Public Service Associate - Service & License Center
Salary
$46,720.00 - $73,000.00 Annually
Location
Various Throughout Dakota County, MN
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
7418.26.006
Department
Service and License Centers
Opening Date
10/19/2026
Closing Date
10/30/2026 4:30 PM Central
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
General Description
POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Service and License Center
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $46,720- $58,400 (Grade 104)
SALARY RANGE: $46,720- $73,000
LOCATION: Burnsville License Center
UNION: Non-Union
CLOSE DATE: Friday, October 30, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
The Public Service Associate is responsible for performing a wide variety of daily customer service-oriented job functions involving the specialized knowledge of regulatory and statutory requirements, operating procedures, and software programs. Responsible for performing a variety of technical duties including cash receipting, vital statistic recording, posting of financial information, processing of documents, providing property tax information, and other general office duties.
Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellent public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.
Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent GED, AND
- Two years office experience, which MUST include working directly with the public in an office setting.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE BEYOND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Up to two (2) years of experience in a customer service environment.
- Prior experience processing vital records and using cashiering systems.
- Proficient in speaking and / or writing a secondary language.
Duties & Responsibilities
These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the positions management approved work schedule is required for all positions.
- Respond to and provide timely and effective service to a wide variety of public inquiries by phone or in person. Assess and determine the appropriate action for each customer contact. Assist customers in processing Vital Records.
- May be called on to assist other County Service and License Centers.
- Provide complete and accurate technical information relating to licensing, vital statistics. Coordinate with internal and external contacts for efficiency and accuracy when asked.
- Review documents and applications for accuracy and compliance with statutes. Determine whether documents to be recorded have the required information. Approve, deny, or return applications or documents, as appropriate. Process the records and applications by entering information into proper computer system. Appropriately amend, index and file documents. Understand and interpret terminology.
- Receipt a variety of payments and service fees. Correctly calculate license fees and complete tax calculations. Prepare estimates and communicate information to customers. Process transactions in a cash collection system using proper revenue codes, validate receipts and documents, process overpayments. Balance receipts and reports daily.
- Determine and update public and non-public records utilizing technical applications.
- Perform duties such as proofing, verifying information, and preparing mailings. Process outgoing mail and distribute incoming U. S. and interoffice mail. Assist in training of new staff.
- Draft correspondence, complete forms, create charts, and compose documents using correct grammar. Follow-up on correspondence.
- Instruct and assist customers to access property information and archived records on public information terminals.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1 through 4 are essential functions.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment
- Ability to prioritize and organize work, meet deadlines, process work in an efficient manner and maintain a positive attitude in a busy work environment.
- Knowledge and understanding of office procedures, regulations, Minnesota statutes and rules, procedures and practices of various types of licenses, vital statistics, elections, property records and property taxes.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
- Understand and administer statutory and department policies and requirements.
- Ability to listen carefully.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of business English, grammar and mathematics.
- Ability to understand and explain in layperson terms: instructions, policies, statutes, rules, procedures and systems to the public.
- Ability to analyze information and make decisions.
- Knowledge of basic accounting principles, practices and procedures.
- Ability to operate a personal computer and various office machines.
Work Environment
Work is performed within a county office building. Lifting requirement of up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Frequent wrist and finger manipulation due to high concentration of filing, compiling, calculating or computer work. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to computer, calculator, telephone, copy and fax machine.
Benefits
- Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
- Excellent work-life balance
- Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
- Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year
- Pension with a generous employer contribution
- Ability to work from home some of the time
Selection Process
- You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
- We assign you a score based on your qualifications
- Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
- We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
- We extend an offer and conduct background checks
Visit our Benefits site for more information.
01
- Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and/or match answers to the supplemental questions. Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.
02
Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?
03
Do you have two years customer service experience that includes working directly with the public in an office setting?
04
Do you have previous work-related Government/Public Sector office experience? (i.e. city, county, state, or federal). This experience must be clearly identified on your application.
05
Select your total years of related work experience processing vital records, licenses, passports or similar public documents. Count only full years of experience. This experience must be clearly identified on your application.
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years plus
06
Select your total years of related work experience working with a cashiering system. Count only full years of experience. This experience must be clearly identified on your application.
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years plus
07
Are you proficient in another language? Check all that apply:
- Speak
- Read
- Write
- Not proficient in another language.
08
If proficient in another language, identify the language and years of experience. If not, please indicate NONE.
09
Identify if you have 6 months or more work related experience using the Microsoft Office Products. Select all that apply.
- Outlook
- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Access
10
Select the statement below that best describes your work preferences.
- I prefer working primarily with the public.
- I prefer working primarily on the computer.
- I prefer working with the public and on the computer equally.
11
Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that you have reviewed, understand and possess the minimum qualifications for this position.
12
The full salary range for this position is $46,720 - $73,000 and preferred hiring range is $46,720 - $58,400 annually. The amount that is offered is dependent on the candidates' overall skills, education, experience and internal equity. The offer would also include the Countys benefits package.
Taking that information into consideration, what would be the minimum salary youd accept if selected for the position?
13
Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.
- Facebook
- Friend, Family or Colleague
- Indeed
- Job Fair or Dakota County Event
- Job Interest e-mails from Dakota County
- League of Minnesota Cities
- LinkedIn
- Diversityjobs.com
- Minnesotaworks.net
- Minnesota Association of Counties
- Monster
- Professional Association Website
- Referred by a Dakota County Employee
- College Website, Instructor, Career Services
- Dakota County Website
- Other
14
If you selected Other, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity with Dakota County.
Required Question
Employer Dakota County
Address Administration Center
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, Minnesota, 55033-2372
Phone 651.438.4435
Website http://dakotacountymn.gov