Yakima County
Office Specialist I
There is an Office Specialist I vacancy with Yakima County District Court. The Office Specialist I plays a vital role in supporting the daily operations of the District Court by providing front-line customer service and performing a variety of administrative tasks. This position is responsible for receipting payments, adjusting accounts receivable, and responding to inquiries from the public, court users, and partner agencies, serving both the Clerk's Office and the Probation Department. Key responsibilities include scheduling hearings, accurately entering data for documents filed at the front counter such as civil protection orders, civil case filings, name change petitions and court hearing requests. Provide support to the Probation Counselors by entering case information and check in clients for their appointments. This position requires attention to detail, strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, public-facing environment. Benefits included in position: Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD), Retirement Benefits, Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Paid Sick Leave. Responsibilities: Creates accounts receivable & time payment arrangement records; monitors, posts & disburses bail/bonds; monitors bench warrant & "Failure to Appear" status in order to maintain accurate Dept of Licensing records. Receives and receipts payments in person, by phone, and by mail. Reviews Accounts Receivable documents and creates/adjusts for financial accuracy or adjustments. Conducts financial interviews with court clients & establishes financial payment schedules with client, applying knowledge of State/Local Court Rules, Court/Probation procedures and policies. Issues Department of Licensing (DOL) Failure to Appear (FTA) notices; identifies FTA issues on traffic infractions and coordinates activities with other agencies involved; removes FTA when appropriate by contacting the Department of Licensing. Monitors Court financial accounts & determines eligibility for collection action according to established procedures. Processes collection-eligible accounts. Prepares and mails out payment reminders notifications for outstanding fines and fees in accordance with established timelines and procedures. Performs data entry for documents filed at the counter, including civil protection orders, name changes petitions and civil filings, ensuring timely and accurate record keeping. Provides administrative support to probation, including data entry for new and ongoing probation cases and checking in clients for scheduled appointments. Performs other duties required. Education and Experience: High School Diploma or GED AND three (3) years of clerical and/or financial training/experience beyond high school including six (6) months in area of specialty; OR any combination of experience or training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Required: Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal and financial background investigation and general employment verification. Preferred: Bilingual in Spanish/English. Collections experience. Government accounting experience; and/or Legal office experience. Equipment Used: Computer, calculator, fax machine, copy machine, tape recording machine, telephone, small office equipment such as stapler and hole punch. Working Conditions: This position is rated as Sedentary Work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Environment: Duties are performed in an office and/or court setting and may involve exposure to potentially violent or hostile individuals; confidentiality is a requirement. The courtroom environment is unique. Security issues, handling of exhibits, domestic violence issues, and jury integrity are daily events. Traveling and multiple work locations. Physical Demands: carrying, handling, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, fingering, hearing, and talking. Intellectual Demands: ability to multitask, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, and ability to follow verbal instruction. Knowledge: The legal system including legal terminology, court rules and procedures. Computers and word processing software. Roles and responsibilities of a Limited Jurisdiction Court, and other judicial system departments and agencies. Basic mathematics and accounting theories and principles. Grammar, spelling and punctuation. File maintenance techniques. Customer service techniques. Office practices and procedures. Data processing system and methods for input. Modern office procedures and customer service techniques. Skills and Abilities: Critical thinking sufficient to summarize and interpret Court rulings, written opinions and legal documents. Writing business correspondence, drafting documents, and recording minutes. Reviewing and verifying accounting information and performing calculations. Counting money and making correct change. Organization, prioritization and time management. Communication of complex and/or sensitive information to a widely diverse population. Use of office equipment and computer equipment and software. Making responsible decisions in accordance with office policies and state statutes. Establishing effective working relationships with co-workers, other agencies and the general public. Working effectively with constant interruptions. Communicating and expressing ideas effectively, orally and in writing. An Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply. Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person's age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish the information. Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information. Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer.
There is an Office Specialist I vacancy with Yakima County District Court. The Office Specialist I plays a vital role in supporting the daily operations of the District Court by providing front-line customer service and performing a variety of administrative tasks. This position is responsible for receipting payments, adjusting accounts receivable, and responding to inquiries from the public, court users, and partner agencies, serving both the Clerk's Office and the Probation Department. Key responsibilities include scheduling hearings, accurately entering data for documents filed at the front counter such as civil protection orders, civil case filings, name change petitions and court hearing requests. Provide support to the Probation Counselors by entering case information and check in clients for their appointments. This position requires attention to detail, strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, public-facing environment. Benefits included in position: Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD), Retirement Benefits, Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Paid Sick Leave. Responsibilities: Creates accounts receivable & time payment arrangement records; monitors, posts & disburses bail/bonds; monitors bench warrant & "Failure to Appear" status in order to maintain accurate Dept of Licensing records. Receives and receipts payments in person, by phone, and by mail. Reviews Accounts Receivable documents and creates/adjusts for financial accuracy or adjustments. Conducts financial interviews with court clients & establishes financial payment schedules with client, applying knowledge of State/Local Court Rules, Court/Probation procedures and policies. Issues Department of Licensing (DOL) Failure to Appear (FTA) notices; identifies FTA issues on traffic infractions and coordinates activities with other agencies involved; removes FTA when appropriate by contacting the Department of Licensing. Monitors Court financial accounts & determines eligibility for collection action according to established procedures. Processes collection-eligible accounts. Prepares and mails out payment reminders notifications for outstanding fines and fees in accordance with established timelines and procedures. Performs data entry for documents filed at the counter, including civil protection orders, name changes petitions and civil filings, ensuring timely and accurate record keeping. Provides administrative support to probation, including data entry for new and ongoing probation cases and checking in clients for scheduled appointments. Performs other duties required. Education and Experience: High School Diploma or GED AND three (3) years of clerical and/or financial training/experience beyond high school including six (6) months in area of specialty; OR any combination of experience or training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Required: Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal and financial background investigation and general employment verification. Preferred: Bilingual in Spanish/English. Collections experience. Government accounting experience; and/or Legal office experience. Equipment Used: Computer, calculator, fax machine, copy machine, tape recording machine, telephone, small office equipment such as stapler and hole punch. Working Conditions: This position is rated as Sedentary Work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Environment: Duties are performed in an office and/or court setting and may involve exposure to potentially violent or hostile individuals; confidentiality is a requirement. The courtroom environment is unique. Security issues, handling of exhibits, domestic violence issues, and jury integrity are daily events. Traveling and multiple work locations. Physical Demands: carrying, handling, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, fingering, hearing, and talking. Intellectual Demands: ability to multitask, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, and ability to follow verbal instruction. Knowledge: The legal system including legal terminology, court rules and procedures. Computers and word processing software. Roles and responsibilities of a Limited Jurisdiction Court, and other judicial system departments and agencies. Basic mathematics and accounting theories and principles. Grammar, spelling and punctuation. File maintenance techniques. Customer service techniques. Office practices and procedures. Data processing system and methods for input. Modern office procedures and customer service techniques. Skills and Abilities: Critical thinking sufficient to summarize and interpret Court rulings, written opinions and legal documents. Writing business correspondence, drafting documents, and recording minutes. Reviewing and verifying accounting information and performing calculations. Counting money and making correct change. Organization, prioritization and time management. Communication of complex and/or sensitive information to a widely diverse population. Use of office equipment and computer equipment and software. Making responsible decisions in accordance with office policies and state statutes. Establishing effective working relationships with co-workers, other agencies and the general public. Working effectively with constant interruptions. Communicating and expressing ideas effectively, orally and in writing. An Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply. Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person's age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish the information. Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information. Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer.