. If you have no experience, type 'N/A.'
03

Please describe your experience working with the senior community including your understanding of the specific needs of older adults.
04

Please describe your experience coordinating volunteers. Explain your interest in leading a volunteer program and how you would recruit, engage, and recognize volunteers.
05

I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy. I understand that an incomplete application, inconsistent or conflicting information, or incomplete answers to the supplemental questions may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.

• Yes

Required Question