Account Clerk - Central Services - Livingston County

Livingston County was named a 2024 Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press! Based solely on employee feedback, the Top Workplace title is a badge of honor for the County. With over 700 employees serving within 18 departments, 5 elected offices, and 5 Courts, Livingston County's top priority is providing effective and efficient services that improve the quality of life for all of our residents.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Chief Account Clerk, performs general accounting duties in the cash office of the Livingston County Courts. Duties include, but are not limited to: accurately receipting and processing payments to cases, recording daily totals and closing the cash drawer daily, providing assistance to the public regarding fines and costs, balancing bond money receipts and applying bond money to proper cases, running daily reports, processing payments though petty cash and balancing same, processing restitution payments to victims and participating in collections for unpaid cases

Pay Rate Information:

The Account Clerk role is a Union position and starting pay is $44,902.21/year. This position is eligible for step pay increases within ourCourt Union Grade 4 Wage Scale. Top end of the current wage scale for this position is $53,657.34/year.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation plan
• MERS Retirement plan & 401a with an employer match
• Comprehensive Medical, Pharmacy, Dental & Vision
• Optional Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan
• Basic Life & AD&D insurance
• Health & Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid vacation, sick days & holidays.
• Tuition Reimbursement
• $500 annual Wellness reimbursement & $100 incentive for completing your annual physical & Health Assessment.
• Paid training
• Voluntary benefits such as Accident, Critical Illness, & Hospital policies
• Employee Assistance Program

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

1. Processes criminal, traffic and civil payments at the counter, by phone, by mail and on-line ensuring that the proper name and case file is credited, and enters information into the computer.
2. Maintains cash drawer and closes out daily. Records daily totals of fines, costs, bonds and other fees to proper accounts. Prints cash reports daily. Scans and uploads checks daily to the proper bank accounts making sure they scan properly and balance.
3. Provides assistance to the public regarding fines and costs, payment plans, court procedures, Secretary of State/license issues, and other related matters. Directs others to appropriate person or office.
4. Applies bonds on criminal and traffic cases as directed by the courtroom. Disperses bonds on civil cases per judge's order.
5. Pulls and processes tickets with suspended notices and converts bonds on civil infraction suspensions.
6. Prepares and sends bond forfeiture notices on misdemeanor offenses. Calendars bonds and forfeits after 28 days.
7. Processes and prints bond checks for cases bound over to Circuit Court.
8. Follows up on payments submitted with incomplete identification to determine the proper account to credit payments.
9. Enforces proper collection efforts, to include issuing warrants, scheduling and conducting show cause hearings, submitting wage assignments and prisoner remits, and annual tax garnishments and intercept orders.
10. Processes restitution payments and assists in escheating unclaimed restitution.
11. Assists the Chief Account Clerk with month-end reporting and statements.
12. Performs the duties of a Deputy District Court Clerk as required.
13. Responsible for LIEN entry and recall for tickets, warrants etc.
14. Performs other duties as directed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent supplemented by additional college or vocational training in bookkeeping and accounting and three years of progressively more responsible experience in bookkeeping.
• The county, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of formal education and work experience.
• Ability to learn the principles and practices of the State of Michigan Court system.
• Considerable knowledge of bookkeeping principles and practices, general ledger government accounting, cash handling, receipting documents and payments, and providing customer service support.
• Skill in assembling data and preparing comprehensive and accurate reports.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain professional integrity and respect for those requiring court services including the ability to effectively meet and deal with the public.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with county employees, contractors to the county, representatives of other governmental units, professional contacts, elected officials, court officials and the public.
• Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications, database use and the ability to learn new software programs applicable to the position.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, view and produce written and electronic documents, and enter data on a computer keyboard with repetitive keystrokes. The employee must be mobile in an office setting, stand, sit, stoop and kneel, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must lift or push/pull objects of up to 15 lbs. without assistance. Accommodation will be made, as needed, for office employees required to lift or move objects that exceed this weight.

The typical work environment of this job is a business office setting where the noise level is quiet and sometimes moderate.