Fiscal Officer I

The Fiscal Officer I at Blair County Department of Social Services is primarily responsible for managing the accounting for all program transactions funded through Social Services revenue streams. This includes ensuring compliance with federal, state, and county requirements, as well as monitoring sub-recipients to guarantee they meet regulations. You will also be tasked with ensuring timely and accurate reimbursements for services rendered to county residents.

To qualify for the Fiscal Officer I position at Blair County, candidates must have specific accounting and budgetary experience. This can include two years as a Fiscal Technician with six college credits in accounting, one year of relevant experience paired with a business-related bachelor’s degree, or three years of experience with an associate's degree. Alternatively, applicants can have five years of bookkeeping experience supplemented by six college credits in accounting or a combination of experience and education meeting these requirements.

The starting salary for a Fiscal Officer I role at Blair County is $57,319.50 for a 35-hour workweek. This competitive salary is just one component of the excellent benefits package offered to employees, which includes healthcare, a pension plan, paid holidays, and more.

The standard working hours for the Fiscal Officer I position at Blair County Department of Social Services are full-time, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with a one-hour lunch break. This schedule allows for a balanced work-life dynamic, keeping your weekends and evenings free.

Interested candidates can apply for the Fiscal Officer I position at Blair County through the state Civil Service system. A link to the application portal is provided in the job description, which outlines the qualifications and application steps. Make sure to check your email, including spam folders, for any communication regarding your application.

Candidates should provide specific examples of their previous roles managing financial operations, outlining how they ensured compliance with regulations and monitored financial transactions. Highlight any relevant software or systems you have used to manage budgets and accounting.

Prepare to explain your understanding of federal, state, and county requirements for social service funding and reimbursement processes. Discuss how you have kept updated on compliance, using examples from past roles that may pertain directly to the Fiscal Officer I position.

Discuss strategies you've employed to maintain accuracy, such as double-checking entries, implementing checks and balances, and utilizing accounting software. Share instances when you identified or resolved discrepancies and the steps taken to prevent future issues.

Explain your problem-solving process when facing discrepancies, emphasizing your analytical skills. Detail how you investigate issues, communicate with relevant stakeholders, and implement corrective measures to ensure accuracy moving forward.

If you have experience managing teams or collaborating with multiple departments, provide examples of your leadership style, communication strategies, and how you ensure that project timelines and goals are met collaboratively.

Describe the organizational tools and methods you use to manage various projects—whether they involve spreadsheets, project management software, or specific methodologies. Providing examples of how you have successfully tracked projects in previous roles can be beneficial.

Discuss your passion for community service and fiscal responsibility, emphasizing any personal connections to social services. Share your desire to ensure effective use of funds to benefit the community and improve services.

Talk about your strategies for evaluating and identifying funding sources while ensuring compliance with regulations. Highlight the importance of communication with stakeholders and fiscal planning to address funding challenges effectively.

Share a specific example of a financial process you streamlined, explaining the problem, your approach, and the results. Focus on metrics and improvements in efficiency or accuracy to demonstrate your impact.

Discuss your communication style when working with vendors and sub-recipients, emphasizing clarity and consistency. Explain how you document communications and keep records to avoid misunderstandings, ensuring partnerships run smoothly.