TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, AN ONLINE APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED BY VISITING GOVERNMENTJOBS.COM/CAREERS/SBCOUNTY

We are accepting applications to fill one vacancy in Santa Barbara. The current vacancy is in the Behavioral Wellness Department.

The established employment list may also be used for future Full-Time, Part-Time, and Extra-Help vacancies in the Behavioral Wellness, Probation Department and Social Services Department. Please select which vacancy location and department you would like to be considered for current and future vacancies. If you qualify for this position and pass the required selection steps, then your name will be sent to the hiring department of the vacancy locations where you have expressed interest that you are willing to work.
 
THE POSITION:  Under direction, supervises and performs the most complex accounting duties, including: cost accounting, rate-setting, cash management, and accounting that requires knowledge of specialized rules and regulations; prepares and monitors departmental budget; provides significant accounting expertise to departmental management in order to help department achieve fiscal goals, and performs other related duties as required.

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or other related field.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of governmental accounting; and principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Ability to use personal computer applications including word processing, database software, and accounting software.
• Experience in month-end closing, budget development, accounts payable.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

1. Directly or through subordinate staff: prepares technical fiscal reports, staff reports for the Board of Supervisors, time studies, and audits; performs cost accounting and cash management; analyzes revenue sources to maximize revenue recovery; sets consumer rates for services provided by department; analyzes departmental fiscal operations, identifies opportunities for increased fiscal effectiveness and efficiency, and develops and implements solutions.
2. Directly or through subordinate staff: selects and supervises professional, paraprofessional, and clerical accounting staff; identifies training needs of subordinate staff and colleagues and provides or arranges for training; establishes standards and evaluates performance; provides technical guidance on difficult accounting problems; reviews and approves personnel actions taken by subordinate supervisors, including selection, performance appraisals, and discipline.
3. Participates in contract negotiations by providing executive staff with detailed fiscal analysis of potential negotiating positions and recommending strategies; represents the department directly in negotiations with external agencies and organizations; acts as departmental fiscal liaison with state and federal agencies, elected officials, and others, providing information, advocating the department's position, and explaining accounting methods.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

1. Three years of professional experience in accounting or auditing; OR,  
2. One year of experience performing duties equivalent to Accountant III or Accountant-Auditor III with Santa Barbara County; OR,
3. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities. 

Knowledge of: generally accepted accounting principles; generally accepted auditing standards; principles and practices of supervision; principles and practices of operational auditing; cost accounting; governmental budgeting; cash management techniques; state codes, rules, and regulations related to County fiscal operations; application of computer software to accounting operations.
 
Required for positions in health care: Knowledge of health care financial methods.
 
Ability to: plan, assign, coordinate, organize, and prioritize work; train and supervise staff; prepare and monitor budgets; prepare a variety of written documents; gather and analyze data to develop and recommend a course of action; establish standards and evaluate performance; establish and maintain working relationships with others; learn the operations and working environment of the hiring department.
 
Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required for some positions.
 
Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor may be required for some positions upon appointment.
 
Please note Probation Department incumbents will be required to wear a uniform; a uniform allowance will be provided.
  

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than eleven (11) qualified candidates.

Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking to be placed on an employment list.  An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI.  Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months.  At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.  The Human Resources Department will notify you by mail if your name is removed.

Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ).  Upon placement on the employment list, candidates that have selected an interest in working for the Probation Department, will be emailed instructions to complete the PHQ.
 
Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
 
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Conditional Job Offer for departments other than Probation Department:  Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.  Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.  The appointee must satisfactorily complete a twelve-month probationary period.

For Probation Department Only: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes, but not limited to a criminal history check, reference and employment checks, as well as the following:

• Polygraph Examination: A polygraph examination will be administered after a selection interview is given and you are advancing to the next step in the hiring process. The polygraph measures the accuracy of information given during the background investigation process.
• Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.  The appointee must satisfactorily complete a twelve month probationary period.

The County of Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) who believes a diverse workforce is vital to upholding its mission. Recruiting efforts are designed to find, hire and retain top talent of various background and, experiences. We believe a diverse workgroup promotes productivity and cultural acceptance where differences are embraced and encouraged.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE:  12/16/19 at 5:00 p.m. (PDT).  Postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.  In Santa Barbara, applications and job bulletins may be obtained at the Human Resources Department, 1226 Anacapa Street, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  In Santa Maria, applications and job bulletins can be obtained on-line only at the Workforce Resource Center located at 1410 S. Broadway, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Applicants may use county computers at the Workforce Resource Centers to complete online applications and assessments at the following locations:

Workforce Resource Center in Santa Barbara
130 East Ortega Blvd Santa Barbara, CA
(805) 568-1296    
Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday
 
Workforce Resource Center in Santa Maria
1410 South Broadway Santa Maria, CA
(805) 614-1550    
Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday

Raquel Martinez, Senior Employment Analyst, rmartinez@sbcountyhr.org,  (805) 568-2842