Accounting Assistant II (Multiple Vacancies)

Accounting Assistant II (Multiple Vacancies)

Salary

$55,692.00 - $78,372.00 Annually

Location

City of Santa Cruz, CA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

27-019

Department

Finance

Opening Date

09/24/2026

Closing Date

10/8/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

Effective the pay period that begins on September 26, 2026, the salary for all bargaining unit members shall be increased by an additional four percent (4.0%). This job posting has been updated to reflect this increase.

There are currently two vacant positions available for Accounting Assistant II in the Finance Department, one full-time and fully benefitted Limited-Term position and one full-time and fully benefitted Regular position. The Limited-Term position will be for up to a two-year duration, working 40 hours per week, and receive full benefits. The duration of the term may be extended, subject to approval. Under general supervision, the Accounting Assistant II performs specialized clerical accounting work and administrative duties within an assigned division of the Finance department or other department with complex accounting needs and performs other related duties as assigned.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular, Full-Time, Part-Time, Limited-Term, and Temporary Accounting Assistant II vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

The Accounting Assistant II will work out of the Finance Department offices located at 1200 Pacific Avenue, Suite 290 in Santa Cruz. Catch some epic surf or stroll our vibrant downtown on your lunch break. Enjoy the mountains and the ocean during your time off. It's great to work for the City of Santa Cruz!

Recruitment #27-019

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 10/08/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:

• Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.

• Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 10/12/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Applicants will be notified of their application status by 10/14/26.

• ONLINE SKILLS ASSESSMENT Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will receive a test link and instructions no later than 10/14/26 and will have one week from the date the link is provided to complete the required online skills assessment. Applicants with an overall score of 70% or higher on the assessment will be placed on the eligible list for any Accounting Assistant II vacancies during the life of the eligible list. Applicants with scores lower than 70% or not completing the assessment by the deadline will not be placed on the eligible list.

• Week of 10/26/26: Tested candidates will be notified of their results by 10/27/26. Qualified candidates who have successfully passed the skills assessment will have their applications competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications and supplemental questions by the Finance Department to determine candidates proceeding to interview.

• Weeks of 11/02 and 11/09/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Basic Function

Under general supervision, performs specialized clerical accounting work and administrative duties within an assigned division of the Finance department or other department with complex accounting needs and performs other related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the advanced level of the Accounting Assistant series. Positions in this class are distinguished from the Accounting Assistant I level by the greater complexity of the accounting work performed requiring knowledge of standard accounting principles and methods and substantive knowledge of City policies and procedures. The work requires the use of some independent judgment to determine the applicability of established accounting and administrative procedures and precedents to specific problems/cases. Accounting Assistant II positions generally have independent responsibility for a comprehensive account clerical function and may supervise lower level clerical positions.

Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to those duties listed below)

• Performs a variety of general bookkeeping and clerical accounting duties and responsibilities for assigned area.
• Uses various computer software packages, including financial, spreadsheet and word processing programs; enters and maintains data.
• Establishes, maintains, and balances a variety of records, logs, files and filing systems; verifies, balances, and adjusts accounting records; compiles and prepares various monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
• Serves as the primary contact and liaison for assigned functions and programs with other City staff, the general public and outside agencies and organizations; responds to phone calls, visitors, email, and mail; provides and responds to requests for information and assistance; assists the public and other City staff in interpreting and applying City policies, procedures, codes, and ordinances; researches and resolves complaints and problems.
• May compose correspondence, reports, and other documents as assigned.
• May coordinate projects and programs with other City divisions or departments as related to area of responsibility
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

In addition to the Typical Duties, for the assignment of Accounts Payable:

• Reviews invoices and credit card statements for completeness, accuracy and compliance with established regulations and procedures; processes invoices for payment via check or electronic payment; reissues checks.
• Performs a variety of accounts payable functions such as journal entries, withholdings, calculating and processing retention payments, reconciling vendor statements, and calculating and preparing tax reports and remittances.
• Processes stale dated checks following established procedure.

In addition to the Typical Duties, for the assignment of Revenue:

• Performs a variety of accounts receivable functions that may include posting daily revenues and creating journal entries, maintaining and reconciling payment records, initiating claims for City payments to outside agencies, creating and providing regular financial reports to other City departments, placing orders for City event change funds, setting up customer accounts, and implementing requested changes in city-wide cash receipting systems.
• Creates regular billings such as Resource Recovery Facility (RRF) invoices and accounts receivable customer statements. Performs credit checks, opens and maintains RRF customer charge accounts.
• Provides back-up support to other Accounting Assistants, the Accounting Technician and the Accounting Services Supervisor positions as needed.
• Processes payments by phone, mail, and in-person.

In addition to the Typical Duties, for the assignment of Public Works Maintenance Operations:

• Performs administration and maintenance of the fuel and equipment maintenance management systems, city wide UPS shipping and the Hazardous Waste program.
• Administration of citywide two way radio and pagers.
• Orders supplies, completes permit applications, automobile registration and tax forms.
• Creates and maintains purchase orders.
• Computes interdepartmental charge backs.
• Assembles annual budget documents and monitors expenditures.

Working Conditions

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience:

• High school graduation or tested equivalent; and
• Two (2) years of general clerical experience, at least one of which included accounting or bookkeeping responsibilities.

Knowledge:

• Standard accounting principles and practices.
• Modern office administrative principles and practices, including the use of standard office equipment.
• Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation.
• Computer software programs related to the work, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
• Business mathematics.
• Record keeping principles and practices.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• Principles and practices used in establishing and maintaining files and information retrieval systems.

Skills:

• Operate a 10-key calculator and type on a keyboard with speed and accuracy.

Abilities:

• Learn the operating procedures and policies of the division to which assigned.
• Make basic mathematical computations accurately.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Process detailed paperwork in accordance with specific procedures and policies.
• Effectively organize assigned tasks and work within deadlines.
• Interpret, apply, and explain administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
• Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in difficult customer relations situations.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.

Career Ladder

• Accounting Services Supervisor
• Accounting Technician
• Accounting Assistant II
• Accounting Assistant I

SALARY - This classification belongs to the Service bargaining unit. The current salary range for this position is posted on the City website. See the CITY OF SANTA CRUZ SERVICE EMPLOYEE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING on the City website for details on pay rates and practices.

UNION REPRESENTATION - This classification belongs to the Service Employees bargaining unit. All employees within this unit are represented by the Service Employees International Union.

APPOINTMENT - Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire to non-sedentary positions. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted, to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Candidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to regular positions are subject to a six-month probationary period (unless specified as 12-month by Service Employees MOU) which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

LEAVE

Vacation - 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.

Sick - 12 days/year

Holidays - up to 11 days/year

Floating Holidays - 24 hours per year - prorated for part-time

INSURANCE - (available to employee and eligible dependents)

Medical - Depends on plan selected; City generally pays 95% of the cost of coverage (pro-rated for part-time).

Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program - City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage (pro-rated for part-time). Plus an additional $29.50 per pay period.

Life - City provides a $20,000 life insurance policy.

Long Term Disability - City provides a long term disability plan.

RETIREMENT

All new regular employees become members of PERS. Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) 2% @ 62 (3 year average). Prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Employees contribute 9.75% of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis. An employee is vested after 5 years of membership. No Social Security is withheld.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (not all inclusive)

457 Deferred Compensation Plan

Accident Protection Insurance

Bilingual Pay if required by position

Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance

Direct Deposit

Discount Bus Pass Program

Flexible Spending Plans for Health & Dependent Care

Longevity Pay (after 10 years and 15 years)

In lieu Medical Reimbursement of $200 /month (if not participating in City offered Medical Plan)

Shift Differential

Supplemental Life Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

The information included in this listing is subject to change and does not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Leaves and most Insurance contributions are pro-rated for part-time benefited employees.

01

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: The following supplemental questions are designed to obtain specific information regarding your work experience. Please answer each question as thoroughly as possible, as your responses will be utilized to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. For applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, these responses may also be used as an evaluation tool in later stages of the competitive process to determine which applicants will be invited to continue in the examination process. All experience described here must correspond to employers listed in the Work Experience section of your application to receive credit. Please refrain from using AI or computer-generated responses. Applicants are responsible to clearly, completely, and accurately describe their qualifications. You may attach a resume, but this cannot be used in lieu of completing an application. Failure to complete all required questions and/or providing incomplete responses may result in an incomplete application. Do not answer any question with "see resume" and if you do not have any experience and/or education in a given area, please write "N/A."

• I acknowledge that I have read and understood these instructions

02

Do you possess a high school diploma or tested equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03

How many years of full-time general clerical experience do you have? Your selection must be supported by jobs listed in the Work Experience section of your application,

• More than five years
• At least four years but less than five years
• At least three years but less than four years
• At least two years but less than three years
• At least one year but less than two years
• Less than one year
• No experience

04

Please describe this general clerical experience in detail, the name of all employers where you performed this work, and your responsibilities. All experience listed here must relate back to your employment history above.

05

How many years of experience do you have with jobs where you have accounting or bookkeeping responsibilities?

• Two years or more
• At least one but less than two years
• Less than one year
• No experience

06

Describe the experience and knowledge you have of accounting principles and practices, for example accounts payable functions, accounts receivable functions, billings, and/or other specialized clerical accounting work.

07

Describe the computer experience you have in the area of clerical accounting, specifically the programs have you used and the volume of work. (For example, volume of invoices processed, journal entries, or other processing related to accounts payable, receivables, billings, invoicing, etc.)

Required Question

Employer City of Santa Cruz

Address 809 Center St.

Room 6

Santa Cruz, California, 95060

Phone 831-420-5040

Website http://www.cityofsantacruz.com