Public Service Associate - Service & License Center

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is “Be More” and we strive every day to achieve excellent public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation. We aim to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

About the role

The Public Service Associate performs a wide variety of daily customer service-oriented job functions involving specialized knowledge of regulatory and statutory requirements, operating procedures, and software programs. Responsibilities include cash receipting, vital statistic recording, posting of financial information, processing documents, providing property tax information, and other general office duties.

Responsibilities

• Respond to and provide timely and effective service to a wide variety of public inquiries by phone or in person.
• Assess and determine the appropriate action for each customer contact.
• Assist customers in processing Vital Records; may assist other County Service and License Centers.
• Provide complete and accurate technical information relating to licensing, vital statistics.
• Coordinate with internal and external contacts for efficiency and accuracy when asked.
• Review documents and applications for accuracy and compliance with statutes; determine whether documents have the required information.
• Approve, deny, or return applications or documents, as appropriate.
• Process records and applications by entering information into the proper computer system; amend, index, and file documents.
• Understand and interpret terminology.
• Receipt a variety of payments and service fees; correctly calculate license fees and complete tax calculations.
• Prepare estimates and communicate information to customers.
• Process transactions in a cash collection system using proper revenue codes, validate receipts and documents, process overpayments.
• Balance receipts and reports daily.
• Determine and update public and non-public records utilizing technical applications.
• Perform duties such as proofing, verifying information, and preparing mailings; process outgoing mail and distribute incoming U.S. and interoffice mail.
• Assist in training new staff.
• Draft correspondence, complete forms, create charts, and compose documents using correct grammar; follow-up on correspondence.
• Instruct and assist customers to access property information and archived records on public information terminals.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent GED.
• Two years of office experience, which must include working directly with the public in an office setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Up to two years of experience in a customer service environment.
• Prior experience processing vital records and using cashiering systems.
• Proficiency in speaking and/or writing a secondary language.

Skills

• Ability to prioritize and organize work, meet deadlines, and process work efficiently in a busy environment while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Knowledge and understanding of office procedures, regulations, Minnesota statutes and rules, and practices related to licenses, vital statistics, elections, property records, and property taxes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.
• Ability to understand and administer statutory and department policies and requirements.
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of business English, grammar, and mathematics.
• Ability to explain instructions, policies, statutes, rules, procedures, and systems to the public in layperson terms.
• Ability to analyze information and make decisions.
• Knowledge of basic accounting principles, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and various office machines (e.g., calculator, telephone, copy and fax machine).

Work Environment

• Work is performed within a county office building.
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent wrist and finger manipulation due to filing, compiling, calculating, or computer work.

Pay

Preferred hiring range: $46,720–$58,400 (Grade 104). Salary range: $46,720–$73,000.

Schedule

Full-time.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year).
• Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year.
• Pension with a generous employer contribution.
• Ability to work from home some of the time.