Senior Financial Officer

SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICER:  NOTICE OF EXAMINATION

The Grays Harbor County Civil Service Commission is establishing an eligibility list for Senior Financial Officer (SFO) for the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office.  Base pay for FSO is $9,031 per month plus benefits.  Testing will include written, background, and oral exams.  Applicants must be 18 years of age by date of hire.  Eligible names may remain on the established eligibility list for six months. This position requires successful completion of a 12-month probationary period.  Please read this entire notice to clearly understand the application, testing, and screening process.  Please retain a copy of this notice to refer to for times and locations throughout the exam process.

Benefits for SFO are as follows:  14 paid holidays (140 hours per year calculated using 10-hour days), minimum 9 hours sick leave per month, vacation time beginning at 8 hours per month the first year and reaching a maximum of 20 hours per month at 16 years’ service, deferred compensation match, education and military incentives, longevity pay, wellness incentive, employer paid life insurance, Teamsters’ health and welfare package currently 100% employer paid for employee and family, and $95/month toward premiums for retirees’ Health and Welfare Insurance.

Application Process:  To apply for the SFO civil service exams, applicants are encouraged to use https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/graysharbor.  The applications must be submitted by the closing date of May 8, 2026.  You may also apply using a Word link on the GHC Civil Service webpage, https://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/government/civil_service_commission/index.php. These applications must be mailed or emailed to Chief Ballou at the above address, postmarked by the designated closing date. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Oversees and directs accounting functions of the Sheriff’s Office to include budget preparation, grants management, payroll, accounts payable/purchasing, accounts receivable, voucher preparation, fixed asset accountability and cash receipting.  Identifies and resolves accounting and financial management control issues and establishes systems of financial internal control.   
2. Responsible for providing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial status reports for all funds. Tracks revenue flow, revenue and expenditure analysis, including but not limited to forecasting, cost projections, cost summaries and analyzing cash flow, to monitor and develop the Sheriff’s Office annual budgets.
3. Responsible for developing, monitoring and managing the day to day fiscal operations of the Sheriff’s Office budgets for proper classifications in accordance with the Washington State Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting Systems (BARS).
4. Responsible for developing processes to properly record small and attractive asset purchases per Washington State Auditor requirements.
5. Serves as the Project Administrator for Sheriff’s Office Projects for fiscal compliance and budget status.
6. Serves as the Grant Administrator for Sheriff’s Office Projects to maintain compliance and timely submittals for grant reimbursements.
7. Serves as Finance Division Chief for Emergency Management as assigned.
8. Serves as the Sheriff’s Office primary contact for the annual audit by the Washington State Auditor.
9. Controls integration of data from a variety of accounting systems including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipting, project tracking, fixed assets, inventory, and time management/billing into the county accounting system.
10. Responds to the Sheriff’s requests for special analysis and project management/support, as assigned.
11. Performs other related duties as directed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position may require:

Duties are typically performed in an office setting with visits to other departments and work sites.  Requires travel within the County and occasional travel outside the County.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

1. Must have experience and knowledge of the principles of professional municipal accounting, internal controls, practices and procedures involved in the management of public organizations combined with a firm understanding of current trends and requirements in public finance, accounting, and risk management. 
2. Must have experience and knowledge in Federal and state laws regarding governmental accounting procedures including Washington State Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting Systems (BARS).
3. Microsoft Windows and Windows based applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint); and the ability to create and maintain spreadsheets and databases.
4. Strong knowledge of English composition, spelling, and grammar; ability to prepare various written materials such as reports, correspondence, and forms with accuracy. 
5. Data processing principles and accounting applications.
6. Supervisory practices and principles.
7. Must understand Federal and State wage laws and be able to interpret collective bargaining agreements.  

Ability to:

1. Prioritize, plan, organize and oversee assigned work programs, including monitoring work schedules and staff deliverables. 
2. Work under pressure and with interruptions on multiple tasks with a variety of deadlines.
3. Think analytically and produce complex financial analyses clearly and competently, both orally and written. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
4. Operate 10 key calculators, copiers, fax machines, and multi-line phone systems.
5. Foster a departmental culture that provides excellent customer service while maintaining effective communication with the public and other employees, using tact, discretion and courtesy.
6. Understand and execute written and oral instructions and apply guidelines to widely varied situations while meeting time-sensitive deadlines.
7. Work on issues confidentially and with discretion. 
8. Analyze and evaluate fiscal operations and develop and implement corrective action to resolve problems.
9. Analyze, interpret and prepare accounting reports and financial statements.

The statements contained herein reflect general details describing the principle functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skills typically required, and the scope of responsibility.  They are not an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.

GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Be a citizen of the United States of America
2. Be at least 18 years of age prior to appointment
3. No record of felony convictions
4. No record of gross misdemeanor/misdemeanor convictions for crime involving theft, fraud, controlled substances, or physical harm.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Five years of progressively responsible accounting experience, a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or related course of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Government accounting experience and accounting experience
• CPA preferred.
• A valid Washington State Driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Ability to obtain and maintain First Aid, CPR, and Defensive Driving certifications.

Examination Process:  Successful candidates must pass three exams. Photo ID is required for admittance to on-site exams.

Test 1:   Written Exam

• Location:        Montesano City Hall, 112 N. Main in Montesano, at 9:00 a.m., May 16^th in the upstairs meeting room.  
• Electronic devices to remain in your vehicle.
• Multiple choice/fill-in exam with 100 possible points.
• Must score 70% or better to pass; top 25 scores will advance to Test 2 (PEBE).
• 2.5 hours allowed for exam.
• Exam will cover general and government accounting practices, math, customer service, and language skills.

Test 2:   Pre-Eligibility Background Exam (PEBE)

• Issued via email to top 25 written exam scores.  Return per exam’s included instructions.
• This exam is a 30-question background questionnaire.

Test 3:   Oral Board (OB) Interview

• Date:        May 28, 2026.  (Possible extension to 29^th if needed.)
• Location:        Forestry Building, 310 W. Spruce Ave. in Montesano; sign-in on the 2^nd floor.
• Those qualified for the OB will receive appointment information via emailed letter.
• Score of 70% is required to pass the OB and advance to placement on the FSO Eligibility List.

Scoring: Those who pass the civil service exams described above will receive a letter informing them of all scores, final score, and rank on the Senior Financial Officer Eligibility List. Veteran’s points will have been added to passing final scores of qualified veterans. Veterans must have had an honorable discharge and must not yet have been employed by the state of Washington or any of its political subdivisions (e.g., counties, public utilities, schools) or municipal corporations.Veterans must submit a copy of their DD214 or NGB 22.

Selection Procedure: Eligible candidates will be ranked on the Senior Financial Officer Eligibility List in descending order by final score. Those named as eligible will remain on the list for six months unless hired or removed for cause. It is the responsibility of those on the eligibility list to inform

Chief Ballou of any change to their contact information during the life of the list.  Failure to do so is cause for removal from the list.  

In order to fill SFO vacancies, the Chief Examiner will submit the top five names on the eligibility list to the Sheriff for consideration.   During this portion of the hiring process, candidates will be subject to a complete background investigation (including criminal history) and will undergo polygraph, psychological, and physical examinations.  Additional names will be forwarded to the Sheriff if needed. 

Grays Harbor County is an equal opportunity employer.