Clerical Specialist II - Human Services

Clerical Specialist II - Human Services

Salary

$51,854.40 - $72,654.40 Annually

Location

Government Center, 410 S. 5th St., Mankato, MN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-00076

Department

Human Services

Division

Financial Assistance

Opening Date

09/23/2026

Closing Date

10/2/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

DESCRIPTION

Under the direct supervision of the Human Services Supervisor - Financial Assistance, this position supports the mission of the Blue Earth County Human Services Department by delivering effective and efficient administrative support services that assist individuals and families in accessing essential programs and services. The Clerical Specialist II - Human Services provides a variety of office and administrative support functions for Human Services programs, including financial assistance and child support, while delivering excellent customer service to internal and external customers.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Follows established opening and closing procedures for the front desk and reception areas.
• Greets, screens, and directs callers and visitors to appropriate staff, units, or community resources. Coordinates interpreter services as needed.
• Performs records management and maintenance functions, including processing and distributing documents through the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS), maintaining accurate customer and case records, and complying with state and federal records retention requirements.
• Provides administrative support to program staff, including opening, sorting, and distributing incoming mail, faxes, and other communications.
• Maintains office, program, and reception supplies, forms, and informational materials.
• Operates department-specific software systems and general office equipment. Troubleshoots routine equipment issues and coordinates with Information Technology (IT) staff as appropriate.
• Participates in quality assurance and continuous improvement activities.
• Maintains a safe, secure, and functional environment for staff and visitors, including monitoring visitor logs and limiting facility access to authorized individuals.
• Responds to customer concerns and complaints and refers matters to supervisory staff as appropriate.
• Receives and forwards requests for data in compliance with Minnesota Government Data Practices requirements and Release of Information procedures.
• Opens and issues Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards in accordance with program procedures.
• Promotes a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
• Engages positively with both internal and external customers. Communicates and interacts effectively and respectfully with colleagues, supervisors, representatives from other organizations, and the public.
• Performs the physical and mental demands of the position.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance and may work extended evening or weekend hours as necessary to meet organizational needs.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Participates in professional staff development. Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency. Attends and participates in professional organizations. Associates with employees and departments from other counties and states for collaboration.
• Performs other related functions as apparent or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED; and
• A minimum of three (3) years of general clerical or administrative support experience; or
• A minimum of one (1) year of direct administrative experience in a County Human Services Department.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate's degree in human services, social work, business administration, or a related field.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience working in a medical, social services, or county office setting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or similar office software applications.
• Proficient in understanding and speaking languages other than English, such as Spanish, Somali, Chinese, Sudanese, and Arabic, among others.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Must comply with all federal and state laws and organizational and departmental policies and regulations.
• Must adhere to data practices policies and standards regarding non-public data. Access to non-public data must be limited to what is necessary to perform job duties. Employees must take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access and ensure secure storage of data in accordance with county policies and Minnesota Statutes.

HOURS OF WORK

HOURS OF WORK

Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position allows for flexible hours and may require some evening, weekend, and overtime hours.

Benefits Overview

AFSCME, No. 65 - Courthouse & Human Services

The County of Blue Earth provides a comprehensive, balanced, competitive total compensation package. The Countys benefit programs address both the immediate needs that you and your family may have, such as medical coverage or dependent care assistance, and your long-term needs, such as retirement savings. Benefits begin upon date of hire.

The following outlines County offered total compensation benefits. This document provides an overview and does not offer all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents and/or collective bargaining agreements, the plan documents will prevail.

Regular, Full-Time Employee

Wage/Salary Scale

Blue Earth County features a 12-Step Pay Plan. Our advertised salary ranges include all 12 Steps. A selected candidate will typically be offered Step 1 of the salary range. Additional salary considerations are subject to negotiation and dependent on skills and experience directly related to the position.

Vacation Leave

Vacation accruals, utilization, and payouts are detailed in the collective bargaining agreement and/or the employee handbook.

Blue Earth County Years of Service Bi-Weekly Accrual Rate

0 - 5 years - 3.85 hours

6 - 9 years - 4.77 hours

10 - 13 years - 5.69 hours

14 - 18 years - 6.62 hours

19 - 24 years - 7.54 hours

25 + years - 8.46 hours

Sick Leave

Employees accrue sick leave at a rate of 7.34 hours for each full month of service.

Paid Holidays

Blue Earth County recognizes 11 (88 hours) paid holidays, and employees receive one floating holiday per year.

Health Insurance

Employees may choose from 3-health insurance plans and either single or family coverage. Insurance Rates (Monthly) - Effective: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027

Plan 1: CMM $0 Deductible

Employee: Single - $157.63 / Family - $1,389.71

Employer: Single - $1,418.63 / Family - $3,242.66

Total Cost: Single - $1,576.26/ Family - $4,632.37

Plan 2: CMM $300 Deductible

Employee: Single - $1.18/ Family - $929.98

Employer: Single - $1,418.64 / Family - $3,242.66

Total Cost: Single - $1,419.82 / Family - $4,172.64

Plan 3: HDHP with HSA

Employee: Single - $0.00 / Family - $488.78

Employer: Single - $1,108.79 / Family - $2,769.74

Total Cost: Single - $1,108.79 / Family - $3,258.52

Blue Earth County contributes to a health savings account (HSA) when the employee elects the HDHP. Single coverage HSA contributions equal $1,700, and family coverage HSA contributions equal $3,400.

Life Insurance

Employees are provided with Term-Life Insurance at no cost to them:

• $20,000 term-life/$20,000 accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
• After ten (10) years of continuous employment with Blue Earth County, the policy will increase to $35,000 term-life/$35,000 accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)

Retirement

The County and the employee contribute to the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) based on a percentage of the employee wage:

General/Coordinated Plan

Employee: 6.5%

Employer: 7.5%

Voluntary Benefits Available

• AFLAC
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Nice Healthcare
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• Voluntary Life (Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren))
• Deferred Compensation (457b)
• Roth IRA
• 529 Educational Roth
• Minnesota Benefits Association (MBA)
• Savi Student Loan Benefit

01

The following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. Do you understand and agree with this statement?

• Yes
• No

02

Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher
• None of the above

03

If applicable, list the field of study in which you possess a degree. If you do not have a degree, type N/A.

04

Do you have three years of general clerical or administrative support experience or one year of direct administrative experience in a County Human Services Department?

• Yes
• No

05

Please describe your qualifications selected above. If you did not select any, type N/A.

06

Which of the following best describes how frequently you interact with customers in your current role or previous position?

• Hourly
• Multiple times a day
• Once a day
• Multiple times a week
• Once a week
• None of the above

07

Please describe what you do to ensure you provide quality customer service. If you do not have experience in this area, type N/A.

08

Which of the following best describes your years of full-time employment experience working in a medical, social services, or county office setting?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, less than 2
• 2 to 5 years of experience
• 6 to 9 years of experience
• 10 or more years of experience

09

Please indicate the current versions of software that you are PROFICIENT in using. Please select all that apply.

• Microsoft Office Word
• Microsoft Office Outlook
• Microsoft Office Excel
• Caseworks or other scanning software
• MAXIS
• PRISM
• MNSURE
• Any other governmental systems not mentioned
• None of the above

10

Which of the following best describes your computer experience and ability?

• No experience
• Limited - I am somewhat familiar with computers
• Moderate - I use a computer occasionally at home and/or at work
• Extensive - I use various computer programs as a significant portion of my job

11

Which of the following working environments do you have experience working in? Please select all that apply.

• City
• County
• State
• Federal
• N/A - I do not have experience in the areas listed.

12

Which of the following best describes how frequently you have handled multiple tasks simultaneously in your current role or previous position?

• Hourly
• Once a day
• Two times a week
• Once a week
• None of the above

13

Please list the languages other than English that you are able to understand and speak. Please select all that apply.

• Spanish
• Chinese
• Sudanese
• Arabic
• Somali
• Other
• None of the above - I do not speak or understand any languages other than English.

14

Why are you interested in this position with Blue Earth County?

15

Describe how your background and experience align with the duties and responsibilities of this position.

16

OTHER QUALIFICIATIONS: Describe any other special training you've completed or skills and experience you currently possess that you feel would make you the best-qualified person for this position.

17

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation which may include, but not limited to: verification of employment and education records, identification verification, driver's license record, and a criminal history?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Blue Earth County

Address PO Box 168

204 South Fifth Street

Mankato, Minnesota, 56002-0168

Phone 507-304-4289

507-304-4061

Website http://www.blueearthcountymn.gov