Financial Specialist

CHICO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCIAL SPECIALIST
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR Starting Salary: $24.96/Hour
OPEN AND PROMOTIONAL COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION Salary Range: $24.96/hr. to $38.72/hr.
Salary Placement--Employment is at the first step for new employees. The Human Resources Office determines promotional employees’ step placement.
GENERAL INFORMATION & INSTRUCTIONS:
A. Apply on-line at www.edjoin.org or pick up a job announcement and instructions on how to apply on-line in the lobby of CUSD Administration Building, 1163 E. 7th Street, Chico, CA.
B. Read the job announcement prior to completing the application form.
C. To claim Veterans’ credit on open entry-level exams, you must submit a copy of your DD214. Those claiming disability Veterans’ credit must include evidence of current receipt of disability benefit by the closing date for filing applications.
D. KEEP THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT! If you have not received mailed notification for any part of the exam by the day prior to the date announced, call the Classified Human Resources Office at (530) 891-3000, extension 20185.
E. Complete all parts of the application. Any requested attachments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications are not accepted.

THE POSITION - The District is establishing an eligible list for FINANCIAL SPECIALIST. The eligible list resulting from this recruitment will be used to fill openings in this classification for up to 6 months. Substitutes to work on an on-call, as needed basis for regular employees will be selected from the established eligible list. Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities to meet the minimum requirements would be: Two years of experience in payroll operations, preferably in a public sector environment; two years of increasingly responsible experience in the maintenance of financial or statistical records, preferably including some experience in the specific area of assignment; equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training or course work in accounting, financial record keeping, or a related field; AA/AS degree or higher with focus in accounting; additional appropriate college level coursework; ability to operate 10-key by touch and ability to type or operate a keyboard at a level proficient for successful job performance. All persons interested in this position and who meet job related and essential qualifications are encouraged to apply. Top qualifying candidates will be invited to the written exam. The District will determine the top candidates based solely on the information submitted on the application. CUSD is an affirmative action employer and will not discriminate against employees or discriminate in employment of classified personnel with regard to age, ancestry, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, military and veteran status, national origin, physical disability, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, race, religious creed, sex, or sexual orientation of any person. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION - The examination consists of an evaluation of the application for experience and education that pertains to essential duties and qualifications. The top qualifying candidates will be invited to continue the exam process. The District will determine the top candidates based solely on the information submitted on the application. The examination will consist of a written test designed to test job related and essential qualifications, weighted 40%; and an oral exam (personal interview) which tests the knowledge and experience needed to perform the typical duties, weighted 60%. Successful promotional candidates will have ¼ point added to the final score for each year of service up to a maximum of 6 points.

APPLICATION/EXAMINATION DATES & CERTIFICATION
a. Closing date for filing applications: Friday, May 15, 2026 12:00 p.m.
b. Date of written exam Friday, May 22, 2026 (during the day)
c. Date of oral exam (personal interview): Friday, May 29, 2026 (during the day)
d. Certification shall be according to Merit System §1507.
e. Selection interviews will be scheduled as needed following the exam process.

