Public Service Associate

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive

DEPARTMENT: Service and License Center

HOURS: Full-time

PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $44,816- $50,418 (Grade 104)

SALARY RANGE: $44,816- $70,025

LOCATION: Apple Valley

UNION: Non-Union

CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on October 27, 2025

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

Various locations, current opening at the Western Service Center, Apple Valley.

Who We Are

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.

Dakota County aims 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.

• High school diploma or equivalent GED, AND
• Two years office experience, which MUST include:
• working directly with the public in an office setting, AND
• working with personal computers in an office setting.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE BEYOND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Up to two (2) years of experience working in a customer service setting.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

• Respond to and provide timely and effective service to and 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 be called on to 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 to be recorded have the required information. Approve, deny, or return applications or documents, as appropriate. Process the records and applications by entering information into proper computer system. Appropriately 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 of 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.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1 through 4 are essential functions.

• Ability to prioritize and organize work, meet deadlines, process work in an efficient manner and maintain a positive attitude in a busy work environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of office procedures, regulations, Minnesota statutes and rules, procedures and practices of various types of licenses, vital statistics, elections, property records and property taxes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
• Understand and administer statutory and department policies and requirements.
• Ability to listen carefully.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of business English, grammar and mathematics.
• Ability to understand and explain in layperson terms: instructions, policies, statutes, rules, procedures and systems to the general public.
• 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed within a County office building. Lifting requirement of up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Frequent wrist and finger manipulation due to high concentration of filing, compiling, calculating or computer work. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to computer, calculator, telephone, copy and fax machine.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other 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

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks