County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to provide a wide-variety of highly complex professional financial services to the Social Services Agency organizational unit to which assigned, including budget analysis, development and monitoring, financial forecasting, legislative monitoring and report preparation; to recommend and assist with the implementation of program, policy and procedure modifications; to assist with general administrative support; and to do related work as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Positions in this class are found in the Finance Division of the Social Services Agency requiring advanced knowledge of financial and accounting principles and a thorough understanding of State Social Services claiming processes and guidelines. It is distinguished from the countywide class of Financial Services Specialist in that the former class requires specialized Social Services program knowledge in addition to budget planning and policy development.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Participates in the preparation of the Social Services Agency County budget; prepares and defends funding requests to the state of California and makes recommendations to the executive management team; analyzes trends in budget requests.

2. Monitors expenditures, staffing and operations; reconciles expenditures and revenues to budget; advises operating departments of problems and recommends corrective action.

3. Prepares quarterly expenditure forecasts, caseload projections and revenue simulations for the County Administrator.

4. Analyzes State regulations and correspondence regarding claiming procedures; monitors, recommends changes or additions and reviews claim submissions to State; informs operational and program personnel regarding time study information and use of claiming codes.
5. Performs caseload trend analysis using appropriate statistical and forecasting techniques for costs projections.

6. Analyzes mid-year budget requests and recommendations, preparing all financial recommendation documents and budget tracking forms for submission to the Board of Supervisors.

7. Reviews, analyzes and trouble shoots for internal accounting and budget reconciliation; advises program managers on alignment of expenditures with revenue sources to maximize revenues.

8. Analyzes and interprets State legislation, instructions, fiscal regulations fiscal and other correspondence relating to the operation of Social Services programs; monitors legislation, administrative and regulatory changes regarding funding sources and financial and operational activities.

9. Serves in a consultative role to SSA management on financial and revenue issues and provides significant input into policy, operational and service delivery decisions; implements and facilitates policy and program changes as required.

10. May direct and review the work of others on a project or day-to-day basis.

11. Prepares a variety of narrative and statistical reports, correspondence, written procedures and other materials; provides technical support to Agency personnel in preparing state reports and documents required to request changes to budget.

12. Operates a variety of standard office equipment including a word processor and/or computer; may drive a County or personal vehicle to attend meetings.

13. Makes presentations to senior managers, Board members and the community.

14. Participates in statewide fiscal policy workgroups that convene to provide recommendations to the state regarding distribution of funding for statewide social service programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I
Experience:

Three years of full time experience equivalent to or higher than the class of Financial Services Specialist II in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office and the Hospital Authority.)

OR II
Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited college or university (180 quarter units or 120 semester units) with major coursework in business or public administration, economics, financial planning or a field related to the work. (Masters degree desirable.)

AND
Experience:

The equivalent of three years of full-time professional level experience in independently providing complex financial planning or analysis and/or budget development and processing at a level equivalent to or higher than the County class of Financial Services Specialist II.

Licenses:

Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of operational, policy and programmatic research and quantitative analysis.
• Principles and practices of governmental budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of cost benefit analysis and controls.
• Practices and techniques of statistical analysis and report preparation.
• Accounting principles.
• Computer applications and hardware and software related to the work.
• Budgetary and financial cost/expense tracking.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Social Service program deliveries.
• Federal, State and local regulations and guidelines related to the assigned duties.

Ability to:

• Plan, design and conduct sophisticated operational, management and related studies and analyses.
• Research, compile and summarize varied information, evaluate alternatives and reach sound conclusions.
• Interpret, explain and apply complex policies, regulations and procedures.
• Prepare clear and accurate reports, correspondence, procedures, policies and other written materials.
• Represent the department and the County in meetings with others.
• Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Direct and review the work of others on a project basis.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

AM:pf 1/26/2005
Newspec: 0209.doc
CSC Date: 2/16/2005

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.