Specialist Clerk I

This is a reinstatement, transfer or voluntary demotion opportunity for current and former regularly appointed employees of Alameda County.

Reinstatement:
Pursuant to Civil Service Rule 1744: On the request of a department head and approval of the Commission, a regularly appointed employee who resigned in good standing may, within three years after the effective date of his/her resignation, be reinstated in a position in the class from which he/she resigned or in a position in another class for which he/she may be eligible as determined by the Commission. Appointments by reinstatement following resignation are subject to the probationary period established for the class. You must have been a classified County employee in the same job code or in a job code at the same salary maximum and left the County in good standing. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Transfer:
You must be a current County classified employee in the same job code or in a job code with the same salary maximum for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Voluntary Demotion:
You must be a current County classified employee in a job code which is at a higher salary maximum than the vacancy for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Alameda County Public Defenders' mission is to zealously protect and defend the rights of our clients through compassionate and inspired legal representation of the highest quality, in pursuit of a fair and unbiased system of justice for all. We were the second public defender’s office created in California, chartered in 1927 by Earl Warren. He would later go on to become Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. During its first year, our office employed two lawyers.

Today, there are 100 attorneys, 18 investigators and a support staff of 40, who together handle approximately 40,000 cases a year. In 2012, the office was named the "Best Law Firm" in the East Bay by the Alameda County Bar Association. Within the pages of this website, you will find information regarding the role, functions, and services of the Public Defender, the history of the Office, answers to frequently asked questions, a directory of our law office locations, and employment information.

To learn more, visit http://acgov.org/defender/

 

THE POSITION

This position is responsible for performing difficult clerical work, requiring the exercise of considerable initiative and judgment, within the framework of County or department policies and procedures; and to do related work as required. This is a specialized clerical class. Incumbents of positions in this class perform duties requiring the exercise of initiative and judgment significantly beyond that of the journey-level class of Clerk II.  The majority of the duties assigned must fall into one of the following four categories:

1. Positions responsible for regularly eliciting information from or giving information to people in various stressful situations. The stressful situations mainly occur in "direct (face-to-face) personal" contact. Positions also fall into this category when, because of the situation and the type of clientele, the actual threat of bodily harm exists on a regularly recurring basis. Often the Specialist Clerk I is the public's initial contact with the County system. Such positions may be found in the Health Care Services Agency, Probation Department, Public Defender's Office, Social Services Agency, and the Sheriff's Office.

2. Positions responsible for independently resolving problems for which there is no immediate policy or clear precedent. Such positions may function in an isolated location or field office, or function as "Office Coordinators" for units with no ongoing, on-site clerical supervision.

3. Positions which require a specialized knowledge (as opposed to a general or a working knowledge) of broad and complex procedures, systems, rules, codes, and policies in order to perform their assigned duties. Such positions normally require a minimum of six months to one year of training in order to make independent decisions and determinations based on this specialized department and program knowledge.

4. Positions which require, as a major portion of the job, independent liaison activities (typically oral) with other agencies or other County Departments as a representative of the County. Incumbents of such positions regularly initiate action and have the authority to deviate from usual methods when independently performing duties. Often in these situations, supervision is not immediately available. 

 

This position is located in Dublin, California.

Either I

The equivalent of one year of experience in the class of Clerk II or in an equivalent or higher level clerical class in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of two years of full-time clerical experience.

License: Some positions may require a valid California Driver’s license.

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

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 and procedures, including business correspondence, filing, and standard office equipment operations.
• Specialized program knowledge of work requiring the application of a variety of rules, procedures, codes, calculations, and systems is required in some positions.
• Techniques and practices for dealing with individuals from various socio-economic and ethnic groups, in person, via telephone, and through correspondence (may include contacts with irate and hostile individuals).

Ability to:
• Analyze and problem solve.
• Communicate orally and in writing.
• Make decisions and take initiative.
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity.
• Adapt to challenging situations.
• Plan, organize and coordinate work.
• Work independently.

SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION CRITERIA:

1. For positions requiring the ability to type at a speed of not less than 40 net words per minute from clear copy. Typing must occupy more than 10 percent of working time. Typing may be on a typewriter, or a personal computer.
2. For positions requiring the ability to type at a speed of not less than 40 net words per minute from clear copy, and to take shorthand at a speed of not less than 80 words per minute and transcribe it accurately. Taking and transcribing shorthand must occupy more than 10 percent of working time.
3. For positions requiring the ability to type at a speed of not less than 40 net words per minute from clear copy, and to transcribe dictation from dictating equipment. Transcription must occupy more than 10 percent of working time. (Candidates indicating a willingness to use dictating equipment will be certified to those positions where using the equipment is required, without having to take a performance test.)

ALTERNATE RANGE CRITERIA:
1. For positions requiring incumbents to take and transcribe dictation via shorthand or dictating machine recording; these duties must occupy more than 10 percent of working time.


DEFINITIONS USED IN CRITERIA #3 OF "DISTINGUISHING FEATURES":

Specialized Knowledge:

Indicates that a minimum of six months to one year of specialized education or equivalent on-the-job training is necessary to acquire this specialized knowledge.

General Knowledge:

Indicates that information concerning a few of the more easily understood aspects from a variety of sources or complete understanding of all aspects from one source is required in order to perform the duties.

Working Knowledge:

Indicates an understanding of the usual finer points of general knowledge and an understanding of the details from a variety of sources is required in order to perform the duties.

Clerical work:

Work involving internal and external communications, recording and retrieval of data, and/or information and other paper work required in an office. No specialized education or training is required.

To apply please contact Annalyn Payopay (510) 272-6601 or Annalyn.payopay@acgov.org. 

You are encouraged to apply immediately as this posting is open until filled and may close at anytime.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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

• 11 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Employee Mortgage Loan Program
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• 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.