Fiscal Technician

Description

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Opportunity:

The WSDA Animal Services Division is dedicated to the protection, promotion and enhancement of animal health, wellness and well-being. The division works to promote the economic vitality of the livestock industry by minimizing exposure to animal diseases and providing owner asset protection through ownership inspections and livestock identification at state, national and international levels. The division safeguards the citizens of Washington by identifying and limiting the exposure to zoonotic diseases through disease surveillance, livestock identification and traceability.

The Livestock Identification Program's mission is to provide asset protection to Washington's livestock industry by inspecting cattle and horses for brands and other proof of ownership at mandatory inspection points in order to deter theft by denying an outlet for stolen animals. The program is funded 100% through fee for service revenue.

This position maintains the program's fiscal record keeping processes, systems and databases; records daily cash receipts; manages accounts receivable and prepares weekly financial reports for the program.

Important Notes

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Fiscal Technician 3 position within the Animal Services Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) Union.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary for this position is: Range 40 Step A $43,836 - Step L $56,952 annually.

Duties

Some of the various responsibilities within this role:

Controls Program's Fiscal Systems and Accounts Receivable

• Receive, review and audit payments submitted from WSDA inspectors and Field Livestock Inspectors.
• Ensure correct fees are applied to fee types 3104, 3I07, and 5110.
• Prepare journal vouchers according to agency fiscal office if requested.
• Reconcile fees that are charged to customer and ensures they are in accordance with statutes and rules.
• Review transmittals from WSDA Field staff that come into the Olympia office for accuracy.
• Prepare and post monthly invoices for accounts receivable to agency-level accounting system.
• Receive and reconcile payments from customer accounts monthly.
• Prepare and distribute weekly report to program staff for all inspections conducted but not yet paid.
• Oversee overdue balances, prepare aged receivable reports and pursue collection actions in coordination with the Assistant Attorney General.
• Oversee and audit unpaid balances due to the program to ensure that all money owed is collected.
• Send official notice letters to producers who have unpaid inspections outside of 2 weeks from the original inspection date.
• Prepare and remit monthly Washington State Beef Checkoff, ensuring that fee type 3107 is reconciled for the month and ensure that associated reports are submitted with payment to Beef Commission.
• Audit all payment types, payments that have been collected but not yet received, as well as payments that are charged to accounts.
• Receive daily cash receipts from agency fiscal office.
• Enter data into Animal Tracks or PISCES depending on inspection types.
• Communicate with Field inspectors and their supervisors to ensure that necessary fees are collected according to program policy and OFM waiver.

Qualifications

Who should apply?
Professionals with:

• High school diploma, or GED certificate (Equivalent Education/Experience).

AND

• Fifteen (15) quarter hours or ten semester hours of college-level accounting or bookkeeping.

AND

• Two (2) years of full-time experience as a Fiscal Technician, or equivalent, including experience using accounting-related software; An Associate of Arts Degree, or equivalent, in accounting or business may substitute for one year of required experience.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies

• Two (2) years of professional experience in a fiscal capacity.
• One (1) year of experience in a professional office setting, especially customer service based.

Supplemental Information

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

• Current resume detailing experience and education

• A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.

• Three professional references

WSDA uses a I-9 form(Download PDF reader) to determine Employment Eligibility and Verification, once hired. This document is the authorization of an individual’s ability to be hired for employment within the United States. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.