Payroll Officer and Accounts Payable - Accounting Technician III

Please Note: The employment list from this posting may be used to fill other similarly situated positions in this class.About the Colorado Department of Local AffairsThe Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) serves as the primary interface between the State and local communities. The Department provides financial support to local communities and professional and technical services (including training and technical assistance) to community leaders in the areas of governance, housing, and property tax administration. While all state governments provide such services through various Departmental structures, Colorado’s approach is unique in that these local community services are gathered into one Department of “Local Affairs,” which has a central focus on strengthening Colorado communities and enhancing livability.VisionThe Department of Local Affairs is responsible for strengthening Colorado's local communities through accessible, affordable, and secure housing, implementation of property tax law, capacity building, strategic training, research, technical assistance, and funding to localities.MissionOur mission is to help strengthen Colorado’s communitiesWhy work for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs?The work we do matters greatly. It matters to us, and it matters to the citizens of the great state of Colorado. We love our community and are passionate about supporting our community. We value the diversity that Colorado offers. If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference in communities across the State, consider joining the dedicated people of the Department of Local Affairs.In addition, we offer a great location and great benefits, which include:• Medical and dental plans• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus pre-tax and ROTH 401K, and 457 plans• Employee wellness programs• Paid life insurance• Short and long-term disability coverage• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave• Free RTD EcoPass to all eligible State Employees• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs• Training opportunities, and more• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount ProgramPOSITION SUMMARY:Under the mission of DOLA and the Accounting and Financial Services Division, this position exists to plan and manage the daily operations of the administrative, payroll, and accounts payable functions for the Dept. of Local Affairs (the Department).PayrollThis position serves as backup payroll officer and will be well versed in the payroll duties, providing support and assistance as needed. Duties include organizing and maintaining the payroll system, arranging and prioritizing work in accordance with preset deadlines for processing of payroll and benefits set by the State's Central Payroll and Central Benefits Divisions, staying updated on State Fiscal Rules, CPPS procedures, applicable personnel rules and IRS regulations related to payroll processing and benefits administration, keeping abreast of changes/enhancements/upgrades to the Colorado Operations Resource Engine (CORE), CPPS, BenefitSolver (the State's benefits system), and responding to managers and departmental employees’ questions, concerns and issues regarding payroll and benefits. This position participates in maintaining the department's payroll filing system ensuring easy access to employees’ payroll files and payroll reports for employees, auditors, the budget officer, H.R., division directors, and the department’s Controller.Accounts PayableThis position provides customer service and technical accounting support for the department’s accounts payable, reviews and audits travel reimbursements, advises on accounting matters related to accounts payable, interprets State Fiscal Rules, assists with the reconciliation of account balances, requests warrant cancellations and reissues for processing by the State Controller's Office, processes unemployment insurance invoices, helps to monitor and reconcile central service billings, and maintains a procedure manual related to assigned tasks. This position is the primary contact for tasks related to W9, Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT), 1099 processing, and expired warrants. This position partners with Accounting and Financial Services (AFS) staff in order to keep employees informed regarding changes to existing HR and AP programs and provides training to Division Liaisons when/where applicable. Actions and results affect vendors, local governments, program managers, all division staff, and the department as a whole.AdministrativeManages incoming mail, manages ordering of supplies as needed, and maintenance of office equipment. This position is responsible for maintaining the central intake area, managing centralized filing systems, and maintaining oversight of the Accounting general email box. In this role, the position also acts in the Office Manager capacity for this section.Minimum Qualifications:Experience Only:Three years of experience in technical accounting which included accounts payable and receivable.OREducation and Experience:Bachelor's degree or credit from an accredited institution in accounting or auditing will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.Preferred Qualifications:• State of Colorado government experience in technical accounting;• Knowledge and experience with government accounting, cash management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and/or federal grant accounting;• Background in payroll and benefits processing or knowledge of payroll and benefits concepts.Required Skills and Competencies:• Ability to work in a team environment and provide technical assistance• Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders• Excellent interpersonal skills• Strong attention to detail• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills• Effective verbal and written communication skills• Ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the Department and meet deadlines• Proficiency with MS Office suite, specifically MS Excel• Ability to work independently• Excellent mathematical skillsConditions of Employment:• You MUST be a Colorado resident to apply for this position.• A pre-employment criminal and financial background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.How to Apply:Check out this video on how to apply with the State of Colorado jobsImportant Note: A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application. Therefore, it is extremely important that you clearly document your work experience/job duties portion of your online application and the extent to which you possess the education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement.It is also important to thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed), as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase.Only complete applications submitted by this announcement's closing date will be considered. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application being rejected.Your application will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications for the position. If your application demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to the comparative analysis process, which is described below.Comparative Analysis:Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis. The comparative analysis for this position will include a skills test to evaluate the skills required to perform the duties of this accounting technician position.The top six ranking candidates will then be invited for an interview.FOR CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF COLORADO:Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024, any State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification’s pay range based on completed years in their current class series as of June 30. All current and former State employees must ensure that your entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is indicated in your application so that your time-in-series can be calculated accurately.Supplemental InformationThe State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.DOLA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Joel Ferguson, DOLA ADA Coordinator at joel.ferguson@state.co.us.Email Address:All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email. Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time sensitive correspondence such as exam information or notification will take place via email. Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.Appeal Rights:If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination.Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb.A standard appeal form is available at www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.