Account Specialist III

About the Department

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions in a variety of departments, service areas, and locations throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium.

The current vacancy is in Ukiah with Social Services - Adult & Aging Services.

Under direction, performs complex accounting and clerical functions, and record-keeping duties; reviews, processes, and maintains detailed financial reports; processes invoices for payment; and works on special accounting projects. 

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Position Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs complex department-specific accounting and bookkeeping tasks, ensuring compliance with County policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Reviews and validates accounts payable and receivable transactions for accuracy, examining complex invoices and reconcile accounts.
• Maintains and oversees comprehensive financial record-keeping systems, including complex journal entries and reconcile accounts.
• Analyzes and audits financial documents for compliance; identifying operational inefficiencies and recommending process improvements.
• Researches and resolves complex accounting discrepancies, maintaining the integrity of financial records.
• Analyzes data and prepares comprehensive reports for local, state, and federal requirements.
• May assist in departmental budget-related activities, including data entry, reconciliation, and the preparation of budget reports.
• Creates and reviews professional correspondence and technical reports.
• Develops and maintains comprehensive filing and tracking systems.
• Oversees departmental payroll processing, including reviewing exception time, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Develops and revises presentation materials for management use.
• Coordinates and facilitates committee meetings, which may include agenda preparation and follow-up.
• Provides training and guidance to other staff members.
• Provides work direction, conducts training, reviews work products, and may contribute to performance evaluations under supervisory oversight.
• Serves as backup for other positions within the department.
• May oversee daily banking activities and cash-handling procedures.
• May provide operational guidance and support for department operations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

Graduation from high school or GED AND three years of experience performing accounting support duties (bookkeeping, accounts payable/receivable processing, financial report preparation, and invoice tracking and auditing); 

OR

One year of full-time experience as an Account Specialist II with Mendocino County; 

OR

An equivalent combination of related education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Driver's License is preferred but not required. Some positions in this classification may require possession of a valid California driver’s license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Policies and procedures, codes, ordinances, and departmental operating standards.
• Basic government accounting and budgetary principles, including accounts payable/receivable, auditing, and payroll procedures.
• Records management principles, including report preparation and filing systems.
• Professional business communication, including proper English usage, grammar, and correspondence standards.
• Customer service principles and practices.
• Applicable federal, state, and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Business mathematics, including calculations with percentages and decimals.

Skill in:

• Exercising sound judgment and discretion while working independently within established guidelines.
• Evaluating administrative processes and implementing effective solutions.
• Planning, coordinating, and reviewing work assignments of other staff.
• Operating standard office equipment and computer applications for accounting and financial systems.
• Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data.
• Performing data entry and retrieval with speed and accuracy.
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, with staff, clients, and other departments.

• Read and comprehend instructions, routine correspondence and memos.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and speak and hear.
• Lift and carry, push and/or pull, or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Other Qualifications

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply. 
• You must complete all sections of the application.  A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application.  Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application. 
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character. 
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards.  Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an application appraisal exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list. 

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.  In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600.  Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.   

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer