What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Account Clerk - Scale House position at City of Santa Maria, CA?
OPPORTUNITY
The Utilities Department is hiring to fill one vacancy assigned to the Santa Maria Regional Landfill.
POSITION SUMMARY
Under general direction of assigned supervisor, the Lead Account Clerk - Scale House oversees the day-to-day operations and business activities of the Santa Maria Regional Landfill (SMRL) Scale House. Responsible for ensuring daily operations are fully staffed, financial transactions are correctly processed, and department records are accurately maintained. This position trains, instructs, and monitors subordinate and support staff and leads special projects.
The Lead Account Clerk – Scale House is distinguished from the Account Clerk – Scale House in that the former serves as a working supervisor for its assigned area. This position is a Frontline Supervisor that receives limited supervision and works within an established framework of standard policies and procedures to accomplish objectives. Their role is essential in delivering reliable, prompt, and accurate services.
IMPORTANT WORK CONDITION INFORMATION
The position is stationed in the SMRL Scale House, which is an on-site, field facility that serves as an intake point for landfill customers. The candidate must be comfortable working in a non-traditional office environment, standing for extended periods, and working in a fast-paced setting.
IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, reliable, and organized professional with strong experience in financial operations and staff supervision. They are an effective communicator and problem solver who lead teams, train staff, and confidently resolve operational conflicts. They maintain accurate financial and operational records, draft clear procedures, and deliver excellent customer service while upholding the highest standards of organizational values. Experience in solid waste management, landfill processes, or scalehouse operations is highly desirable.
REQUIRED ONLINE SUBMITTALS
- Up-to-date application
- A cover letter that explains how your education and experience align with the Ideal Candidate Statement.
Full Job Description: Lead Account Clerk – Scale House
DUTIES
- Plans and leads daily business activities of the Scale Houses. Ensures operations are fully staffed and oversees the work of subordinate and support staff.
- Verifies the accurate processing and recording of daily financial transactions and reconciliations within assignment area. Promptly resolves discrepancies.
- Trains and instructs subordinate and support staff to adhere to operational procedures and service standards.
- Prepares, reviews, and verifies that financial and operational records are accurately maintained.
- Drafts standard operating procedures and other operational materials.
- Assists with employee performance evaluations.
- Leads and/or supports special projects that are within business operation objectives.
- Serves as the subject matter expert for Scale House operations. Responds to complex customer inquiries and complaints.
- Collaborates with other Department staff and provides recommendations for business operation and customer service improvements.
- Performs all duties of the Account Clerk – Scale House classification.
- Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the department director.
- Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
- Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
- Demonstrates regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
Front-line Supervisor:
- Assertiveness - Effective performers are self-confident, readily offer options and take action, and challenge others when appropriate. They trust their judgment.
- Conflict Management - Effective performers recognize that conflict can be a valuable part of the decision-making process. They support and manage differences of opinion and use consensus and collaboration to resolve issues.
- High Standards - Effective performers model professional standards, pay attention to detail, continually seek to improve processes, hold staff accountable, and find best practices.
- Informal Communication - Effective performers clearly and articulately convey information to others. They accurately interpret and understand nonverbal cues.
- Positive Impact - Effective performers make positive impressions on those around them. They are personable, self-confident, optimistic, enthusiastic, and generally likable.
- Delegation - Effective performers willingly entrust work to others, provide clear guidelines, provide challenging assignments, and empower others.
- Active Listening - Effective performers offer their full attention when others speak, actively listen, and demonstrate verbal and nonverbal listening cues to ensure understanding.
- Team Management - Effective performers select and build effective work groups, understand the human dynamics of team foundation, and create and maintain functional teams. They formulate team roles, provide guidance, and reward team behavior.
- Influence - Effective performers are skilled at directing, persuading, and motivating others. They establish a personal power base built on mutual trust, fairness, and honesty, and flex their style to direct, collaborate, or empower others.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ideally, three years of experience equivalent to that of Account Clerk – Scale House.
- One year of recent experience in a lead or supervisory capacity is highly desirable.
- Graduation from high school.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
- Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:
- Knowledge of laws, regulations, and best practices related to waste management, as well as familiarity with the tools, equipment, and safety protocols commonly associated with waste disposal operations, is highly desirable. Basic accounting principles and procedures; financial and statistical record keeping including data entry; etc.
- Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Use computer and other office equipment effectively.
- Desired licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment.
SELECTION PROCESS
- Possession of a valid and appropriate Driver’s License. Must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record and meet City liability requirements to drive for City business.
- Requires completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the City.
- The incumbent must meet the physical requirements of the job class and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.
The complete online application packet consists of the application and cover letter. Those who meet the minimum qualifications of this recruitment will be certified to the Eligibility List. The Hiring Department will select and interview individuals from the Eligibility List. Please note that only those who best meet the needs of the Hiring Department will be invited to an interview.
If you are experiencing any technical (computer-related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, call the NEOGOV helpline for assistance at 1-855-524-5627.
The following benefits vary by bargaining unit. For full benefit information please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding or compensation resolution available at https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/human-resources/salary-group-agreements.
Retirement
The City of Santa Maria is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Your benefit factor is determined by the retirement formula, age, service credit and final compensation. Based upon your bargaining unit and hire date the benefit factor will vary.
Medical Insurance is provided to employees and eligible dependents through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). There are four Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO's) and three Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's) to choose from. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
The City has a medical insurance benefit program which provides either payment towards the premium for the employee and eligible dependents, or cash payment if you and your dependent(s) already have health benefits. Evidence of major medical health insurance coverage is required for those employees who receive the cash payment. See Memorandum of Understanding for eligibility requirements.
Dental Insurance
Dental Insurance is provided to employees and eligible dependents through The Standard covering 100% of Preventive; 90% of Basic; and 60% of Major with a minimal deductible. The plan includes a Max Builder option rewarding insured employees and their dependents who use only a portion of their annual dental benefit maximum. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
Vision Insurance
Vision Insurance is available to employees and eligible dependents. Coverage is through VSP and covers an annual Well Vision exam and an allowance towards prescription glasses. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
All employees working a minimum of thirty two (32) hours per week are eligible for Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. Supplemental life, spousal and dependent child options are also available. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
All employees working a minimum of thirty two (32) hours per week, excluding Sworn Police and Fire shall participate in the short-term and long-term disability plan with coverage up to 66 2/3% of salary. Sworn Police and Fire are covered through their respective bargaining unit.
The City offers a flexible spending account option for Dependent Care and Health Care Expenses. With these plans, employees can choose to place a portion of their earnings into a personal reimbursement account on a pre-tax basis. Doing so lowers employees' taxable income for the year and allows them to pay for their qualified dependent care and eligible health care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Employee Assistance Program
Offered to help employees gain knowledge, skills and motivation to improve the quality of their lives and well-being. The City's Wellness Program includes ergonomic evaluations, flu shots, and Wellness Workshops during lunch and after work. Access to the Paul Nelson Aquatics Center for employee and immediate family members. Access to the Weight room at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center for employee and immediate family members. Access to employee discounts and special offers on travel, entertainment, shopping, dining and services.
Mentorship Program
Succession Planning
The academies are offered to all employees including those that are not yet in a supervisory role, but are interested in becoming leaders within the organization as well as our executive management team who have an interest in honing their skills and helping to prepare our future leaders. In addition to multiple leadership academies, the City offers quarterly Speaker Series, a corporate Toastmasters club available for City employees, site tours of various departments, and more.
Deferred Compensation
Employees may participate in the City's 457 Deferred Compensation Plan sponsored by either Empower or CalPERS Supplemental Income. The plan enables employees to save salary and earn interest on a tax-deferred basis. A City match is available based upon representation.
The City also provides an IRS approved 401(a) plan sponsored by Empower for managers represented by Non-Represented Full-Time Management & Confidential (NMAC).
Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP)
Based upon your bargaining unit the City may participate in a PEHP plan that will provide reimbursement for out-of-pocket cost of qualified medical expenses such as prescription drugs, doctor co-pays, eyeglasses and cover the reimbursement of medical insurance premiums upon separation or retirement.
Holidays
The City offers seven (7) paid holidays per year. In addition, based upon your bargaining unit a bank of floating holiday hours is available to be used at the employee's discretion.
Vacation
The City initially offers two weeks of paid vacation per calendar year for all full time employees. Accrual rates increase thereafter based upon your bargaining unit.
Sick Leave
Sick leave shall accrue a rate of eight hours for each month of continuous service, or approximately two weeks per year for all full time employees. Employees may use up to half of their annually accrued sick leave for family illness and up to five days (40 hours) per calendar year for bereavement leave.
Management level employees may receive a prorated amount of management leave time each new calendar year.
Educational Incentive Program
In addition to regular pay when education is in addition to the regular requirements of the job specifications and is work related.
Tuition Reimbursement
Based on your bargaining unit, you may be reimbursed for tuition and book costs of approved job related courses. The maximum amount of tuition reimbursement in any calendar year will vary based upon your bargaining unit.
Auto Allowance
Management level employees may receive auto allowance based upon the need of the position.
Telephone/PDA Stipend
Management level employees may receive a telephone and/or PDA stipend based upon the need of the position.
Bilingual Pay
Bilingual pay is provided to employees who are required by their department head to use both English and Spanish in communicating with the public while performing the duties of his/her position and who demonstrate appropriate skills in both speaking and understanding the Spanish language shall receive compensation. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.