Specialist Clerk I

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN EXISTING EXAMINATION. IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY APPLIED (OR STARTED AN APPLICATION) FOR THE SPECIALIST CLERK I, EXAM # 17-1128-01, READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN. THERE ARE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REAPPLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT. IN ORDER TO REAPPLY FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE CONTACT THE EXAMINATION ANALYST AT LINDSAY.CHRISTOPHER@ACGOV.ORG TO HAVE YOUR PREVIOUS APPLICATION RELEASED BACK TO YOU.

The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you have previously submitted an application and choose to reapply, your new score/disposition will replace your current disposition.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Qualified bilingual persons who speak English and are also fluent in: Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Korean, Mien, Tagalog, Amharic, Farsi, Dari, Tigrigna, Russian, Romanian or Sign Languages are especially encouraged to apply.There is an additional bi weekly compensation for persons in positions designated bilingual.  Qualified candidates may be tested to demonstrate language proficiency.

THE POSITION
Under general supervision, to do 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. T

THE VACANCIES
There are immediate vacancies are located in the Health Care Services Agency, Probation Department, Public Defender's Office, and the Social Services Agency. However, the eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in other department/agencies within the county.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications below, ideal candidates will possess strong office support skills and experience, relevant computer applications knowledge and experience, as well as demonstrated success in the following areas:

• Actively participated as a valued member of a work team.
• Maintained effectiveness when experiencing major changes in priorities, procedures and/or responsibilities.
• Assimilated and applied newly learned information on the job.
• Provided exceptional service to internal and external customers.
• Maintained quality performance while under pressure or opposition.
• Ensured the quality and accuracy of your work products.
• Utilized effective approaches for choosing a course of action.

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. 

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.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

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.

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

1. A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of the minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.

2. A written examination (pass/fail). The highest scoring candidates will move on to the next step in the examination process.

3. A computer skills assessment with the following components (pass/fail):

        A. Microsoft Word
        B. Microsoft Excel
        C. Typing Test
Only candidates who pass the computer skills assessment will be invited to the oral interview process.

4. An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.  We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

Deadline for Filing:                                                                                5:00pm, Monday, June 25, 2018
Review of Minimum Qualifications:                                                                    Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Written Examination:                                                                                          Week of August 6, 2018
Performance Examination:                                                                               Week of August 27, 2018
Panel Interviews:                                                                                              Week of October 2, 2018

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs   

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 & Welfare Benefits

• Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
• Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
• County Allowance
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Group Auto/Home
• 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.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.