CLERK III

THE JOB: Under supervision, do varied clerical work of average difficulty and do other work as required. Positions in this class are characterized by the performance of specialized, difficult and responsible clerical work requiring thorough knowledge of clerical methods and procedures and the exercise of considerable discretion and independent judgment in performing and scheduling their work.  Incumbents may have extensive public contact, which entails explanation of departmental policies, laws and procedures which requires broad knowledge of the functions of County departments. Supervision exercised by positions in this class is limited to providing technical direction to subordinates and providing initial training and orientation to new employees. The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies during the life of the eligible list.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Two years of experience in general office clerical work that demonstrates application or possession of the required knowledge and abilities listed below. Formal secretarial or general office clerical training may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience on an hour for hour basis.

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of office procedures and practices, including preparation of correspondence and reports and filing; general knowledge of business English, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; and some knowledge of the principles of supervision and training may be required.

Ability to: Devise and modify work methods and procedures to serve changing needs; perform varied and difficult clerical work involving independent judgment and requiring accuracy and speed; quickly learn the specific operations of the office to which assigned; read and write English; spell correctly and use correct English; understand and follow oral and written directions; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with the public and others contacted in the course of work; make arithmetic computations; maintain complex records; assemble and organize data and prepare reports from such records; operate standard office equipment; write neatly and legibly; and type at a moderate rate of speed may be required for certain positions.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

ANNUAL LEAVE – 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years.  Available after six months for vacation and/or sick leave.

HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.

MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans.  For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.

DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.

VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.

RETIREMENT  – Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years.  County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security. 

LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $20,000 term policy.  Employee may purchase additional life insurance.

SDI – Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.

DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”

H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.

HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
OTHER – Other pay and benefit items apply to certain positions or assignments, such as Bilingual Pay and Night Shift Differential.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list.  The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants.  If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental application. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received:  1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) Submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.