JOB DESCRIPTION INFORMATION
DEFINITION
This position under general supervision performs a variety of clerical accounting duties involved in the developing, processing, and maintaining of financial records, including in the areas of payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. One of the primary functions will be the generation, collection, auditing, coding, and processing of time cards and extra assignment sheets. Additional functions include absence tracking, handling employee deductions, and responding to informational requests. This position requires considerable discretion, professionalism, initiative, accuracy, attention to detail, organizational skills, ability to multitask within strict timelines, and effective communication skills.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
May exercise technical and functional supervision over student assistants.
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Processing of payrolls including data collection, time card verification, audit hours, vacation, sick leave, and workers’ compensation including the coding of payroll.
• Balance payroll comparing inputs with outputs; audit final payroll and distribute.
• Act as internal consultant/support to management and staff on issues of payroll and accounts payable and receivable.
• Receive calls, visitors and mail; respond to complaints and requests for information.
• Ensure all sites have correctly completed and sent in their documents by the payroll deadlines.
• Validating absence tracking documents versus generated extra assignment sheets.
• Checking personal leave balances before allowing payment for time not worked.
• Participate in coordinating, organizing, and maintaining the workflow of the payroll/fiscal services department and provide training to assigned staff.
• Respond to and assist in resolving difficult and sensitive requests; apply policies, including District and Bargaining Unit policies; procedures and employee contracts; work with district and site personnel concerning contract sections and employee reporting.
• Maintain payroll/fiscal information system records and generate reports as needed; examine and correct accounting transactions to ensure accuracy; prepare journal vouchers to adjust and correct errors in accounting records; participate in the preparation and recording of journal entries with appropriate supporting information.
• Process accounts payable documents on a timely basis; evaluate and check invoices against purchase orders to ascertain relative charges; analyze and assign correct account classification and vendor codes; compute extensions and prepare invoices for payment; prepare warrants; file checks; mail checks to payees.
• Receive, code, post, and monitor accounts receivable records; process incoming checks.
• Monitor and balance various accounts verifying availability of funds and classification of expenditures; research and analyze transactions to resolve problems.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
• Principles, procedures, methods, practices, and terminology used in payroll and financial record keeping.
• Methods and techniques of data collection, analysis, and report preparation.
• Mathematical principles.
• Intermediate level MS Office Suite or equivalent.
• Federal and state Labor Law, Ed Code, Butte County and CUSD employment policies.
• Collective Bargaining Agreements and Merit System Rules.
Skill to:
• Operate 10-key by touch.
• Create documents, databases, spreadsheets, and reports using MS Office Suite.
• Type or operate a keyboard at a level proficient for successful job performance.
Chico Unified School District
Financial Specialist cont’d
PC – October 2021
• Enter data and create reports using payroll information systems.
• Conduct and interpret research on pay related topics.
Ability to:
• Demonstrate exceptional customer service and respond to requests and inquiries for information regarding payroll.
• Multitask in a timeline driven environment.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee information.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and exercise sound judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Perform mathematical computations quickly and accurately.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision
• Work effectively and efficiently under pressure with constant interruptions.
• Maintain a professional environment within the office and district.
• Stay abreast of changes with employees, employment contracts, labor law, or other factors that may impact this function.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities could be found in the following areas:
Experience:
• Two years’ experience in payroll operations, preferably in a public sector environment.
• Two years of increasingly responsible experience in the maintenance of financial or statistical records, preferably including some experience in the specific area of assignment.
Training:
• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training or course work in accounting, financial record keeping, or a related field.
Education:
• AA/AS degree or higher with focus in accounting.
• Additional appropriate college level coursework.
Special Requirements:
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
• This type of work requires occasional or frequent standing, walking, sitting, and reaching for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work in a standard office environment.
• Ability to sit at a desk, conference table, or in meeting rooms of various configurations for extended periods of time.
• Facility to see and read, with or without vision aids, a computer screen and printed matter, and to distinguish colors.
• Sufficient hearing to understand speech at normal room levels, and to hear and understand speech on the telephone.
• Manual dexterity to operate a telephone and enter data into a computer using both hands.
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation and on the telephone.
• Ability to exert up to 20 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Ability to work overtime on evenings and weekends, as needed.


EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION FOR BARGAINING UNIT CLASSIFICATIONS
The following employment information is a summary and is not intended to be all-inclusive. For specific details, see the Agreement between Chico Unified School District and the Chico Chapter #110, CSEA. Vacation Credit shall be accrued 1 day/month for 0 4 full years of service. Beyond 4 years refer to agreement. Each employee who is in a paid status less than 1/2 of the workdays in any month shall accrue 1/2 of a full month's vacation credit. Each employee in a paid status for 1/2 or more of the workdays in any month shall accrue a full month's vacation credit. Holidays: Employees in a paid status the day before or after the holiday are entitled to holiday pay. Health and Welfare Benefits: Full-time employees of the District receive up to $1,360/month to be applied towards a health plan for themselves and dependents. Part-time employees are eligible with the cost pro-rated based upon hours worked. The District pays $113 toward the cost of the dental, and $19 toward the cost of the vision plan for employees (and dependents) that work 6 hours or more per day. Any employee working less than 6 hours may elect dental and/or vision coverage at his/her cost. A term life insurance plan is also provided by the District to full-time employees and is available for part-time employees. Part-time employees may have these costs pro-rated based upon hours worked. Dependents may be covered with term insurance at employee expense. Income protection insurance is paid by the District for all bargaining unit positions. Sick Leave: One day of sick leave is earned for each month worked, with unlimited accumulation. Probationary Period: All employees must serve a probationary period of six months in any classification for which they are hired, or which they transfer or promote into. Retirement: All employees assigned 4 or more hours/day must join Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) for which a deduction is made from their salary. Social Security: All classified employees are covered by Social Security and must contribute to the Social Security system. Credit Unions: There are credit unions available for membership by all classified employees.

Questions, contact: CUSD, 1163 E. 7th St., Chico, CA 95928 (530) 891 3221 – TTY (530) 895-4030
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER JOB LINE = 530-891-3000 & PRESS 5-6