Fiscal Specialist 1 - Accounts Payable

The Opportunity: The Fiscal Specialist 1 will provide fiscal support in one or more fiscal related areas including Accounts Payable, travel, and procurement under the general supervision of the Associate Director of Business Office Operations. This position operates in a fast-paced environment, handling a high volume of incoming documents and performing a variety of fiscal functions. A meticulous, confident, and detail-oriented self-starter with prior fiscal experience, is desired. Strong customer service and computer skills are also essential for effectively working with vendors and college staff to resolve accounts payable items and other fiscal related issues.

This is a full-time, classified position working 40 hours per week. This position works in the Business Office on the main campus located in Mount Vernon, Washington.

The Location: Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People's, especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver, BC, SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation, urban arts scenes, and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, and centers in Friday Harbor, a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Mission: Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.

Vision: The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;

• Our Guiding Principles;

• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;

• The development of our employees;

• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

Guiding Principles: Respect, Integrity, Open and Honest Communication, Collaboration,

 and Compassion.

About SVC: Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) providing associates and bachelor's degrees, as well as certificates, in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, basic education for adults, and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTC's Vision statement; "Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities."

SVC's commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access, achievement, and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms, policies, and practices to foster the success of all.

SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics in the district, particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity-minded leadership, faculty, and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services.  Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply. Skagit Valley College offers:

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.

• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.

• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.

• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban, and urban lifestyles.

• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.

• Excellent benefits include competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

• Perform timely and accurate fiscal data entry in the College's automated financial management system (accounts payable, purchasing, travel);

• Review, process, and post business transactions including payment requests, vendor invoices, travel reimbursements, and journal entries;

• Prepare, compile, and provide fiscal reports needed for audits and year-end close;

• Maintain a record keeping system for recording budget transactions; 

• Review budget reports, verify accuracy and take corrective action if necessary; 

• Reconcile budget status reports and prepare expenditure projections; 

• Notify appropriate individual of any projected or actual over- or under-expenditures;

• Maintain and process travel expense records;

• Allocate travel expenses to appropriate budgets;

• Ensure all information is complete in order to process payments in compliance with College guidelines and policies;

• Perform a variety of accounts payable functions including price and quantity matching, and verifying receiving, account coding, and budget authorization;

• Interpret fiscal policies and procedures related to accounts payable;

• Respond to inquiries regarding payments for goods and services;

• Determine and apply applicable taxes to payments made;

• Maintain and modify fiscal record keeping systems, databases, and spreadsheets;

• Work collaboratively with Purchasing, Grants, and other College departments to ensure accounts payable and grant expenses are paid in a timely manner;

• Review and verify fiscal reports for accuracy; investigate and correct errors to ensure compliance with policies and procedures;

• Running queries within the CtC Link system;

• Assess asset status, needs, risks, goals and progress;

• Studies market trends to maximize profits and identify investment opportunities;

• Assist with filing of accounts payable documents; 

• Assist with the development of budgets for grant or program requests; may consult with funding agencies to resolve problems and interpret guidelines;

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge or understanding of:

• Skagit Valley College policies and procedures related to disbursements and expenditures;

• State of WA policies and procedures related to accounts payable;

• State and federal travel regulations;

• Generally accepted accounting principles to maintain accounts payable.

Skills:

• Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, or similar programs;

• Strong oral and written communication skills;

• Strong time management skills.

Ability to:

• Work with state agencies and the vendor regarding purchasing, materials management and fiscal operations;

• Analyze purchasing contracts and orders;

• Effectively organize multiple assignments;

• Work independently;

• Handle confidential information appropriately;

• Work effectively as a member of a team;

• Adapt easily to changing business needs, conditions and work responsibilities;

• Respond to difficult situations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School graduation or equivalent

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

• Two (2) years of fiscal record keeping experience.

OR

• Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with accounts payable;

• Education and/or experience in governmental or non-profit accounting;

• Knowledge of Washington State Technical and Community College's accounting systems and procedures.

• Experience working with PeopleSoft ERP System in receiving, expenses, and accounts payable modules.

• Salary is based on Range 41, Step A, $3,376 per month with periodic increments to $4,497 per month. Salary placement is typically made at the starting salary for the range. Placement higher in the range may be considered for qualifications and experience. Salary and benefits are subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates and collective bargaining agreements.

• This position is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.

• This is a union-represented position subject to a collective bargaining agreement.

• Retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.

Conditions of Employment:

• Prior to employment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant's current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe, and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.

• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.

• This classification is included in the classified staff bargaining unit, represented by the Washington Public Employees Association, WPEA.

Application Procedure:

To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications and;

• Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.eduthat includes the following:

• The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;

• A current resume; (Attachment: Resume)

• A cover letter addressing how your education and experience relate to the duties and responsibilities of the position (Attachment: Cover Letter).

In order to be considered for the position, you must complete the online application in full and attach the required supplemental documents. Failure to provide this information may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Application Deadline: Priority screening will begin after May 24, 2024.  Applications received on or before this date will receive first consideration. Applications received after the screening date may be considered until the position is filled.

Please be aware that the College hiring authorities reserve the right to hire one or more candidates and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted.

Application Assistance: If you have questions about the position or require special accommodation, you may contact Human Resources at (360) 416-7794, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.  SVC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may leave a TDD/TTY message at (360) 416-7718 by the application closing date.  Information on SVC's Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found at OPPM 3040.

For questions regarding the online application system, you may call NEOGOV Applicant Tech Support at (855) 524-5627 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. For best results, apply using one of the following browsers supported by NEOGOV: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and later versions of Internet Explorer.

SVC Annual Security Report: The U.S. Department of Education and the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all colleges to provide information to current and prospective students and employees about campus safety policies, procedures, and statistics on certain crimes, including hate crimes, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault.  We are required to report our campus security information and statistics in an Annual Security Report, which is updated annually each October.  All prospective employees may obtain a copy of the Annual Security Report from the Human Resources Office by calling (360) 416-7794 or by accessing the Report at: https://www.skagit.edu/about/safety-security-parking/

Skagit Valley College is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all groups in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices.

Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, age, marital status, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status in its programs and employment. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact Carolyn Tucker, Vice President of Human Resources/EEO, 360.416.7794 or carolyn.tucker@skagit.edu. For inquiries regarding sexual misconduct compliance, contact Title IX Coordinator, Sandy Jordan, 360.416.7923 or sandy.jordan@skagit.edu. Mailing address: 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.