Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Accounting Specialist II

Department of Child Support Services

Recruitment #RT-1316-08

Introduction

This is a reinstatement, transfer or voluntary demotion opportunity for current and former regularly appointed employees of Alameda County.

Reinstatement:
Pursuant to Civil Service Rule 1744: On the request of a department head and approval of the Commission, a regularly appointed employee who resigned in good standing may, within three years after the effective date of his/her resignation, be reinstated in a position in the class from which he/she resigned or in a position in another class for which he/she may be eligible as determined by the Commission. Appointments by reinstatement following resignation are subject to the probationary period established for the class. You must have been a classified County employee in the same job code or in a job code at the same salary maximum and left the County in good standing. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Transfer:
You must be a current County classified employee in the same job code or in a job code with the same salary maximum for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Voluntary Demotion:
You must be a current County classified employee in a job code which is at a higher salary maximum than the vacancy for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

DESCRIPTION


THE AGENCY

Alameda County Department of Child Support Services (ACCSS) believes that all parents should be fully engaged in supporting the wellbeing of their children. To meet our Vision, ACCSS is committed to serving the children and families of Alameda County in ways that are innovative, responsive, efficient, compassionate and in tune with the rich diversity of our community.

Our customers are mothers, fathers, caregivers, children, community partners and the residents of Alameda County. ACCSS’s core business is to provide assistance to families through establishment of parentage, the establishment of child support orders for monetary and medical support, and through the enforcement of child support orders. To carry out this Mission, our employees are dedicated and talented people who leverage their skills and passion for public service to meet customer needs. Through coordinated efforts and collaboration with community partners, ACCSS collects and distributes important child support, enhancing self-efficiency and the well-being of families throughout Alameda County.


THE POSITION

Under general supervision, to provide accounting and financial support of County departments and agencies; to reconcile, maintain, monitor and control major groupings of funds, budget units, or revenue and expenditure accounts; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is bridge class between the clerical accounting series including Accounting Specialist I and Accounting Technician and the professional-level of Accountant. This class is distinguished from the lower level Accounting Specialist I in that the former works with and is expected to show proficiency in multiple accounting systems and performs work involving county-wide financial processes and/or processes that have significant financial impact on the County. Employees are assigned the most complex, difficult, and/or specialized accounting, financial and/or budgetary work requiring analysis and evaluation of financial records to ensure accuracy and the interpretation of financial guidelines to ensure that fiscal operations are in compliance.

This class is distinguished from Accountant series by latter’s knowledge of and skill in applying generally accepted accounting principles and practices and requirement for preparing analytical, narrative, statistical, and accounting reports. The professional level classes normally involve independent decision-making, development or oversight of a program or function, the more limited availability or nature of supervision received and a greater scope and complexity of activities, regulations and guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of one year of experience as an Accounting Specialist I in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

OR II
Education:

Equivalent to completion of two years of college (90 quarter units or 60 semester units) from an accredited college or university in a bookkeeping or accounting curriculum. (Additional experience as outlined below may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.)
AND

Experience:

Equivalent to two years of full-time bookkeeping experience at a level equivalent to the Accounting Specialist I classification and which has included some combination of document review and processing, administrative or financial recordkeeping and/or office management.

License:

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:

• Practices and techniques of automated accounting and financial record keeping and report preparation.
• Accounting principles and bookkeeping practices
• Principles and practices of auditing and reconciling a variety of financial and accounting documents and records
• Computer applications related to the work, including spreadsheet and data base applications
• Procedures, terminology and forms related to the functional area to which assigned.
• Techniques used to reconcile subsidiary accounts, to control accounts, and to maintain books through trial balance
• Basic budgeting and cost accounting practices and procedures.
• Microsoft Excel and Access Database.

Ability to:

• Audit and reconcile financial, accounting and budgetary documents and records; maintain journals and reports.
• Read, interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies and procedures involved in fiscal recordkeeping and accounting functions
• Compile fiscal and financial data.
• Learn accounting structure, financial guidelines, systems, and procedures of the department, fiscal program or agency.
• Learn basic budgeting and funding regulations, practices, and procedures.
• Interpret, explain and apply regulations and procedures in varying situations.
• Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

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) 
  • 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
  • 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
  • 1st 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.

 

Conclusion

THE VACANCIES: 

We are currently seeking two Accounting Specialists to join our team of Child Support Professionals within our Finance and Payroll Unit; each will play a dynamic role in supporting the business functions of our organization. The Finance and Payroll Unit is a small, customer focused team that handles all back-office functions related to budget, accounts payable, bi-weekly payroll processing and reporting, vouchering, purchasing related tasks, assisting with data gathering for audits, may assist with travel-related bookings and expense report processing, and duties associated with a variety of other accounting related activities. The ability to work collaboratively, remain flexible to adjust priorities, exercise initiative and sound judgement, and be a team player is vital to success in this role.


Located in the Hacienda Business Park in Pleasanton, CA., ACCSS offers an enjoyable office environment, business park amenities, convenient location and commute, FREE employee parking, free Hacienda Shuttle from the Dublin BART to nearby stop, nearby parks and walking trails, roomy employee lunch and break rooms with free public wi-fi, and opportunities for professional growth and development through inhouse trainings, and free access to LinkedIn Learning Library.


TO APPLY: 

Please submit a PDF of your updated Alameda County application to Carol Brookens, Departmental HR Manager at
Carol.Brookens@acgov.org. Please be in contact if you have any questions.

You are encouraged to apply immediately as this posting is open until filled and may close at anytime.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer