County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under supervision, to transcribe from mechanical dictation equipment various detailed narrative reports, case records, letters and memoranda; to edit work; and to perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Positions allocated to this class are distinguished from Clerk II and Stenographer II positions where some machine transcription may be required, in that Transcriptionists spend fifty per cent or more of their working time performing machine transcription work using technical terminology or typing transcripts verbatim. Additionally, transcriptionists are required to type at a speed of not less than 55 words per minute with 80% accuracy.
Transcriptionists are distinguished from Medical Transcriptionists in that incumbents of the latter class are required to transcribe medical dictation of a specialized nature and as such must be fully knowledgeable in medical terminology.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Transcribes a variety of detailed and technical narrative reports, correspondence, forms, and legal documents from a dictaphone.
2. Types in final format from dictaphone using correct grammar and providing proper punctuation, sentence structure and format; meets prescribed deadlines.
3. Answers telephone, takes messages and relays information; files correspondence, reports, forms and miscellaneous papers.
4. Segregates and routes incoming mail; operates office machines such as teletype and automatic copier; acts as a relief in other sections.
5. May act as receptionist, assisting visitors and callers by referring them to sources of information; may operate a switchboard or a call director.
6. May be required to receive money from the public, make change, issue receipts and balance monies received at end of day.
7. May maintain statistics; set up control records and prepares statistical reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of six months of experience in the class of Stenographer I or an equivalent or higher level class in the Alameda County classified service with at least 6 months of transcription experience. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of experience in the class of Clerk I or an equivalent or higher level class in the Alameda County classified service with at least 6 months of transcription experience. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or III

The equivalent of one year of machine transcription experience or completion of a business or clerical course approved by the Civil Service Commission, which included machine transcription.

Special Requirement:

All candidates must be able to type at a speed of 55 words per minute with 80% accuracy.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Modern office practices.
• Basic elements of correct English usage, grammar, spelling and arithmetic.

Ability to:

• Operate a transcribing machine.
• Work under pressure and meet prescribed time deadlines.
• Deal with numerous interruptions.
• Perform tasks under minimal supervision and with brief instructions.
• Adjust to different persons who dictate with unfamiliar native language accents.
• Spell and punctuate correctly.
• Use correct English and sentence structure.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relations with the public.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Old document: Revised: 9/84
TT:Lm-h Revised: 3/85
TMZ:pb Revised: 5/88
Old doc: 0129h - Not found in system
New doc: Jobspecs/1212.doc
ys/11/00
CSC Date: 6/15/88
Clerical Study Admin. Change 4/19/04
CSC Date: 5/24/2006

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.