The City reserves the right to limit the applications considered to the first 100 applicants.
This recruitment may close at any time; apply immediately.
THE CITY
Located in the gateway to the Los Angeles metropolis, the City of Paramount offers secure quality of life to its residents and a business-friendly attitude that has created a growing retail and services sector, with a thriving Downtown.
Paramount's government is a stable, innovative, and financially conservative organization, and the City has continually invested in its infrastructure and emphasized code enforcement and assistance programs to help residents and businesses upgrade and maintain their properties. For these reasons, the City has a distinctive appearance that appeals to current and potential residents.
For its employees, Paramount offers a family-friendly organization that places emphasis on lifework balance and flexibility. City leadership highly values the input and impact of each employee. Rather than work from the top-down, Paramount chooses collaboration, fostering a professional, respectful, and fulfilling work environment.
CITY GOVERNMENT
The City of Paramount is operated by 7 departments: City Managers, Administrative Services; Planning; Public Safety; Public Works; Community Services, and Finance.
With an operating budget of $78.2M, City population of 52,000, and covering 4.8 square miles, the City of Paramount is dedicated to providing fiscally responsible services that maintain a vibrant community that is Safe, Healthy, and Attractive! We value respect and ethical behaviors, adaptability, service excellence, and accountability. The City promotes innovation through teamwork, and providing effective, inclusive, and transparent public information and engagement.
THE POSITION
Under direction, the Finance Assistant will perform moderately complex clerical accounting and financial recordkeeping duties in support of citywide finance, payroll and other financial related functions. The Finance Assistant will receive and process cash deposits; maintain data in computerized systems and prepare reports; provide reception for staff and visitors; and perform other related duties as assigned.
- Perform a variety of clerical accounting and recordkeeping duties in support of organizational payroll and finance functions; receive, verify, process, sort and file payroll or finance related forms and applications; maintain information in various automated systems.
- Record, count and verify daily cash received from various city departments; prepare and make deposits.
- Establish and maintain standard filing systems for various auditable records and documents related to payroll, personnel and assigned activities.
- Receive timesheets from various City departments and review for accuracy and completeness; enter timesheet information into an assigned computer system and verify balances; generate pre-defined reports and lists to find discrepancies; contact departments as needed to make corrections.
- Process, input and/or verify vendor invoices, utility refunds and other documents as directed; review and reconcile credit card transaction statements with charges.
- Review and reconcile bank reports against debits and credits; prepare reconciliation reports.
- Communicate with personnel and various outside agencies to exchange information and resolve issues.
- Provide office reception by greeting visitors, answering questions and/or referring to appropriate staff.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Experience:
One (1) year of progressively responsible experience performing financial or statistical recordkeeping duties or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience in a public agency is desirable.
Training:
High school graduation or equivalent is required. Bachelor's degree in a related field is highly desirable.
License or Certificate:
Valid Class C California Driver License and acceptable driving record.
Knowledge of:
- Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
- Clerical accounting and payroll processes.
- Clerical methods of researching, gathering, organizing and reporting data.
- Methods of prioritizing, planning and organizing office work.
- Time management techniques.
- Clerical customer service techniques.
- Clerical recordkeeping, filing and data reporting techniques.
- Cash handling procedures.
- Basic mathematics, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and percentages.
- Telephone techniques and etiquette.
- Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
- Personal computers and standard business software to perform clerical tasks.
Skill to:
- Effectively utilize modern office equipment, including personal computers and standard business software such as the Microsoft Office Suite.
- Gather accurate information through interviews and inquiries.
- Type and enter data accurately and at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
- Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and percentages.
- Safely operate one or more types of vehicles if required by assignments.
- Interact with the public using tact, patience and courtesy.
Ability to:
- Accurately follow oral and written instructions.
- Perform a variety of clerical recordkeeping duties in support of centralized finance and payroll functions.
- Interact frequently with the public and provide customer service in a calm, courteous and helpful manner.
- Maintain accurate records and efficient files using a variety of clerical organizational tools and filing structures.
- Apply and explain basic laws, codes, rules and regulations applicable to municipal financial activities.
- Adhere to established work schedules and timelines.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting and requires: the use of standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; the ability to perform work that is primarily sedentary, although standing in and walking between work areas may be required; finger dexterity to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Environmental Elements
Work is primarily performed in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances; may require interacting with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental and City policies and procedures.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Completed application and resume must be submitted by the filing deadline listed above. Application packets will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in the job announcement. Possession of the minimum qualifications does not ensure an invitation to the recruitment process. The selection process will include an oral interview and may include other testing processes designed to predict successful job performance.
Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Paramount is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
If you require reasonable accommodation during the examination components due to a qualified disability, you must inform the Human Resources Division at (562) 220-2155 at least 5 days in advance of testing date.
