Salary: $30.12 Hourly
Location : Okanogan County - Okanogan, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2024-OCD FA
Department: Okanogan Conservation District
Opening Date: 11/07/2024
Description
Location Office located in Okanogan, Washington, with travel throughout Okanogan County
Wages Starting wage at $30.12 per hour, DOE with opportunity for merit and COLA increases
Benefits Medical and vision insurance, Washington State Retirement (PERS), vacation leave, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year.
Closing Open until filled, first review December 2, 2024.
About Us
The Okanogan Conservation District (CD) is a dynamic organization comprised of volunteer board members and paid staff that are leaders in "on-the-ground conservation". The district's mission is to help cooperating land managers in Okanogan County achieve their conservation goals by:

• Working cooperatively with private landowners and stakeholders to encourage wise stewardship and land-management decisions.
• Providing locally led, voluntary, non-regulatory solutions to local environmental problems.
• Advocating for high-priority resource concerns facing Okanogan County.
• Educating adults and youth on environmental and natural resources issues in our community.

Okanogan CD is a small team of dedicated staff focused on building programs, providing technical assistance, and cost-share opportunities that serve the community and natural resources in Okanogan County. Okanogan CD values teamwork, locally led natural resource management, creative solutions, and voluntary conservation. Okanogan CD encourages a positive work/life balance and flexible schedules. A partial remote schedule will be considered when appropriate.
Description
Okanogan CD is seeking a highly motivated, detail oriented, and skilled individual to join the district as a Finance Assistant focused on supporting district operations by assisting with financial operations, processing payments, and maintaining compliance with fiscal regulations. Current priority projects include
• Assisting with check receipting, grant vouchering, payroll, payroll taxes, grant administration, reconciling accounts, and processing deposits.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly grant vouchers, manage appropriate grant financial records and documentation, and track grant budgets.
• Assist with ensuring district financial compliance with applicable laws and policies, preparing reports to regulatory entities, and supporting internal audit processes.
Duties
Typical Work
The Finance Assistant works cooperatively with district staff and funding agencies to process grant vouchers, maintain financial and administrative documentation, and prepare financial reports. The Finance Assistant's work is primarily focused upon supporting other conservation district employees in the processing and documentation of financial and administrative processes and reports.
Qualifications
Required Knowledge and Skills
• Possess a bachelor's degree in accounting, business, administration, or closely related fields; plus, four years of progressive responsibility in accounting, grant administration, and payroll. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted year for year for education requirements.
• Exhibit excellent oral, written, and graphic communication skills.
• Be self-motivated, organized, detailed, able to work efficiently, ethically, and honestly.
• Possess demonstrable experience working positively and successfully with individuals one-on-one and in group settings.
• Willingness to take direction from and able to support colleagues and partner agencies with projects.
• Become familiar with the WA State Auditor's Office BARS accounting method.
• Possess moderate to advanced Microsoft Office 365 and Adobe Acrobat software skills, and ability to use and learn other software.
• Ability to perform high-speed 10-key entry with minimal errors, ensuring accurate input of financial, statistical, or inventory-related data.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and responsibilities, manage time efficiently, and meet deadlines related to work goals set by the Finance Director.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, files, timekeeping, and documentation of authorized expenses.
• Ability to work closely, cooperatively, and in a non-confrontational manner with others in a public office environment.
• Have or obtain and maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License and able to safely operate a motor vehicle.
Preferred Knowledge and Skills
• Experience and knowledge in governmental agency accounting, BARS coding, grant management, and State of Washington records retention is desirable.
• Have work experience in community collaboration, general education, natural resource management, public relations, or similar field.
• Basic knowledge of a broad range of natural resource conservation issues, terminology, and best management practices.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with Latino populations.
Supplemental Information
Compensation
This non-exempt (FLSA) position's beginning hourly wage is $30.12 (Range 57, Step A) depending upon experience. This position is eligible for vacation leave, sick leave, medical benefits, 11 paid holidays per year, and Washington State DRS retirement benefits. Terms of compensation and benefits are set by the position appointment letter and may be amended at any time by the Board of Supervisors.
Service Area
Okanogan County is for the adventurous! Our area is well-known for superb recreational opportunities and activities for every season, owing in part to an abundance of public land. Fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, and horseback riding are just a few sports enjoyed by locals and visitors. Our scenic highways will take you from the snow-capped mountains of the North Cascades to the open spaces of river valleys along the Okanogan, Methow, Similkameen, and Columbia rivers. There is something for everyone in Okanogan County.
Residents of Okanogan County maintain an independent spirit and a sense of community pride. Our county was named one of the best counties in Washington state to raise a family in 2022 by Stacker.com. Top places to live, according to Stacker, include Okanogan, Omak, and Winthrop.
Exploring Okanogan's history is a favorite past time for many. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation boundaries lie within Okanogan County and the area is rich with cultural significance for our first people. Early European settlers came to Okanogan during the 1800s to establish cattle and sheep ranching, and to mine for gold. Several ghost towns and mining operations from the early days still stand. Today, Okanogan County's economic base is largely agricultural supported by apple, pear and stone fruit orchards. Cattle ranching remains the dominant livestock industry and family spreads can be found throughout the county.
Application Deadline and Instructions
This position is open until filled. First review of applicants is 12:00 PM, November 22, 2024. Detailed position descriptions are available on the district website at
Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and three references (at least two of which are professional) through our online application website at .
Or by mail to:
Okanogan Conservation District
1251 2nd Ave. South, Room 102
Okanogan, WA 98840
The Okanogan Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022