Public Service Associate - Property Taxation & Records

Dakota County, Minnesota; Hastings (MN); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid time off

Holidays

Pension

Work from home

Job summary

Dakota County's Administration Center in Hastings seeks a Public Service Associate in Property Taxation & Records to handle cash receipts, land-record processing, and update tax information while delivering friendly customer service.

You will work across multiple office systems, verify documents, assist the public, and help train new staff. This full-time role offers hybrid work, a comprehensive benefits package, and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two years customer service experience in an office setting.
• Proficiency using computers and common office technology.

Responsibilities

• Respond to and provide timely and effective service to and wide variety of public inquiries by phone or in person.
• Provide complete and accurate technical information relating to property records, property taxation and assessment.
• Review documents and applications for accuracy and compliance with statutes.
• Receipt a variety of payments and service fees. Correctly calculate fees and complete tax calculations.
• Determine and update public and non-public records utilizing technical applications.
• Perform duties such as proofing, verifying information, and preparing mailings.
• Instruct and assist customers to access property information and archived records on public information terminals.

Skills

Customer service

Computer proficiency

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Property Taxation and Records
HOURS: Full-time
HYBRID: May be available up to 2 days per week following a training period of approximately 6 months.
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $46,720 - $58,400 (Grade 104)
FULL SALARY RANGE: $46,720- $73,000
LOCATION: Administration Center - Hastings
UNION: Non-Union
CLOSE DATE: Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

The Public Service Associate - Property Taxation & Recordsis responsible for performing a variety of technical duties related to property recording and property taxation, including cash receipting, processing land records documents, updating property tax information, posting of financial information, and other general office duties. 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.

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is “Be More” and we strive every day to achieve excellent public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Two years customer service experience that includes:
  • direct interaction with the public in an office environment, AND
  • proficiency using computers and common office technology.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience working with official records or documents (such as property records, licenses, or applications).

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 position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Respond to and provide timely and effective service to and wide variety of public inquiries by phone or in person. Assess and determine the appropriate action for each customer contact. Assist customers in processing the functions identified in #2.
2. Provide complete and accurate technical information relating to property records, property taxation and assessment. Coordinate with internal and external contacts for efficiency and accuracy when needed.
3. 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 and multiple computer systems.
4. Receipt a variety of payments and service fees. Correctly calculate 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.
5. Determine and update public and non-public records utilizing technical applications.
6. Perform duties such as proofing, verifying information, and preparing mailings. Process outgoing mail and distribute incoming U. S. and interoffice mail. Assist in training new staff.
7. Draft correspondence, complete forms, create charts, and compose documents using correct grammar. Follow-up on correspondence. Sort and file various kinds of documents and information.
8. Instruct and assist customers to access property information and archived records on public information terminals.

• 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 computer work.

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.

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

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 working environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.