The Department of General Services (GSD) is seeking one (1) Student Professional Worker (SPW) to provide administrative and analytical support within its Finance Division’s Payroll Section.
Duties and Responsibilities: Primary responsibilities include examining payroll records for accuracy, entering verified data into internal processing applications, and resolving discrepancies prior to final submission. Additionally, the Student Professional Worker audits automated calculation outputs, reconciles misallocated work order entries within enterprise software, and assists supervisory personnel with general office assignments. Under direct professional guidance, this role offers practical exposure to municipal finance operations, data integrity protocols, and enterprise software for individuals looking to build foundational business
skills.
The position reports directly to the Department Payroll Supervisor.
Students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during school breaks; subject to supervisor’s discretion.
General Qualifications:
1. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and Google Workspace
2. Basic understanding of data handling, recordkeeping, and accurate data entry
3. Strong numerical aptitude with the ability to review and verify calculations for accuracy
4. High attention to detail with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage competing priorities
5. Clear written and verbal communication skills for collaborating effectively with staff and supervisors
Requirement:
1. Candidates must be either full-time college students, (in [or entering] their Junior or Senior year) or full-time graduate or professional school students.
Selection Process:
Applications are subject to review. The most qualified candidates will be scheduled for interviews.
Interested parties should submit a completed City application, verification of their college or graduate school status, and resume to Mai Tran, Personnel Liaison Services.
The application materials must be emailed to:
EMAIL: mai.h.tran@lacity.org
The subject line should read:
Student Professional Worker - GSD Finance
Applications must be received by Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 4 PM
NOTES ON EXEMPT EMPLOYMENT
If employment is said to be exempt, it is meant that the employment is exempted from the civil service provisions of the City Charter. In order to receive a regular civil service appointment, employees must have successfully participated in a civil service examination, received a high enough score on the examination to be placed on and receive an appointment from an eligible list, and they must serve a probationary period.
Exempt employees do not compete in a civil service examination, they are not placed on an eligible list and receive an appointment from that list, nor do they serve a probationary period. As a result, exempt employees do not have what is referred to as a “property interest” in their job. Exempt employees serve at the will of the appointing authority and can be terminated at any time without cause. Employees with a property interest in their job, i.e. civil service employees, cannot be deprived of their employment (discharged or suspended) without due
process.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT EXEMPT EMPLOYMENT
Exempt employees serve at the will of the appointing authority, and as such, they may be discharged, suspended or otherwise disciplined without cause.
Exempt employees have no property interest in their employment, and any procedural benefit or other prerogative extended to them by their appointing authority is not intended to create and does not create any such property interest.
No officer or employee of the City may make to any other officer or employee any
representation of a property interest in employment which does not correspond to Charter provisions unless the City Council, by ordinance, permits such representation. No unauthorized representation can serve as the basis of an employee’s reliance on, or expectation of, a property interest.
