Position Information
Bring your Accounting career to the County of Sonoma where there is room to grow!
Starting salary up to $42.70/hour ($89,120/year) and a competitive total compensation package!
The Department of Health Services is currently recruiting to fill an Accountant position at either the I or II level. If you are interested in being considered at the II level of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate, concurrent recruitment currently being conducted at that level.
About The Position
As an Accountant I, you will play a vital role in managing accounting duties for specific DHS Sections. You will handle a range of accounting tasks as outlined below:
- Helping prepare the annual county budget and financial reports for assigned sections
- Ensuring compliance with Local, State, and Federal regulations within designated time frames
- Invoicing grants and monitoring grant budgets
- Assisting with grant reporting and providing fiscal information for grant applications and working with program staff to ensure expenditures meet grant requirements
- Administering and monitoring contracts with community-based organizations
- Approving program purchases and maintaining reference materials on budgets, contracts, and accounting policies
- Compiling documentation for state and other audits and maintaining accurate and detailed financial records
- Reviewing and providing fiscal information for board items
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working with numbers, analytical tasks, and ensuring compliance with stringent deadlines. If you are diligent, detail-oriented, and eager to contribute to a dynamic team, we encourage you to apply. As the ideal candidate, you will possess many of the following:
- A high level of diligence to ensure compliance with regulations and deadlines
- The ability to manage multiple deadlines and adapt to updates as needed
- The ability to work well under pressure and effectively prioritize tasks
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 suite, with intermediate skills preferred
- Knowledge of grant reporting and governmental accounting is highly desirable
- The ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a team
The Department of Health Services (DHS)
DHS is one of the County's largest and most complex departments. DHS consists of the Administration, Behavioral Health, Public Health, and Homelessness Services Divisions and is driven by its mission to promote, protect, and ensure access to services that support the health, recovery, and well-being of all in Sonoma County. These ideas are the basis for how DHS operates and delivers services:
- Excellence - Strive to create a culture of learning, innovation, and data-driven practices to guide internal operations, improve performance, and build staff expertise
- Collaboration - Engage and work collaboratively with partners, communities, and staff to maximize its impact across the County
- Equity - Work to reduce disparities and ensure fairness, compassion, and social justice
For more information regarding the department, its programs, services, and partnerships, visit the DHS website.
What We Offer
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits including:
- Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
- Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Career Advancement - With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Accountant II
- Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $650 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
- Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
- Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.
This Accountant I employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Experience: Any combination of education and experience which would provide opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, either possession of a college degree in accounting, finance or business administration with at least 12 semesters or 16 quarter units of accounting, including Principles of Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Advanced Accounting, Governmental Accounting, Cost Accounting or Auditing; OR possession of a Certified Public Accountant Certificate; OR five years of Account Clerk experience including two years as an Accounting Technician or higher with Sonoma County and at least 9 semesters or 12 quarter units of college level accounting credit, would provide such opportunity.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Knowledge of: accounting theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of accounting transactions; modern office management procedures, practices, and equipment, particularly as they apply to accounting operations; data processing applications to accounting procedures.
Ability to: analyze and evaluate accounting data; learn the principles and procedures of governmental accounting; prepare financial reports; make mathematical calculations rapidly and accurately; properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers and staff of other County departments; supervise and review the work of a clerical accounting staff; communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; prepare clear and concise fiscal reports; adjust to workload changes and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
Responses to supplemental questions will or may be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.
The Selection Procedure Will Consist Of The Following Examination
An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.
Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.
Additional Information
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
How To Apply
Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: SZ
HR Technician: RR
IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL
These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
- Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
- Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
- Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired.
- IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
- Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
- Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution. For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 9/3/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
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