Accounts Payable Specialist

Department: BAR — Budget, Accounting, and Reporting Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (or designee within BAR leadership) The Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD) is a special-purpose district created by the Texas Legislature under S.B. 1160, 87th Regular Session, to serve as the non-federal sponsor for the Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay (S2G) and Coastal Texas (CTX) coastal storm risk management projects. Partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a 65/35 federal-to-local cost-share, GCPD is responsible for managing nearly $1 billion in state appropriations and coordinating one of the largest coastal infrastructure programs in the nation, protecting millions of people and billions of dollars of assets along the Texas Gulf Coast. GCPD is a small, high-impact organization with a lean professional staff. Every team member plays a meaningful role in delivering a historically significant public infrastructure program. Position Summary GCPD seeks a detail-oriented Accounts Payable Specialist to join its Budget, Accounting, and Reporting team. This position is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of GCPD’s vendor invoices, contractor pay applications, and for maintaining the integrity of the District’s vendor profiles. This is a specialized role requiring familiarity with governmental accounts payable practices, internal controls, and grant-funded expenditure eligibility. The successful candidate will be comfortable managing multiple invoices and deadlines in a small, dynamic finance team. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Invoice and Disbursement Processing Receive, review, and process vendor invoices, contractor pay applications, and reimbursement requests for accuracy, completeness, and appropriate supporting documentation. Match invoices to purchase orders, contracts, and receiving documentation; identify and resolve discrepancies before payment. Code invoices to the correct fund, department, project, and grant or cooperative agreement line in accordance with GCPD’s chart of accounts. Prepare and process payment runs (checks, ACH, wire) in accordance with GCPD’s disbursement policies and authorized signer requirements. Maintain organized, audit-ready accounts payable files, both physical and electronic. Compliance and Controls Verify that expenditures are eligible and properly supported under applicable Local Cooperation Agreement (LCA), grant, and reimbursement/work-in-kind requirements. Apply GCPD travel and expense policy when processing travel reimbursements. Maintain segregation of duties consistent with GCPD internal control policy, escalating any conflicts or exceptions to the CFO. Support preparation of documentation for external audits and respond to auditor requests related to accounts payable. Vendor and Contract Support Maintain the vendor master file, including W-9 collection, 1099 tracking, and vendor banking/ACH setup verification. Communicate professionally with vendors and contractors regarding invoice status, payment timing, and documentation requirements. Support the Procurement & Contract Administrator in tracking contract spend against budgeted and encumbered amounts. Systems and Reporting Serve as a front-line user of GCPD’s accounting system for the accounts payable and procure-to-pay workflow, providing feedback on process design as systems evolve. Assist in preparing monthly accounts payable aging, accrual, and cash disbursement reports for the CFO. Support month-end and year-end close activities related to accounts payable, accruals, and grant expenditure reporting. Minimum Qualifications Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of two to three (2-3) years of accounts payable or general accounting experience. Working knowledge of accounts payable best practices, including invoice matching, coding, and internal controls. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and general ledger/ERP systems. High attention to detail and strong organizational skills. Preferred Qualifications Experience in Texas governmental or public sector accounting, including familiarity with public funds handling and open records requirements. Experience with grant-funded or federally assisted programs, including eligibility review of costs charged to grant or cooperative agreement funds. Experience with Oracle NetSuite or similar cloud ERP platforms. Familiarity with GSA-aligned travel and reimbursement policies. Core Competencies Competency Competency Attention to detail and accuracy Vendor and stakeholder communication Invoice coding and GL knowledge Deadline management across payment cycles Internal controls awareness Audit readiness and documentation standards ERP/accounting systems proficiency Adaptability in a small-team environment Conditions of Employment Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a comprehensive background screening, including criminal history, employment verification, and education verification. Pursuant to Section 9502.0203(b), Texas Special District Local Laws Code, an individual may not be employed by the District if, within the preceding 24 months, the individual had an interest in, was employed by, or was affiliated with a person who submitted a bid or entered into a contract for a District project. Must be authorized to work in the United States. Must maintain reliable transportation; occasional travel may be required. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. Retirement benefits through TCDRS (Texas County and District Retirement System). Group life insurance. Paid holidays per fiscal year. Paid vacation and sick leave accruing from date of hire. Paid parental leave. Professional development and training opportunities. The Gulf Coast Protection District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. GCPD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr