Accounting Specialist

Salary : $40,440.00 - $49,152.00 Annually

Location : Eureka, CA

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 24 / 25.33

Department : Finance

Opening Date : 02 / 03 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 18 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Pacific

Description Summary

Base salary to increase by 3% in July 2025 with another 3% increase in July 2026.

DEFINITION

Under direct or general supervision, assists other finance personnel in performing a wide variety of responsible clerical and general accounting duties in the preparation, maintenance, and processing of accounting records and financial transactions, including accounts payable and accounts receivable; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. No direct supervision of staff is exercised. May exercise technical and functional direction over assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Initially, under direct supervision, incumbents perform work in accounts receivable and / or accounts payable, in addition to performing a variety of record keeping, reconciliation, and front counter and utility billing support activities. As knowledge and experience are gained, the work becomes broader in scope, and assignments are more varied. This class is distinguished from Accounting Technician in that the latter is a higher-level class in the series and performs more complex technical accounting support duties.

Expectation of Job Duties

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

When performing all assignments :

• Maintains the daily financial records on utility accounts, including receiving utility payments, performing data entry, maintaining receipt records according to prescribed guidelines, printing and auditing reports, entering field data, preparing and balancing invoices, and preparing work orders.
• Issues business licenses and processes renewals, including batching receipts for incoming renewals, assessing penalties and late fees, and recording new license numbers.
• Assists other finance personnel in performing a variety of technical accounting duties in the preparation, maintenance and processing of accounting records and financial transactions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing functions, and business licenses.
• Verifies, posts and records a variety of financial transactions; prepares and maintains spreadsheets, records and a variety of periodic and special financial and accounting reports.
• Enters and retrieves information using standard word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Reconciles transactions and data as directed; records changes and resolves differences, maintains the accuracy of basic accounting and financial records related to the assigned functional area; handles cash transactions.
• Prepares receipts for utility, business and dog licenses, insurance payments, and other accounts receivables.
• Assists customers, departments, and employees by providing answers and information regarding specific account information, discrepancies and / or basic accounting procedures; and updates related files and departments on action items.
• Generates and assists in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial, summary and technical reports, as directed.
• Performs general office support duties such as filing and record keeping, prepares correspondence.
• Assists professional accounting staff with special projects as required.
• Contributes to a positive work environment by participating in solutions to problems as they occur.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

When performing the Water / Sewer Billing assignment :

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of :

Ability to :

Requirements

Education and Experience :

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be :

License :

No other information will be accepted and resumes, cover letters or additional materials WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and / or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

All applications received are screened to determine which applicants most closely match the desired education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the position. Applicants will receive email notification of the results of the screening process. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not necessarily guaranteed advancement to the examination process, as only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate. The most qualified applicants will be invited to an in-person only written examination tentatively to be held in early March. The Department Head (and / or designee(s)) will interview the top six (6) candidates from the examination process. The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, and grant positions. The City reserves the right to extend the final filing date as necessary.

Important Note : Please make sure it is absolutely clear in your application exactly how you meet the minimum qualifications / requirements listed above. Applications that do not appear to meet the minimum qualifications will not move forward in the recruitment process.

City of Eureka's Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging

We envision an inclusive community where everyone's fundamental needs are met, where our employees respect and celebrate all walks of life, where everyone can grow and thrive, as we work with integrity for the good of Eureka. Our mission is to meet the needs of Eureka residents, businesses and visitors by providing services and making decisions that are socially, fiscally and environmentally responsible, creating a workplace that values growth, inclusion and empathy for

all.

Disaster Service Worker

All City of Eureka employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin

may be modified or revoked. The City of Eureka is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis

of handicap status in the admission, access to, treatment, or employment for its programs, or activities, whether funded by

the City or by grants. Women, persons with disabilities, and minorities are encouraged to apply. In accordance with the

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate people with special physical or mental requirements. If you have special needs, please call (707) 441-4124 prior to the examination date. When indicating you have a special need, one of the following definitions will apply to you. A disabled person is anyone who : (1) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities : i.e., walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, working or learning; or (2) has a record of such impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.

Retirement

CalPERS Classic members : (2.7% @ 55) - Employees hired before 01 / 01 / 2013 by a CalPERS agency and who have less than a 6 month break in service, are considered "classic members" with all classic member benefits and restrictions. Employee portion : 8% per MOU agreement.

CalPERS PEPRA members : (2% @ 62) - Employees hired by a CalPERS agency after 01 / 01 / 2013, are considered PEPRA members with the new AB 340 benefit formulas, final compensation and contribution requirements. Employee portion : 7.75% per MOU agreement. The employee contribution is included in salary and is paid by the employee.

NOTE : Earnings from this job are not covered under Social Security. When you retire you may receive a pension based on earnings from this job. If you do, your pension may affect the amount of Social Security benefits you may receive. For more information go to

Medical

The City's workers' compensation coverage is self-funded. Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents is provided through Teamsters. An agreed portion of the health insurance premium is paid by the City; the remainder is paid by the employee. If eligible, the City's payment includes contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) for those employees electing medical and prescription coverage.

Vacation

Vacation is accumulated at 1 day per month upon employment and increases with time in service. The maximum accrual is 35 days.

Sick Leave

Sick Leave is accrued at 1 day per month with no limit. Six days of Family Sick Leave are also allowed per fiscal year and are deducted from employee's accrued Sick Leave. An employee may be allowed Family Death Leave up to 3 days per incident. This is not accruable.

Holidays

The City pays for 12 fixed holidays per year, in addition to 3 floating holidays.

Life Insurance

The City pays the premium on a $5,000 life insurance policy for eligible employees, including eligible dependent coverage at $1,000 each.

Longevity / Retention Base Salary Increase

Five (5) years of continuous service = 2%

Ten (10) years of continuous service = 4%

Fifteen (15) years of continuous service = 6%

Bereavement Leave

All regular employees may utilize paid bereavement leave to attend a funeral or memorial service, or to take care of family matters that are related to the death of a member of immediate family. Employees are entitled to up to forty (40) hours for each death in the immediate family.

Other Benefits

Other benefits include optional participation in deferred compensation plans, City-paid membership in an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for the employee and eligible dependents, free membership at the Adorni Recreation Center for employee, spouse and dependent children, an educational reimbursement program, free enrollment at Little Saplings Preschool for children of City employees, 50% off fees for after school programs for children of City employees and free Sequoia Park Zoo membership for the entire family.

Note : Although benefits have been reported as accurately as possible, there has been no warranty of complete benefit summary intended. All information provided is subject to the actual terms of the legal documents that control benefit programs.

Describe your experience as it specifically relates to the duties and responsibilities listed in the Accounting Specialist job description. (Include employer name, your title and length of time performing the work).

This position requires extensive public contact, both in person and on the telephone. Describe your experience working with the public on a regular basis. (Include employer name, your title and length of time performing the work).

3. This position operates a computer on a daily basis to perform a variety of duties. Please describe your experience using a) Word b) Excel c) Outlook d) 10 Key. (Include employer name, your title and length of time performing the work. Also include your proficiency with each program (i.e., none, some, good, proficient)).

Required Question

Salary : $40,440 - $49,152