The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven, highly organized individual with accounting and fiscal experience to fill the role of Accountant III located in the Western Regional Office, Springfield MA. Reporting to the Fiscal Manager the selected candidate will assist in the management of all Purchasing and Accounts Payable transactions in COMMBUYS and MMARS (Massachusetts Management Accounting Reporting System).

For additional information about the Department of Youth Services and its programs please watch: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gyP0kCJ181nBakh9Cc0pNNEyPw7kAoI6/view

Schedule: 8:45am - 5:00pm Monday-Friday

Days Off: Saturday and Sunday

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Process encumbrances and payments and assuring conformance with Office of the State Comptroller, departmental policies and procedures and internal controls.

• Research all statewide and departmental contracts to ensure services and goods are being procured using the proper procurement methods and ensure proper use of contracts in regard to scopes of services/requests for responses.

• Utilize COMMBUYS for contract information to maximize the efficiency of the Fiscal Unit and ensure personnel receives the requested goods and/or services in a timely manner.

• Collaboration with suppliers to resolve conflicts/discrepancies, act as primary contact to vendors to resolve billing/balance discrepancies and help ensure proper application of payments and prompt pay discount utilization.

• Work directly with Maintenance Staff and Facility Administrators to advance the development, preparation and posting of bid solicitations, the evaluation and negotiation of contracts, and award contracts using the Commonwealth’s e-procurement system (COMMBUYS).

• Collaborate with Fiscal Manager, to ensure the GAAP and opening/closing procedures are followed and submitted as directed.

• Monitor accounting activity and assuring that spending does not exceed budgets and expenditure ceilings/allocations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree with a major in Accounting.

• Knowledge and understanding of accounting principles and practices, financial statements and procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret financial reports, accounts and ledgers, proficiency in calculating, balancing and compiling figures.

• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of accounting data, to draw conclusions and to make appropriate recommendations.

• Understanding of state budgetary process, state accounting procedures, and the Commonwealth’s procurement policies and procedures.

• Experience with MMARS payment system, COMMBUYS and other state applications; including the Commonwealth Information Warehouse.

• Ability to work under pressure and manage projects with a high degree of accuracy.

• Capacity to maintain accurate records and exercise discretion in handling confidential information.

• Proficiency to work both independently and as part of a Team, ability to establish and maintain professional and harmonious working relationships, strong oral and written communication skills as well as strong organizational skills.

• Ability to use relevant software (e.g., Microsoft Office products including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook) as well as technologies supporting a remote workplace (e.g., Zoom, WebEx, Microsoft Teams).

To Apply:

Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

About the Department of Youth Services:

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is the juvenile justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We work with young people who are detained or committed and provide detention, custody, diagnosis, education, and support to young people ages 12-21. Most of the youth served are between the ages 14 and 18. The Department promotes positive change for the youth committed to our care, and has been on the forefront of de-institutionalization, in part, by providing adolescent-focused rehabilitation to youth in residential treatment.

The goal of DYS is to focus on youths’ gradual reintegration back to the community as productive citizens. DYS works in partnership with provider agencies, law enforcement and school officials, families, communities and others to ensure that the services provided are effective and that they create pathways to success for the young men and women in DYS care and custody. By working in close collaboration with these entities, DYS can continue to help make communities better and safer places.

For more information please go to: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-youth-services.

Pre-Offer Process:

Pre-Employment Requirements: Candidates must pass a pre-employment screening which includes: 1) Drug Screening; 2) Psychological Screening; 3) Medical Examination; and 4) Physical Abilities Test (PAT) for direct care positions. If you would like more information, please logon to the DYS website www.mass.gov/dys to access detailed information on the Pre-Employment process.

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants".

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!