Fiscal Specialist at Glenn Superior Court – Willows, California

This classification performs specialized duties in support of Court operations including accounting and collections duties; processing cases with court-ordered fines, fees, assessments, restitution, and costs; monitoring compliance with court orders; processing a variety of legal documents in support of the operations of the Court; and performing related duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Incumbents do not supervise other staff. Incumbents receive general supervision from the Fiscal and Administrative Services Manager or other supervisory or management staff, as assigned.
The following duties are typical of those performed by the incumbent in this classification. However, other duties may also be required.
•Determines defendants' ability to pay court-imposed financial obligations; establishes and amends payment plans.
•Evaluates, determines and modifies appropriate work assignments and/or community service programs in lieu of fines.
•Verifies compliance with court orders, and reports findings to the court as required.
•Adjusts monies and fee codes in the Court's case management system.
•Reports traffic convictions and license holds/releases to, and obtains information from, the Department of Motor Vehicles.
•Facilitates the collection of court-ordered debt through various recovery methods.
•Interprets and explains rules, regulations, and policies for court referrals to work site supervisors and the public.
•Explains fines and fees, as well as the legal obligations and possible legal consequences of non-payment.
•Maintains financial and statistical records, monitors accounts, and prepares reports.
•Inputs data into various spreadsheets, programs and the Court's case management system.
•Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Required:
•Applicable rules and statutes concerning California trial court functions and procedures.
•Code of Ethics for California Court Employees.
•Court methods and practices; legal terminology and document processing.
•Collection and auditing techniques.
•Standard legal procedures applicable to collection of delinquent accounts and enforcement of judgments.
•Standards for determining economic status and ability to meet financial obligations.
•Sources of information used in locating individuals and assessing an individual's financial status.
•Community resources and the criminal justice system.
•Methods and techniques used in determining financial assets.
•Modern office equipment including computers, fax machines and copiers.
•Computer software applications including word processing and spreadsheet programs.
•Modern office practices such as filing, records maintenance, preparing correspondence and reports.
•Basic mathematical and accounting principles.
•Principles of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
•Basic legal terminology and documents.
•Basic public contact and customer service techniques.
•Cash handling and cash drawer balancing techniques.
•Terminology and systems used in the collection of accounts in a criminal justice setting.

Skills and Abilities Required:
•Type and perform data entry and arithmetical calculations with speed and accuracy; prepare clear and concise written reports; maintain accurate records and document actions taken.
•Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations based on findings; exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
•Perform clerical, accounting and collection activities including collecting delinquent fees and fines.
•Provide referrals to court-ordered community services programs; provide information regarding fines, fees and community service to applicable judicial partners.
•Maintain composure and professional demeanor while dealing with difficult or upset individuals, or those who may resist in complying with court ordered sanctions.
•Work cooperatively and interact tactfully with the public, justice partners, Court employees, judicial officers and with others contacted in the course of work.
•Understand, explain and apply laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the legal collections of funds, terms and conditions of probation and other court orders.
•Accurately count cash, post credits and adjustments to collection accounts and balance daily receipts.
•Operate a variety of office equipment including a computer, scanner, phone, fax, etc.
•Safeguard sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
•Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; follow oral and written directions and instructions.
•Work in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful, environment; effectively multi­task and prioritize work to meet deadlines.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two (2) years of clerical, accounting or collections support experience in a customer service environment, and one (1) year of experience in cash handling.

Experience in a criminal justice environment highly desired.

Education: Possession of an Associate Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in public administration, business administration, administration of justice, or closely related field, may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those an employee typically encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. However, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully
perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be available to a qualified individual with a disability that will enable him/her to perform the essential functions of the Fiscal Specialist classification.

Ability to sit for extended periods of time; dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper; frequent lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling of objects weighing up to 25 pounds; strength, dexterity and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a daily basis; vision which can be corrected to a level sufficient to read handwritten, typed and computer generated information and data; hearing and speech ability sufficient to enable communication by telephone and in-person; ability to frequently reach for and/or twist for items above and below desk level, sometimes with the assistance of a ladder or stepstool; frequently moves from place to place within the office; frequently walks short distances; and vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus to enable incumbent to decipher color coded files, forms, complete data entry and read operating instructions and procedures.

Work Environment: While performing the responsibilities of the Fiscal Specialist, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment an employee will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Work is performed in an office environment with little exposure to outdoor temperatures, dirt, or dust. The incumbent's working conditions are typically quiet but may be loud at times at some locations. The noise level and traffic level in the work environment are similar to a busy office. This role routinely uses standard office equipment. Travel to visit other branches within the county and travel to attend professional meetings and trainings in and outside of the county may be required on a frequent basis.

Normal court business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Alternate work shifts may occur.