County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to provide consultative, complex professional financial services to various departments and agencies; to assist with financial strategic planning and analysis and the enhancement of revenues; to supervise the work of a small support staff; to conduct a variety of financial, administrative and operational studies and inquiries; and to do related work as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This a high-level technical specialist class which requires an advanced degree of specialized programmatic knowledge in addition to a sound financial services base of knowledge and experience. Responsibilities may include overseeing the functions of a small support staff. Although the work is diverse, all positions are typically characterized by all of the following elements:

• Serving as the primary technical liaison for a department or agency with the State or other funding sources;
• Providing technical coordination for internal staff;
• Having significant technical input into revenue and financial strategic planning processes; and
• Acting as a departmental technical expert for management in areas related to financial services, contracting and grants management.

This class is distinguished from Supervising Financial Services Specialist, which provides supervision for financial, administrative and/or operational support staff through subordinate supervisory staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the 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. Serves in a consultative role to departmental management on financial and revenue issues and strategies; provides significant technical input into policy, operational and service delivery decisions.

2. Represents the department with State and other funding sources; gathers information, clarifies and resolves issues and acts as the ongoing liaison.

3. Plans and conducts complex financial analyses and studies, including rate analyses; evaluates alternatives, prepares reports and makes recommendations for action.

4. Coordinates financial auditing processes, whether conducted by County or funding source staff; provides information, evaluates results and recommends required policy or procedural changes.

5. Monitors legislation or changes in regulations regarding departmental funding sources and financial activities; recommends modifications to activities and procedures as necessary.

6. Makes revenue and expenditure projections for multiple budgets with diverse funding sources; compiles figures, prepares justifications and may coordinate the overall budget development process.

7. Plans, directs, reviews and evaluates the work of a small staff; trains staff in work procedures; recommends and implements selection and disciplinary actions.

8. Prepares or directs the preparation of grant requests and implementation documents after award; maintains records and submits reports to the funding agencies or organizations.

9. Administers or coordinates the administration of service provision, construction, personal service or consultant contracts; prepares contract documents; reviews requests for payment and ensures that contract provisions are met and that appropriate approvals are received.

10. Acts as liaison for the department or agency with other County departments, program participants and the public; serves on a variety of committees and task forces.

11. Interprets and applies a variety of complex policies, rules and regulations; provides information which requires tact and judgment to employees and others.

12. Prepares a variety of correspondence, periodic and special reports, procedures and other written materials; may access varied data bases or use information from various sources to prepare such materials; uses computer software to maintain databases and spreadsheets.

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I
Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience at a level of or higher than the class Financial Specialist II in the Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts).

Completion of the Alameda County Management Academy “Management & Supervision Certificate Program” may substitute for six (6) months of the required qualifying experience.


OR II
Education:

The equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year 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, AND

(Additional professional or paraprofessional financial planning and support experience may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.)

Experience:

The equivalent to two years of full-time, professional-level experience in financial planning and analysis, budget development and processing, contract negotiation and administration and/or grants management at a level equivalent to the Alameda County classified service class of Financial Services Specialist II.

License: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’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:

• Financial planning, rate setting and revenue enhancement principles and strategies.
• Principles and practices of governmental budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract and grant administration.
• Financial record-keeping and auditing practices.
• Practices and techniques of administrative analysis and report preparation.
• Computer applications related to the work, such as word processing, databases and spreadsheets.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Basic supervisory principles and practices.

Ability to:

• Plan and conduct complex financial, revenue and strategic planning analyses.
• Provide sound technical advice on financial matters to departmental management.
• Conduct and coordinate financial audits.
• Monitor legislative and regulation changes and recommend operational and procedural changes as required.
• Develop, coordinate and administer complex multiple budgets with multiple funding sources.
• Monitor fiscal transactions and audit fiscal records and documentation.
• Plan, direct and review the work of others and train others in work procedures.
• Interpret, explain and apply complex policies, regulations and procedures.
• Prepare clear and accurate reports, correspondence, procedures 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.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

AM:jc/Admin. Study
12/93
Rev. 3/94
Y:\1229H.WPF
Co:updated 5/17/00
Old doc. 1229h.wpf under /Oldspec
New doc.: 0215.doc under /Newspec
CSC Date: 4/6/94
CH:po revised 2/24/09
CSC Date 3/25/2009
RY:cs Revised 11/6/15
CSC Date: 6/8/16

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.