OPEN/PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
TENTATIVE EXAMINATION DATES:
WRITTEN EXAM - Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 - Times to be determined
The City of Stockton is currently looking to fill a vacancy that exists within the Payroll division of the Administrative Services Department. Preferred candidates will have experience working with an automated payroll system and have exposure to processing and/or maintaining workers' compensation cases as they relate to payroll entry and monitoring.
Under general supervision, provides a variety of finance office support services related to accounts payable, payroll, customer service, and/or other general finance office support functions as assigned. Some positions may have public contact.
Incumbents in this position are included in the Civil Service system, in a "for-cause" employment status, and are represented by the Stockton City Employees' Association. (Classified/Represented)
This recruitment is being conducted as an Open/Promotional recruitment. Current full-time, regular-status, City of Stockton employees may apply for this position as a promotional opportunity and successful candidates will be placed on a promotional list. All other candidates may apply for this position as an open competitive opportunity and successful candidates will be placed on an open list. The appointing authority will have the option of requesting names from the promotional list, the open list or a combination of both.
These lists may be used to fill future vacancies.
Prior to appointment, eligible candidates will be required to submit to and successfully pass a drug screen and background investigation, which will include fingerprinting.
Under general supervision, provides a variety of finance office support services related to accounts payable, payroll, customer service, and/or other general finance office support functions as assigned. Some positions may have public contact.
This is a deep class in which incumbents may be assigned to any of the three levels, provided that they possess the required education, skills and experience, and successfully demonstrate proficiency which meets the qualifications for the class to which they are assigned. Such assignments and advancements shall be at the discretion of the department head, with approval of the City Manager.
Finance Assistant I is the entry-level class of this series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn City finance office policy and procedures, including customer service techniques, accounts payable, payroll, and/or Stockton Municipal Code (SMC), state, and federal regulations depending on functional area to which assigned. As experience is gained, duties become more diversified and are performed under more general supervision.
Finance Assistant II is the journey-level class of this series. The incumbent is fully competent to perform a variety of financial and accounting office support duties and customer service. Successful performance at this level requires a thorough knowledge of City and departmental policy and procedures, in the assigned areas governing payroll processing, accounts payable, and general accounting support. This class is distinguished from Senior Finance Assistant which is the specialist and/or lead level of the series.
Senior Finance Assistant is the advanced level in the series and may act in a lead capacity, in addition to performing complex or specialized functions. The work may include project or day to day leadership of others in a specific functional area. This class is distinguished from the Financial Services Supervisor in that the latter has full supervisory responsibility.
- Assists customers over the phone, at the counter, or by mail regarding payroll and vendor payments.
- Inputs information into a computer system or manually prepares forms related to assigned function.
- Maintains and updates master payroll records, including the production of employee paychecks, benefit statements and accrual calculations.
- Researches and adheres to payroll practices and procedures, as defined within Memorandums of Understandings, other agreements, city policies and directives.
- Matches invoices, receiving reports and other requests for payment; ensures proper authorization and compliance with City policies and procedures to ensure timely payment of the City's liabilities.
- Reviews payments for applicability of Federal and State tax laws.
- Reconciles and prepares payments for non-purchase order expenditures such as utility and telephone payments.
- Provides information to vendors and departments regarding invoice payments.
- Reconciles and prepares tax reports and reconciles and computes payments due for various benefit program providers.
- Explains payroll deductions and related payroll transactions to City employees.
- Researches and assembles information from a variety of sources for the completion of forms or the preparation of reports.
- Maintains accounting and financial and statistical records and prepares periodic or special reports.
- Reviews own work and the work of others for accuracy, completeness, format, and compliance with policies and procedures.
- Performs a variety of general office support duties.
- Enters and retrieves data from an online or personal computer system; may use such technology to create and produce standard reports and databases.
Senior Finance Assistant
In addition to the above:
- May provide lead direction, training and work review to a group of Finance Assistants on a project or day-to-day basis; organizes work, sets priorities and follows up to ensure coordination and completion of assigned work.
- Reviews and interprets data from varied reports, computer output and related data.
- Creates and maintains data bases for tracking of information.
- Assists in implementing efficiencies in operations.
- Performs difficult or complex accounting or financial office support work in assigned function.
- Provides information to the public or to City staff that requires the use of judgment and a clear understanding of applicable policies, rules or procedures.
Education/Experience:
Finance Assistant I: Possession of a high school diploma or GED and one year of experience in payroll, accounts payable, or general clerical customer service. Course work in bookkeeping is desirable.
Finance Assistant II: In addition to the above, two (2) years of accounting, payroll, accounts payable, financial record keeping, or bookkeeping experience.
Or
One (1) year of accounting, financial record keeping, or bookkeeping and possession of at least 30 semester or 60 quarter units from an accredited university or college with major course work in Accounting, Banking, Business Administration or a closely related field.
Senior Finance Assistant: In addition to the above, must have worked at a level equivalent to the City'sFinance Assistant II for one (1) year and demonstrated the ability to serve in a lead capacity at the City of Stockton.
Or
Possession of an Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Business Administration, or a closely related field and two (2) years of work experience at a level equivalent to the City's Finance Assistant II classification.
Other Requirements:
- Specified positions may require the use of a valid California Driver's License.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
Knowledge of:
- Financial record keeping and bookkeeping practices and procedures;
- Office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment;
- Written and oral communication skills, including spelling, grammar and punctuation, and letter writing;
- Basic math skills;
- Knowledge of basic business data processing principles and the use of a personal computer, including software such as Microsoft Word and Excel;
- Quality customer service principles and practices, including conflict resolution.
Skill in:
- Making accurate mathematical calculations;
- Operate a 10 key by touch;
- Organizing and maintaining accurate financial and customer records;
- Using initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines;
- Prioritizing and coordinating work activities and meeting critical deadlines;
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
- Operating standard office equipment, including a ten key calculator and personal computer;
- Reading and understanding rules, policies and procedures;
- Understanding and carrying out oral and written directions.
The Examination:Applicants who qualify in terms of relevant work experience and education,
that best fit the needs of the City, will be invited to participate in the examination process. The examination process may include written examination weighted 100%. However, the City reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods if deemed necessary. Candidates must receive a minimum passing score of 70%, as determined by the relative performance of all candidates in all portions of the examination. In the event of identical ratings, candidates' names will be arranged in order of application date/time, and, if the same, then arranged alphabetically.
ALL APPLICATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRES MUST BE COMPLETED FULLY AND SUBMITTED ON AN OFFICIAL ONLINE CITY OF STOCKTON APPLICATION. IF YOU ARE QUALIFYING UNDER PATTERN I OR PATTERN II (SEE QUESTION #6) PROOF OF MEETING THE EDUCATION REQUIREMENT (DIPLOMA, GRADE REPORT, OR UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS) MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE FINAL FILING DATE. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE REJECTED AND CANNOT BE REVISED AFTER SUBMITTAL ON OR BEFORE THE FINAL FILING DATE. POSTMARKS, FACSIMILES, AND PHOTOCOPIES OF THE CITY'S EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. RESUMÉS ARE WELCOMED BUT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT STATE "REFER TO RESUME". The information in this announcement concerning the terms and conditions of employment does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract, and these provisions are subject to change. NOTE:- After on-line submittal, immediate notification will appear on your screen indicating your application has been received. Please print this as confirmation of application submittal.
- Notification and correspondence will be sent via email only. No paper notices will be mailed to applicants. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure a correct email address is provided and that correspondence is being received.
- NeoGov.com: Some e-mail accounts have been known to place these e-mails in the spam/junk file. Please check your e-mail folders or accept e-mails ending with neogov.com.
In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et seq., all City of Stockton employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.