Job Description

Posting number: MSS06219

Department: Monterey County Department of Social Services

Job classification: Finance Manager III (Monterey Only)

Posting type: Open

Categories: Accounting and Finance

Summary

Under direction of the Department Head, plans, organizes, directs and implements all aspects of a department's financial activities including the preparation of complex budgets, accounting functions, fiscal management, financial reporting and internal auditing functions; assures the fiscal year-end closures of budgets; provides coordination and follow-up to outside audits; develops, coordinates and maintains fiscal, cost accounting, contract administration, billing and grant accounting systems and procedures to assure the quality and technical accuracy of all fiscal activities; is responsible for the departmental management information system; and performs other related work as required.

This class is assigned to departments having large budgets with complex funding, including grants, pass-through revenues, and billable fee-for-service revenues. Incumbents are responsible and accountable to the Department Head for the quality and technical accuracy of the department fiscal programs, including financial planning, budgeting, cost management, maximizing revenues, fiscal compliance, reporting and auditing.

Incumbents are responsible for the departmental management information system, ensuring that appropriate software is identified and available for all fiscal and management operations.

This classification is distinguished from the next lower classification of Finance Manager II in that the latter has responsibility for the fiscal management of a medium-size department or a division in the Auditor-Controller's office.

Examples of duties

• Plans, develops, coordinates, implements and evaluates fiscal management policies, goals, objectives, procedures and standards.
• Exercises overall responsibility for budget preparation, monitoring and control to ensure that programs are conducted within allocated funds; develops timely management reports which insure that departmental managers are aware of budgets, expenditures and revenues and program fiscal performance; prepares periodic financial reports.
• Develops, implements, monitors and continually evaluates, departmental fiscal systems, financial controls and accounting operations including cost accounting, budgeting, program billings, contractor payments, financial reporting and internal auditing to insure proper controls, compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, local, state and federal policies, guidelines and requirements; assures the timely and accurate fiscal year end closure of department budgets and accounting activities.
• Analyzes, develops and implements systems to assure maximum reimbursement for services; ensures department divisions are efficiently maximizing revenues; recommends cost shift or accounting strategies to maximize reimbursement.
• Provides advice, assistance, and training to management, professional, technical and clerical staff on all financial and budgetary matters.
• Researches legislation to ensure department's fiscal compliance with laws, rules and regulations; analyzes and reports on potential fiscal impact of legislative proposals and recommends policy position for use in legislative lobbying.
• Assures that the Department's fiscal program adheres to standards to meet State and Federal Audit requirements; prepares complex responses to disputed State and federal audit requirements and prepares materials for appeals as appropriate; provides coordination and follow-up to external auditors engaged by the County to perform fiscal and compliance audits.
• Identifies computerized accounting, budgeting, billing, program management and other management information systems requirements and works with management team to design and implement the requirements.
• Designs and participates in quantitative analysis of systems and programs, analyzes data and projected trends and prepares complex technical and financial reports, rate studies and major project plans.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with department management and staff, other county departments, outside agencies, vendors and external auditors.
• Selects, trains, assigns, and evaluates the work performance of subordinate staff.

Qualifications

A combination of experience, education, and/or training which substantially demonstrates the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of public finance administration, particularly in the areas of accounting operations, budgeting preparation and management; fiscal control auditing, cost accounting, financial reporting, forecasting, financial analysis, internal financial and operations auditing.
• Principles and methods of supervision and management including analysis, and organization; selection and evaluation of employees, and their training and development.
• Principles and practices of reimbursement, grant management, monitoring and control.
• Integration of data processing applications to meet financial reporting, including accounting, budgeting, billing monitoring and reporting.
• Accounting and auditing principles and practices used in public finance, including third-party reimbursement principles, policies and procedures.

Working knowledge of:

• State and federal law affecting fiscal operations, reporting and resource management including regulations specific to public finance.
• Principles and practices of internal auditing and operations auditing
• Computerized data processing as it relates to accounting operations and management information systems.
• Quantitative analysis and statistical reporting
• Operating principles and capabilities of personal computers and mainframe computer systems
• Word, Excel, Access and other common PC office applications

Skill and Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the fiscal and accounting operations of a large Department with a complex budget.
• Properly interpret and make complex financial decisions in accordance with appropriate laws, regulations and policies.
• Develop, implement and administer programs that maximize revenue and reimbursement from all sources and administer automated data gathering, processing and reporting systems.
• Analyze complex financial problems and develop effective policies, procedures and fiscal controls.
• Prepare, review and interpret complex financial reports, summaries and data.
• Read, interpret and apply complex laws, rules and regulations.
• Develop and achieve department and program goals.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Plan, organize, direct and evaluate the work of others.
• Present financial and technical information before a group.
• Use a PC, telephone and calculators.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and provide excellent and courteous customer service.

