Student Public Finance Specialist

General Statement of Duties
Performs a wide variety of administrative and technical support duties to Finance staff to help the department function more efficiently.

Distinguishing Features of the Class
The principal function of an employee in this class is to provide support duties to the Finance Department.  The work is performed under the direct supervision of the Principal Financial Analyst or Water Board Accountant, but some leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative.  An employee in this class must be capable of working independently and be able to establish priorities under the general guidance of the Principal Financial Analyst or Water Board Accountant.  An employee in this class performs the duties of other employees in the Finance Department as required or as assigned by supervisory personnel.  The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Department and City and Water Board employees and the public.  The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment, typically while sitting at a desk or table.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)
 
- Performs research, performance measurement tasks and other projects under the supervision of the Principal Financial Analyst or Water Board Accountant;
- Assists with monthly or year-end accounting duties under the supervision of the Deputy Finance Director, Principal Financial Analyst or Water Board Accountant;
Serves as a back-up to the City Revenue Office staff during rush periods by entering zero returns, sorting incoming mail, and entering tax payments;
- Enters utility payments, files customer records and sorts incoming mail to assist the Water Revenue Office;
- Assists with audit of Water Board and Sewer materials inventory;
- Organizes files under the supervision of the Finance Information Officer;
- Operates computer to type documents, input records, maintain databases and produce reports for management analysis;
- Copies, assembles, packages, and distributes a variety of written material as requested;
- Types a variety of documents including letters, memoranda, reports, schedules, purchase orders, calendars, bulletins, and narrative and statistical reports as instructed and requested by supervisor and other designated office personnel;
- Publishes and distributes budget documents and other financial reports as directed by the Finance Information Officer and the Principal Financial Analyst;
- Provides support to the Accounts Payable Office by preparing spreadsheets, entering invoices, preparing vendors checks for mailing, and filing paid invoices;
- Performs internal control review of Water Board final bill refund checks;
- Works in conjunction with the Revenue Accountant to review taxpayers' annual Occupation License Fee reconciliations for accuracy and analytical review of taxpayer database;
- Performs building maintenance tasks to assist the Purchasing Officer;
- Updates departmental procedures as directed by supervisory personnel;
- Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
- Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others, including department heads to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
- Interprets and applies departmental rules, policies and regulations in accordance with prescribed procedures and guidelines;
- Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- knowledge of the functions of a Finance Department within a city government;
- Skill to add, subtract, multiply, divide and derive percentages;
- Knowledge of various finance techniques, including calculation of interest, using appropriate computer software;
- Basic knowledge of financial instruments, such as leases, loans, investments, and mortgages;
- Ability to proofread and edit a wide variety of technical and non-technical documents, including narratives, spreadsheets, charts and graphs;
- Ability to read and understand college-level written material concerning various issues in public finance;
- Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions;
- Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
- Thorough knowledge of modern office procedures, practices and equipment;
- Thorough knowledge of modern office filing systems and procedures;
- Skill in the use of electronic word processing and spreadsheet software and document sharing software, as well as simple database design and use;
- Ability to prepare correspondences in writing according to standard business practices;
- Ability to work independently, with some supervision;
- Ability to deal with a wide range of persons at all levels within and outside of the City government, including situations in which individuals may be upset over some issue involving City or Water Board activities or policies;
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of all matters documented or discussed during the course of work performed;
- Ability to learn, apply and explain City and Water Board policies and Departmental rules, procedures, practices and objectives;
- Ability to communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
- Ability to efficiently manage time and to prioritize work in a multi-tasking environment;
- Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
- Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
- Ability to perform a wide variety of duties, tasks, and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
- Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
- Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Acceptable Experience and Training
- Current enrollment in an accredited college or university majoring in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration or a closely related field; and
- Some related office experience in accounting, financial statement preparation and budgeting; or
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Required Special Qualifications
None

Essential Physical Abilities
- Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;
- Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to review type written documents in both electronic and hardcopy form and to distinguish between shades of color;
- Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a personal computer and related office equipment;
- Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to function in the general office environment.
- Ability to intermittently sit, stand or stoop.
- Ability to occasionally lift objects that weigh less than 24 pounds or objects that way more than 25 pounds.

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