Administrative Assistant - Planning and Development Department

Position Overview

Are you a highly organized and detail-oriented professional with a knack for multitasking? Join the City of Champaign as an Administrative Assistant and play a crucial role in supporting the daily operations of the Building Safety Division of the Planning and Development Department.

Job Responsibilities

The Building Safety Division ensures safe and sustainable construction in our community, processing approximately 4,000 building permits each year. As a member of our Administrative Assistant team, you’ll serve as a front-line resource for internal and external stakeholders from diverse backgrounds seeking information about the permitting process. Strong customer service, clear communication, and accurate data entry skills are essential.

Your day-to-day activities might include:

• Greeting and assisting community members, both in person and by phone, by answering general questions and providing guidance on the permitting process.
• Entering initial permit application data with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Maintaining complete and organized records of permit applications, permits, and certificates of occupancy.
• Providing administrative support on a range of projects and tasks, from routine to complex, such as software implementation support or records management best practices.
• Proofreading documents and preparing professional correspondence.
• Planning and scheduling meetings, trainings, and division events.
• Creating flyers, announcements, and brochures for public or internal communication.
• Supporting timekeeping and payroll functions, accounts receivable/payable, and monitoring the division’s budget.
• Updating and maintaining website content, including posting announcements, and ensuring accuracy of public information.
• Supporting a welcoming, inclusive, and service-oriented environment that meets the needs of a diverse community.

Required Qualifications

• Education equivalent to a high school diploma or equivalent supplemented by additional business coursework or training.
• Extensive administrative support or clerical experience requiring accuracy, confidentiality, and discretion.
• An equivalent combination of work experience and education that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.
• Experience with high-volume and accurate data entry.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
• Advanced skills in writing and proofreading.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing administrative support in a union environment.
• Associate degree or certification as an administrative professional.
• Experience with website content management.
• Experience monitoring financial transactions or accounts.
• Experience paying invoices or processing accounts payable.
• Experience with timekeeping/payroll functions.

Other Information

Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process. The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The City of Champaign's mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community. The following values guide our work: Personal Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Teamwork, Results. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Learn more about the city's mission and values at https://champaignil.gov/city-managers-office

This position is classified as Non-Bargaining Unit Non-Exempt. This information is current as of February 12, 2026.

HEALTH INSURANCE

The City of Champaign offers a robust PPO Select Network plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois with a $500 individual and $1,000 family deductible. The plan covers nearly 98% of providers and facilities across the State of Illinois and grants access to providers nation-wide through Blue Cross Blue Shield. The City of Champaign pays up to $580 of the employee (single) health insurance premium and 50 percent of the dependent premium for continuous full-time employees. Premiums for single employee coverage above $580 per month are shared by the employee and the City. For the 2026/2027 plan year, NBU-NE Full-Time Employees contribute 1.5203% of salary towards employee only health care. Premiums may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City’s Section 125 plan. Health insurance coverage begins on the date of hire and ends on the employee’s last day of work at the City.

Health Insurance Premiums PPO (2026-27 Plan Year)

DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE

Employees may purchase dental and/or vision insurance through payroll deduction. Employees pay 100 percent of the monthly premium for this coverage. Premiums for dental and vision insurance may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City’s Section 125 plan. Dental and vision insurance begins after waiting for one complete calendar month (e.g., if hire date is in the month of January, coverage begins on March 1st).

The dental plan has two options: Delta Dental Network Low Plan and Delta Dental High Plan.

Dental Premiums

Vision insurance is provided by EyeMed.

Vision Premiums

LIFE INSURANCE

The City provides a $25,000 term life insurance policy through The Hartford. Premiums are paid by the City. Employees may elect to purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for themselves up to 5x their annual salary or $500,000 (whichever is lower), through payroll deduction. Employees may also purchase term life for their spouses/dependents.

• Employee voluntary supplemental life insurance coverage can be purchased in $10,000 increments and the price is calculated based on the employee's age.
• Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their spouses up to half the amount purchased for themselves in $5,000 increments. Cost is calculated based on the employee's age.
• Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their dependent children in the amount of $10,000 for any/all eligible children.
• Employees may purchase Basic Life Insurance for their spouse and eligible dependent children.
  • Option #1: $3.60/month for $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for any/all eligible children.
  • Option #2: $1.80/month for $5,000 for spouse and $2,000 for any/all eligible children.

PENSION

Illinois state law requires that eligible municipal employees be covered by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Employee contributions to IMRF are 4.5 percent of salary and are tax-deferred. For 2026,

the City contributes 7.97 percent of eligible employee’s salaries to IMRF. In addition, IMRF members are covered by Social Security (FICA). Obtain additional information by contacting IMRF at 1-800-ASK-IMRF. Employees are eligible to contribute additional funds to IMRF through Voluntary Additional Contributions.

Per IMRF Guidelines, all “unused, unpaid sick leave” goes towards IMRF service credit for employees who retire from the City and whose effective date of their pension is within 60 days of their retirement. You will earn one month of service credit for every 20 days of unused, unpaid sick leave at the time of retirement. Employees with 1-20 days of unused, unpaid sick leave receive one (1) month of additional service credit, employees with 21-40 days of unused, unpaid sick leave will receive two (2) months, etc. If you have any questions regarding this, you can reach out to the Human Resources Department or IMRF directly.

RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS)

A retirement health savings plan administered by the Mission Square Retirement Corporation has been established for NBU employees. NBU employees participate in a mandatory contribution of 1 percent of pre-tax salary into an RHS investment account. This account is available for use by the employee at retirement or separation of service. Eligible uses of the funds include medical expenses such as health insurance premiums, dental/vision expenses, coinsurance, and co-pays for employees, spouse, and/or dependents.

Note: Upon separation, a mandatory 50 percent of accrued vacation, compensatory and payout-eligible sick leave will be contributed to your RHS balance.

HOLIDAYS

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

PERSONAL LEAVE

At the beginning of each fiscal year, employees are credited with three personal days (24 hours). Personal leave may not be accumulated and carried over into the next fiscal year (July 1st). Personal leave is prorated based on the number of hours of regularly scheduled work.

VACATION

Vacation accrual rates are based on years of service. Vacation leave is prorated based on the number of hours of regularly scheduled work. Vacation accrual rates and maximum accumulations are:

SICK LEAVE

Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per pay period (approximately 1 day per month). The maximum accumulation of sick leave is 1,200 hours. Employees begin with a “bank” of 48 hours and start accruing sick leave after six (6) months. The maximum accumulation of sick leave is 1,200 hours. Sick leave is prorated based on the number of hours of regularly scheduled work.

LONGEVITY PAY

Employees receive longevity pay based upon their years of continuous employment with the City. Longevity pay is an addition to the employees’ base wage rate, as follows:

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

The City of Champaign offers employees the opportunity to participate in a tax-deferred annuity plan and/or Roth plan of the Mission Square Retirement Corporation through payroll deduction. This is an optional plan with no City contributions. More information may be obtained by contacting Client Services (1-800-669-7400) or Human Resources at 217-403-8770.

HANDBOOK

View the current Non-Bargaining Unit (NBU) Handbook at champaignil.gov/hr/jobs/bargaining-units.