Job Opening: Financial Specialist

(this posting can be seen in PDF format here)

Open until filled

Salary Range

$5,677 – $7,630 monthly

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) seeks applicants for the position of Financial Specialist in Olympia, Washington. Ideal candidates will bring strong financial services skills including payroll, purchasing, vendor relations, and grant management.

The full job description may be found here.

About ORCAA

The mission of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency is to protect the health and welfare of the people and the natural environment in the agency’s six counties in western Washington. ORCAA is one of seven local air quality agencies in Washington charged with enforcing local, state, and federal clean air rules and law. Employees of ORCAA enjoy a comprehensive benefits package (found here) while working in one of the most scenic locations in the country. Olympic National Park sits in the middle of ORCAA’s jurisdiction, and the region is bounded by the Columbia River, Pacific Ocean, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound.

Application Process

Complete the online job application at the link below and upload a cover letter and current résumé, as well as any other support documents you’d like to share. Your cover letter should detail your experience and qualifications with reference to the specific duties and qualifications of this position. Your résumé should outline your experience and education as it relates to this position. Note that a cover letter and résumé are required to be considered for this position.

The official application form is located at
https://www.orcaa.org/about/job-openings/employment-application/

Application Timeline

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The next application screening is December 18, 2023. The agency reserves the right to select a candidate at any time after the initial screening date. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Lynn Harding at (360) 539-7610, ext. 103 or lynn.harding@orcaa.org.

Summary of the Job

The Financial Specialist is responsible for providing several essential functions within ORCAA’s Finance Department, including a variety of administrative and technical accounting duties, such as accounts payable, payroll, purchasing, contracting, and grant management. The position works closely with the Financial Services Manager in ensuring effective financial management across the agency and providing redundancy for critical agency functions. Ensures agency fiscal operations are effective, timely, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities/Duties

Coordinate and perform contract/project administration and documentation duties for Public Works projects from preparing bid documents and proposals through to project completion. Assist in non-project contracting/purchases using Small Works, Vendor, and Professional Service rosters. Makes purchases in accordance with established policies, procedures, and regulations. Reviews and processes Agency expenditures and documentation, ensuring compliance with purchasing policies and audit requirements.
Provide various general accounting services by ensuring the efficient, accurate, and timely recording of financial transactions relating to agency activities, programs, and special projects. Verifies accuracy of invoices prior to entering into accounting system (SAGE), maintain accounts payables vendor files, match purchase orders to bids/projects for approval, review and reconcile statements to verify payments are complete and assigned to correct accounts, prepare voucher approvals for signature. Assist in maintaining digital and physical financial records.
Act as back-up for monthly payroll processing in absence of Financial Services Manager. Prepare Agency payroll, verifies timesheets, enters updates into payroll system (ADP), prepares accounting transactions and posts entries relating to payroll, payroll taxes and other deductions, and reconciles accounting records and reports. Ensure the accurate and timely submittal of deposits for employee benefits and payroll tax obligations. Assist employees in enrolling, changing, or dropping benefit coverage. Interact and resolve issues with the payroll system provider (ADP) and external government agencies (i.e., Dept of Retirement, Dept of Labor & Industries, Employment Security, and the IRS).
Monitor and review the accounting of contracts and a variety of agreements including professional services, personal services, agency MOUs, and other contracts; ensuring compliance with federal and state fiscal requirements; assist with Tenant Lease renewals; monitor insurance expirations of personal/agency/tenant contracts/agreements.
Provide grant administration and support for grant-funded projects throughout the Agency. Assist in the tracking and analysis of all grants and ensures they meet grant regulation compliance and audit guidelines. Monitor expense and revenue reports to ensure all grant projects are being captured for grant billing and coded appropriately. Disseminates grant financial information to program managers for review and approval.
Track grant opportunities and provide technical assistance to agency staff and the Executive Director as needed, in applying for new agency grants.
Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and year-end balance sheet and income statement reconciliations. Ensure financial information reported on the financial statements is accurate and in compliance with BARS and agency requirements.
Provide recommendations for computerized financial system development which may include accounting, budgeting, and auditing work activities; participates in the updating of fiscal policies and procedures. Maintain current knowledge of in financial and government accounting standards and guidance, interprets new regulations and recommends incorporation in financial reporting practices for the Agency.
Provide financial information and audit documentation to State Auditors, Federal and State agency representatives, and others as requested in their review of agency records. Maintain thorough, accurate, and organized supporting documents.
Assist with the preparation of the annual budget. Prepare budget amendment schedules and supporting documentation. Reviews monthly financial information, comparing budget to actuals for various departments and provides updates to management.
Work to ensure that ORCAA complies with WACs, RCWs, and other requirements related to agency finances, purchasing and operational policies. Work closely with Financial Services Manager to continuously improve agency’s internal control measures.
Participate as a team member in a collaborative environment within a diverse workforce; actively contribute to completion of team goals and assigned tasks; clearly communicate information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing; follow recommended approach to assigned work to facilitate the achievement of desired results; ensure safe practices and environmental stewardship are exhibited in decisions.
Perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to provide back-up to the Financial Services Manager and other staff as needed.

Qualifications

Required Education:

Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting or Economics and two years of experience in government finance, accounting, and payroll, or associate degree in finance, accounting, economics ,or similar; or,
Four years of increasingly responsible experience in government finance, accounting, payroll, auditing, financial reporting, and budgets; or,
Combination of experience, education, and training that would substitute for the above requirements.

Required Experience:

A minimum of four years of payroll and accounting experience, to include working with Excel OR any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must be knowledgeable about principles, practices, and techniques of governmental accounting, including state and federal accounting, auditing rules and regulations, the financial aspects of grant management, and internal control standards.
Experience working with the Washington State Budget Accounting Reporting Systems (BARS).
Experience in Public Works contracting for local government, prevailing wage laws, and competitive bidding; experience with public sector procurement.

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

Knowledge of GAAP and Grant Reporting Requirements.
Knowledge of payroll software and systems, specifically ADP.
Ability to work within Washington State payroll rules and regulations and procedures.
Knowledge of public sector procurement laws, regulations, and procedures.
Ability to organize and prioritize assignments to maximize efficiency and to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy and meeting deadlines.
Ability to build rapport with others and develop and facilitate teamwork within different functional areas.
Strong analytical and decision-making skills to assess an issue and recommend a solution.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Proficient with a variety of computer programs including SAGE Accounting, Adobe, Grants.gov (federal award application portal) desired.
Maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgement.
Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
Dedicated to the work performed and willingness to learn.
Ethical conduct by being honest, forthright, and professional in all interactions.

Licenses/Certifications

Valid Washington state driver’s license is required.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This position is primarily in-office, but some telework may be possible.
Work is performed in a typical business office environment.
Ability to work well under pressure, deadlines, and changing priorities.
This position involves sitting or using a stand-up workstation daily, and regularly walking the building and grounds.
Physical requirements for this position include hearing, seeing, speaking, talking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions.

This job description is a summary rather than a detailed list of the duties performed. Olympic Region Clean Air Agency provides reasonable accommodations to assist qualified individuals to perform the essential functions their job requires.

Application Attestation:

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. ORCAA may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Why Work For ORCAA?

As an agency, ORCAA’s mission is to promote air quality and take actions that protect the health and welfare of people and the natural environment in our jurisdiction. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Joining ORCAA means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring the environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our region, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We offer a very strong benefits package and a strong commitment to a life/work balance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ORCAA is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

We know many candidates, especially women and people of color, do not apply to jobs unless they meet all required qualifications. If you meet most qualifications and believe you would bring the skills and approach we are looking for, we encourage you to apply.