Financial Services Specialist II

READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REAPPLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT.  

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN EXISTING EXAMINATION.  If you have previously applied or started an application for the Financial Services Specialist II, Examination #19-0214-01, read this entire bulletin. There are specific instructions on how to reapply for this position.  

PLEASE CONTACT THE EXAMINATION ANALYST, ANGELICA CUEVAS AT ANGELICA.CUEVAS@ACGOV.ORG TO HAVE YOUR PREVIOUS APPLICATION RELEASED BACK TO YOU.    

The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants.  If you have previously submitted an application and choose to reapply, you new score/disposition will replace your current disposition.

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Online applications only.

THE AGENCY

We are currently recruiting for vacancies in the Social Services Agency, Health Care Services Agency, and the Probation Department. However, the eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be used by any County department or agency needing to fill a vacancy.

THE POSITION

Under direction, to provide professional-level financial services in areas of budget development and processing, contract negotiation and administration, financial planning and monitoring, financial accounting and reporting, and grants management to County departments and agencies; to conduct a variety of studies and inquiries and perform financial analytic and administrative work; and to do related work as required.

For a detailed listing of the position of Financial Services Specialist II duties, please see the complete job description at the following link: Financial Services Specialist II Job Specification.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a track record of success in the following areas:

• Principles and practices of governmental budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract and grant administration.
• Financial recordkeeping 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.
• Developing and administering multiple budgets.
• Monitoring fiscal transactions and audit fiscal records and documentation.
• Planning and conducting administrative and operational studies.
• Interpret, explain and apply applicable federal, state and local policies and regulations.
• Preparing clear and accurate reports, correspondence, procedures and other written materials.
• Organizing and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Maintaining accurate financial records and audit data.   
• Communicating clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.

Either I:

The equivalent of one year full-time experience in the class of Financial Services Specialist I in the Alameda County classified service.

Or II:


Education:

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, accounting, economics, financial planning or a field related to the work. (Additional professional financial planning and support experience equivalent to the County’s classification of Financial Services Specialist I may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.)

AND

Experience:

Equivalent to one year of full-time professional-level experience in areas of budget development and processing, contract negotiation and administration, financial planning and monitoring, financial accounting and reporting, grant management or similar financial services equivalent to that performed by the Alameda County classified service of Financial Services Specialist I.

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.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• 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.
• Applicable federal, state and local policies and regulations.
• Computer applications related to the work, such as word processing, databases and spreadsheets. Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Outlook.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.

Ability to:

• Develop and administer multiple budgets.
• Monitor fiscal transactions and audit fiscal records and documentation.
• Plan and conduct administrative and operational studies.
• Interpret, explain and apply financial regulations, policies and procedures.
• Direct the work of others on a project or day-to-day basis.
• 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.
• Maintain accurate financial records and audit data.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Clearly and effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing; write contract documents, electronic mail, and Board letters to the Board of Supervisors at a professional skill level.
• Communicate fluently using the English language to present and request information to/from internal and external customers effectively by phone or in person.

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.

2) A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process.

3) An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness, and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

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

• 11 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• 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.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received, or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Angelica Cuevas | HR Analyst
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
510-271-5154 or email Angelica.Cuevas@acgov.org
www.acgov.org/hrs

Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.