Account Clerk I (Social Services)

Account Clerk I

The Account Clerk I performs routine clerical and technical financial record keeping work. This position works under direct supervision and reports to the DSS Deputy Director of Administration. Contribute to the delivery of programs and services in Charlottesville that support meeting essential needs, which promote self-sufficiency, and that enhance the quality of life for all residents in our community.

Required to respond upon activation from the City Manager of the Continuity of Operations Plan and/or Emergency Operations Plan. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Department guidelines.

The preferred hiring amount is between $18.40 - $22.62 an hour ($38,272.00 - $47,049.60 Annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Choice of retirement plan:
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the "Benefits" tab within this posting or visit the City's Employee Benefits webpage.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Performs a variety of routine clerical, account-keeping, and related tasks.
• Receives, checks, and distributes incoming mail.
• Audits account codes and receipts, assigns vendor and voucher numbers.
• Gathers, researches, assembles, tabulates checks, and files financial data.
• Posts, checks, balances, and adjusts routine financial accounts.
• Checks invoices, maintains varied financial and statistical records and compiles reports.
• Accounts for checks and cash received daily and balances against receipts.
• Operates processing equipment in preparing payroll listings, checks and outputs cards.
• Files various fiscal transaction documents.
• Searches documents for posting errors.
• Collates, sorts, and compiles fiscal data in accordance with procedures.
• Effectively operates computer, calculator, and other standard office; as well as departmental systems to maintain records.
• Keeps routine cost and inventory records.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• High School diploma or GED.
• OR
• 6 months of experience in general office work or bookkeeping.
• OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications/Licenses/Other: Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:

Job Knowledge

• Some knowledge of bookkeeping terminology, methods, procedures and equipment.
• General knowledge of standard office procedures, practices and equipment.

Reading

• Intermediate: ability to read and understand written materials such as financial documents, financial reports, books, magazines, journals, multi-step instruction manuals, and reference materials.

Writing

• Intermediate: ability to organize data and write clear and concise reports, business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech. Maintains standard financial records and prepares financial reports accurately.

Math

• Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.

Communication Skill

• Basic: Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers and customers. Provides standard information to and interacts with others outside direct reporting relationships on procedures or general policies. Interaction requires recognizing different points of view to ensure understanding and appropriate response.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires Immediate Direction: normally performs the duty assignment after receiving detailed instructions as to methods, procedures, and desired end results with little room for deviation. The immediate supervisor may, at times, provide close and constant review.

Technical Skill

• Skilled: practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Skill in the use of Microsoft Office programs, SAP, and financial management systems and software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• Completes and prepares financial transactions. No budgetary responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

Other Characteristics

• Organization and time management, sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Tedious or exacting work.
• Works closely with others as part of a team.
• Ability to work effectively with sensitive and confidential information.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Frequently maintains stationary position.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Occasionally moves about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screens for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• Noise level is moderate.

A pre-hire background check will be conducted on all candidates who are selected for employment with the Department of Social Services. It will include a criminal record check and a child abuse/neglect registry search. Additionally, a driving record check and education verification may