Qualifications

The knowledge and abilities listed above may be acquired through various types of experience, education or training. Typical ways to acquire the required knowledge and abilities are listed below:

Education:

Equivalent to completion of a Bachelor's degree in Public or Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Finance or a related field with course work in accounting, finance and business administration

Experience:

Five years of increasingly responsible experience performing a wide variety of duties related to fiscal resource management, including at least two years of significant administrative experience in public finance and accounting.

Supplemental information

• The ability to speak, read and write Spanish in addition to English would be an asset in this position is optional.
• Employees who drive on County business to carry out job related duties must possess a valid CA Driver License for the class vehicle driven.
• The Department of Social Services will conduct a thorough background and reference check process which includes a Department of Justice fingerprint check.
• Employees must have and show their original Social Security Card and a valid CA Driver License or CA State ID on the first day of work.
• Government agencies accessing US government information, which include federal tax information must ensure that background investigation requirements for all agency employees and contractors that have access to federal tax information are consistent to the IRS background investigation requirements for access to federal tax information. A background check may be required if the position requires access to these types of records. Background requirements consist of three components which include, fingerprinting, citizenship verification, and local law enforcement checks. Applicable agencies must conduct an investigation during the time of hire and ensure a reinvestigation is conducted 5 years from the date of the previous background investigation for each employee that has access to federal tax information.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION – WEIGHTED 100%

The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate’s knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.

Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin.

ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATION

A departmental promotional eligible list will be established for the county of Monterey. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period. The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used Department-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

RETEST PERIOD

Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.

SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTS

Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916-909-3701 upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

GENERAL INFORMATION

MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.

If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY

Located on California's picturesque Pacific Coast, the County of Monterey is blessed with mild weather year-round and is home to miles of beautiful beaches, spectacular mountain ranges, groves of redwoods, low-rolling foothills, and a bountiful valley. With a population exceeding 400,000, the County is proud of its vibrant citizenry, great traditions, educational opportunities, and multicultural lifestyles. Boasting such world-renowned attractions as the spectacular Big Sur Coast, 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Steinbeck Center, the Monterey Jazz and Blues Festivals, and Pebble Beach - possibly the world's most famous golf course, it's easy to see why an estimated 4.3 million visitors a year make Monterey County their destination of choice. In addition to a thriving tourist trade, Monterey County's economy is largely based on a vigorous agricultural industry. Known as the 'salad bowl of the nation' the Salinas Valley provides fresh vegetables and salad greens to the entire country. California's 16th largest county also provides many educational opportunities for its residents including California State University at Monterey Bay, the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, the Defense Language Institute (DLI), Presidio of Monterey, and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). All these factors combine to make Monterey County a healthy, economically diverse region eager to foster and sustain an enriching lifestyle for its residents.

ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Monterey County Department of Social Services is seeking enthusiastic applicants, who genuinely care about the community and its members, to join its team. Monterey County Department of Social Services administers over seventy programs that daily serve an estimated 200, 000 residents of Monterey County. Department programs include Community Benefits (Public Assistance Eligibility), Family and Children’s Services (Child Welfare Services), Aging and Adult Services (Adult Protective Services, IHSS, and Area Agency on Aging), CalWORKs Employment Services, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Community Action Partnership. Careers with the Department of Social Services offer the opportunity to promote the social and economic self-reliance of individuals and families served by providing essential resources and services to low-income families, veterans, vulnerable children and adults, and disabled individuals. Monterey County Department of Social Services welcomes, values, and encourages diverse voices, opinions, perspectives, and backgrounds to foster an environment where all viewpoints are appreciated. The Department currently has a team of approximately 820 dedicated members serving Monterey County residents.

Monterey County is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employee Benefit Summary Sheet "X"

UNITS X & ZX (Management & Confidential Management - Safety and Non-safety)

Class Specifications

Job Descriptions | County of Monterey