Fiscal Specialist 1 - Travel

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

15h•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Olympia, WA office for a Fiscal Specialist 1 - Travel. This role is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented and enjoys working in a fast-paced environment. The position is part of the Office of Finance, Budget, and Economics (OFBE) and is a full-time, permanent, represented position (WPEA). Flexibility in work hours may be available.

Requirements

One (1) year of relevant experience in bookkeeping, accounting, budgeting, finance, or payroll.
Experience using a 10-key calculator or adding machine and accurate keyboard/typing skills.
Experience using computers and computer software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to focus and prioritize work to meet inflexible deadlines while managing regular interruptions.
Ability to maintain high levels of accuracy with a heavy workload, applying attention to detail in everyday tasks.
Consistent ability to effectively and respectfully communicate with coworkers and agency employees.
Ability to research, interpret, and explain OFM and DES requirements, WACs, RCWs, agency policies and procedures, fiscal controls, and other regulations.
Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention, and requests are followed.

Nice To Haves

College-level accounting courses.
Intermediate experience/proficiency using Microsoft Excel.
Knowledge of WA state or DNR accounts payable and travel processes.

Responsibilities

Provide guidance to DNR division employees on statewide and agency travel reimbursement claims processing and travel policies and procedures.
Train DNR division staff on travel processes and requirements for submitting a properly completed A20 Travel Voucher packet.
Independently interpret and ensure all travel payments are paid following the policies outlined in the Office of Financial Management’s State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM), Department of Enterprise Services (DES) purchasing guidelines, DNR policies and procedures, and statewide contracts.
Communicate with division staff to ensure all travel vouchers are complete and accurate for payment processing.
Audit, resolve discrepancies, correct, and process travel reimbursement payments, ensuring backup documentation supports the expenditure.
Identify potential changes to DNR’s Employee Guide to Travel, including changes occurring in OFM policies and Federal rules.
Verify the accuracy of invoice/expense packets for appropriate authorization and documentation, validate and make corrections as necessary regarding account coding, sales and use taxes, verify the presence of authorized signatures, etc.
Research and respond to customer/vendor questions or requests for documents or information.
Provide guidance to DNR division employees on accounts payable processes as they pertain to vendor payments and employee reimbursements, including training DNR division staff on payment processes and what is required for submitting a properly completed A-19, IPR, or A20 packet.
Provide interpretation and direction on the use of the agency's Chart of Accounts to ensure proper coding of expenditures and/or Expense Reports.
Record payment documents into FES using the appropriate accounting detail for all processed payments, which could include transaction code, account code (fund), expenditure authority (appropriation), program index, sub-object, sub-sub-object, organization code, trust code, project code, discounts, compensatory tax code (Comp Tax), and others.
Compile payment document packets and batches and submit to unit fiscal analysts for final review and payment approval.
Cross-train with and provide backup and support to the Credit Card Fiscal Specialist 1 position.
Complete fiscal year and biennium closing transactions to meet established DNR and OFM deadlines.
Prepare and interpret reports from the agency’s Financial Expenditure System (FES) and the DNR Reports Portal (DataMart).
Complete special assignments from the position’s chain of command, including, but not limited to, their direct supervisor (the Accounts Payable Principle Assistant), the Accounts Payable Supervisor, the Deputy Finance Manager, or the Agency Finance Manager.

Benefits

Commitment to organizational health and wellness
Work/life balance
DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups
Leadership that empowers and supports employees
Professional development opportunities
Educational and career development aid
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
Employer contributions toward health insurance
Paid holidays
Retirement plans
Sick leave
Vacation days