LICENSING SPECIALIST

Thurston County; Olympia (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-Life Balance

Retirement benefits

Paid Leave and Holidays

Training program

Flexible schedules

Deferred compensation

FSA

Job summary

Thurston County is seeking a Licensing Specialist in Olympia to join a busy Licensing & Recording team. You will handle motor vehicle and vessel licensing, review titles, and process renewals with accuracy and strong public-facing service.

The role emphasizes customer communication, cash handling, and knowledge of Washington licensing systems. Training is provided, with a career ladder and generous employee benefits in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• DOL qualification in Washington State within 1 year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional, responsive, and accurate customer service.
• Review vehicle registration renewals and title applications for processing.
• Understand and communicate Washington State vehicle licensing laws, rules, and policies.
• In-depth knowledge and navigation of the DRIVES/Core 21 system.
• Accurate data entry into DRIVES/Core 21, cash handling, and daily deposits.
• Review and accept Passport applications.

Skills

Public contact

Customer service

Data entry

Typing 50 wpm

Cash handling

Motor vehicle licensing knowledge

Education

High School Diploma or GED

DOL qualification (WA) within 1 year

Tools

DRIVES/Core 21

10-key adding machine

MS Office

Job description

The salary for this position is: $4,033.00 - $5,364.00 monthly.

The Thurston County Auditor’s Licensing & Recording Division is seeking a professional, highly motivated, and dependable candidate for the position of Licensing Specialist to join our hard-working team. This is an exciting opportunity for those with outstanding customer service skills, effective at communicating, and possess acute attention to detail, seeking to begin their career in vehicle licensing, work in a great environment, and receive excellent benefits.

In this role you will serve as the customer service representative for the County Auditor's licensing functions and be responsible for motor vehicles, vessel, and other miscellaneous licensing functions. This position receives and interprets records, balances daily receipts from licensing activities including legal documents required in title transfers and registrations, and engages in significant public contact requiring effective communication and service to the customers.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide professional, responsive, and accurate customer service
• Review vehicle registration renewals and title applications for transaction processing
• Understand and communicate Washington State vehicle licensing laws, rules, and policies
• In-depth knowledge and navigation of the Washington State DOL DRIVES/Core 21 system
• Accurate data entry into DRIVES/Core 21, cash handling, and completion of daily deposits
• Review and accept Passport applications

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment – Professional, fast paced, team-oriented office setting in Olympia, Washington, primarily sitting at a customer service workstation
• Schedule – Monday thru Friday, 7:50 a.m. – 4:50 p.m.
• Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to visit Licensing Subagencies, attend meetings, or training.
• Customer Interactions - Daily frequent interactions in-person, via phone, and e-mail with the public, Department of Licensing, Licensing Subagents, and Thurston County staff.

WHO WE ARE:

The Thurston County Auditor’s Licensing & Recording Division takes enormous pride in providing excellent customer service. To achieve that, we emphasis effective communication, cohesive and supportive teamwork, while maintaining the highest levels of integrity.

We focus on long term career development through our Licensing & Recording Specialist Career Ladder. On-the-job training will be provided for selected employees in the Licensing and Recording Specialist series. The successful candidate(s) will be the employee(s) having the highest proficiency, skills and readiness for advancement. These employees will be compensated for performing duties at the higher classification during the training period. Upon successful completion of the program, the employee shall be reclassified into the higher-level job classification and retain the increase in pay. The career ladder opportunity for the Licensing and Recording Specialist II will only be available to employees in the Licensing Specialist or Recording Specialist job classifications. Only employees in the Licensing and Recording Specialist II job classification are eligible to apply for the Licensing and Recording Specialist III. A complete description of the Licensing and Recording Specialist career ladder can be found in the AFSCME Local 618-CO and Thurston County Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensuring that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plansfor more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of including alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why you’ll love it here:

Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Message to potential applicants:

We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and have the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years of general office experience with significant public contact and financial accountability.
• Washington State DOL qualification (within one year of hire).
• Must type 50 wpm and operate a 10-key adding machine. Ability to use a personal computer, software packages and mainframe database systems to successfully perform the duties of the position.
• Must be bondable.
• Must be able and willing to work a varying work schedule when required.
• Current Washington State Driver's License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
• Must pass background check.

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Knowledge of State title and license regulations as they pertain to vehicles/vessels and the DRIVES operating system.
• Knowledge of state and county statutes/ordinances regulating marriage, animal, business, peddler, ambulance, circus, auctioneer, erotic dance and amusement licenses. Ability to communicate the laws and application procedures to customers.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate financial and clerical records.
• Basic knowledge of computers, programs and applications, and ability to operate office equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to create and maintain good public relations.
• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks concurrently.
• Ability to work independently and make appropriate decisions regarding work methods.
• Ability to process and account for money.
• Understanding of inventory control techniques and cash management process.

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Jared Krause, Licensing & Recording Manager at 360.754.4661 or [e-mail]

Items requested for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of Interest

Please note:

Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at [phone]. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves.