Join the City of Bellingham’s Community Development Division as a Contract Accounting Specialist! We’re on a mission to enhance the health and well-being of our community, and we need a detail-oriented team member to help us coordinate our contracting and accounting needs. In this role, you’ll engage with a variety of impactful projects, from affordable housing development and homelessness prevention to fostering a vibrant downtown and supporting local businesses. You’ll also play a key role in promoting events, public art, tourism, and much more! If you’re passionate about making a difference and ready to dive into meaningful, detailed work that shapes the future of Bellingham, we invite you to apply. Your dedication can help us create a thriving community for everyone!
This position performs various complex accounting functions within the Department. Responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the departments budgets and grant reimbursements including special purpose, proprietary and general funds. Performs statistical calculations, financial and cash flow analysis, and projections to support management decisions. Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports as required by granting agencies, the tourism commission, department management and the Finance Department. Coordinates the detail of the department budget process. Responsible for required recordkeeping and compliance for various large federal grants including Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds. Develops methods to analyze financial data and creates various reports as needed by department management.
This position will start at Step 1 ($30.38/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $30.38 - $37.34. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.
City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.
Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:
- Performs statistical calculations, cash flow and ending reserve projections, financial summaries, budget to actual comparisons and various HUD cap computations to support day to day management decision making within the Planning and Community Development Department.
- Creates and updates various financial reports for a variety of purposes including grant requirements, tourism commission, the finance department and management decision making.
- Works with accounting to determine proper accounting treatment of a variety of new program areas.
- Coordinates the detail of the departmental budget process by working with various managers and conducting research and analysis of income and expenditures.
- Maintains and monitors all grants and funds including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), and others.
- Processes accounts payable, including credit cards, for the Department utilizing appropriate job cost or UAC codes.
- Performs required HUD grant recordkeeping within the Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS).
- Processes grant reimbursement requests for the City's Human Services Program and the Tourism Grant Program.
- Reviews quarterly beneficiary reports from Human Service agencies assessing contract performance.
- Maintains loan balance and repayment records for major housing loans.
- May monitor federally-funded construction projects for compliance with federal labor standards.
- Initiates the monthly payroll entry for appropriate labor distribution for PCD in the general ledger.
- Maintains department records on computer replacement needs.
- Maintains records and adequate balance for petty cash account.
ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:
- Performs clerical duties such as typing, word processing and editing, filing, copying, drafting forms and data entry/retrieval.
- Provides information and assistance to Department staff.
- Performs other related duties of a similar nature and level.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed at a computer workstation in an open concept office environment. Work involves sitting and working in front of a computer terminal for extended periods of time. Working conditions include noise, frequent interruptions, and other distractions.
Physical ability to perform required duties of the position including:
- Frequently operate a computer and read a computer screen or typewritten page;
- Frequent keyboarding, gripping and clicking mouse;
- Frequently communicate verbally;
- Occasionally transport objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- AA degree or two years of college or vocational coursework in accounting or related required. Two years of relevant bookkeeping and/or accounting support experience may substitute for an AA degree.
- Three years of progressively responsible bookkeeping and/or accounting support experience utilizing computerized accounting systems and spreadsheets required.
- One year experience with record-keeping and compliance monitoring for grant-funded contracts preferred.
- Accounting support experience in a municipal or public sector environment preferred.
- Advanced utilization of computer software applications, including spreadsheets, databases, and word processors preferred.
- Experience utilizing Budget Accounting and Reporting System (BARS) strongly preferred.
- Typing at 45 wpm NET and ten-key proficiency.
Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check.
Application Review Process:
- Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position.
- Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating.
- The top six (6) scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview.
If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form and upload it to your application with your DD214.
Equal Opportunity: Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force.
Fair Hiring Practices:
- The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
- The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
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