CDA - Fruit & Vegetable Accounting Technician

About the Department

Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animal--your life is touched by agriculture. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.

Mission:

The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment. 

CDA Wildly Important Goals:

To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on five "wildly important goals:"

• Goal 1: Expanding National and International Market Access

• Goal 2: Developing Agricultural Leaders

• Goal 3: Advancing the Colorado Water Plan

• Goal 4: Implementing the Beaver Strategy

• Goal 5: Providing Education on Animal Mistreatment and Livestock Theft

We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers. Learn more about our Department and our wildly important goals in our performance plan on our website.

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including aPERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans  (www.copera.org)
• Medical and dental health plans (https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com/)
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account ($60 per month)
• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
• Paid Short Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program State of Health
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more!

To learn about the total compensation package for State government employment visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/totalcompensation

Equal Opportunity

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

We believe 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 employment 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.

Position Duties

Organizational Purpose:

• Create external customer accounts receivable by sorting, batching, coding and entering documents into computer data base (currently 250 plus external customers).  
  
• Verify accuracy of data from printed reports which are balanced against batches created from custom computer software.  
  
• Input external customer data into computer program and make changes as needed based upon information gathered from external customer, written correspondence, inspector and/or management reports. 
  
• Create reports, summaries and lists for inspectors and management using (FVARP) data base program and Colorado Operations Resource Engine (CORE).  
  
• Create new and maintain existing inspection files.  
  
• Purge files in accordance with Fiscal Rules and Department policy.  
  
• Review files for specific requirements at request of program manager and/or USDA Federal Supervisor personnel.  Deficiencies encountered are documented, corrected and reported to management.        
  
• Create spreadsheets and documents for Business Operations division using Microsoft Excel software, access CDA Intranet program and CORE program to post results and ensure receivables are accounted for and disbursements are appropriate and verified.  Create aging reports and disburse statements to applicable external customers.  
  
• Monitor inspection contracts for accuracy.  
• Submit FV-218, FV-345, FV-346 data to United States Department of Agriculture (UDSA). Submit Good Agricultural Practices/Good Handling Practices (GAP/GHP) data to USDA and provide approved finalized data to external customers. 

• Setup new accounts creating computer and manual files.  
  
• Assign account numbers and verify new account information.  
  
• Prepare inspector files as required by policy and regulation.  
  
• Prepare mailing labels and employee labels for easy access to unit and time management.  
  
• Receive payments from external customers, either through mail or at the counter and apply to appropriate accounts in a timely fashion.  
  
• Research data on accounts as requested by external customers.  
  
• Balance and assemble checks received, deposit payments through Wells Fargo deposit program and code to appropriate cash funds, unit and department, submit to 
• Business Operations division for deposit.  
  
• Track for appropriate application to correct revenue account utilizing the CDA Intranet and CORE programs.  
  
• Document, verify and track internal revenue transfers through correspondence from Phytosanitary data, program log and CORE program.  
  
• Respond to inquiries on accounts receivable revenue by researching and evaluating accounts, documents and cash validations.  
  
• Compile data for budget and fiscal department, prepare revenue balance reports by researching, reviewing and collecting data from monthly reports and correspondence. 

• Order section supplies annually based on historical use and section requirements.  
  
• Accept incoming USDA orders and verify accuracy prior to payment and signature on receipt.  
  
• Submit through GAX documents in the CORE program, monthly expenditures of travel expenses for 34 plus employees, communications charges, postage charges and copy machine charges and verify appropriate postings to CORE program.  
  
• Monitor vendor payments utilizing vendor disbursement history.  
  
• Responsible for petty cash payments and accountability of cash box.

• Access program and input daily inspector timesheets, verify each daily slip for accuracy (average 27-40 employees).  
• Review timesheets for program manager weekly approval, authorized to approve in program manager's absence. 
• Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for section. 
• Document, log, balance and verify leave balances for all employees by keeping accurate manual leave folders to balance against electronic versions.  
• Notify, remind supervisors of use/lose leave balances for employees. Provide quarterly leave detail reports to all Fruit & Vegetable Inspection staff through UKG report.

• Access CORE program and prepare 27-40  GAX employee travel reimbursements requests twice monthly.  
• Document appropriate auto numbering attached to each document, scan documents to be included in cloud feature to assist auditors with comparisons.  
• Verify and submit telephone, copy machine and postage meter bills for payment.  
• Track and verify final approval and completed payments.  
• Verify and track proper postings of revenue and expenses to four separate Fruit & Vegetable Inspection revenue accounts.  
• Notify the Business Operations department of discrepancies and track corrections.  
• Monitor CORE program and provide requested revenue and expense reports to the program manager.  
• Create and maintain Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) for section. 

• Review phytosanitary certificates for appropriate documentation, assemble and forward information to Plants Division.  
• Log certificates sent against PCIT reports submitted monthly.  
• Verify PCIT monthly reports for accurate section revenue and track correspondence from Plants Division to Business Operations section.  
• Monitor CORE program for appropriate postings to respective revenue accounts.

• Receive inspection requests via telephone and respond by dispatching appropriate inspectors based on location and allocated dispatch time frames. 
• Create correspondence by compiling data and preparing appropriate forms, letters and documents.  
• Review and verify expense requests/cash receipt to disburse petty cash to recipients.  
• Compile petty cash documents for upper management approval and reimbursement from Business Operations department.  
• File and maintain section records as required by department policy.
  
• Greet and assist external customers at counter.  Provide research information for external customers upon request.        
• Work directly with internal/external customers in the department to provide excellent service to our customers (Cashier, Business Operations, Plants, CPAC, etc).  
• Perform employee orientations related to Fruit & Inspection office policies and functions. 
• Continue to self-educate and share knowledge with others to ensure smooth operations. 
• Perform custodial duties.
  
• Maintain preparedness procedures and files for an efficient and expedient exit from the workplace in the case of an emergency.

Minimum Qualifications

Position is not eligible for remote work, and must be willing to report to the office 5 days a week.

Skills-based Hiring:
This position is advertised in alignment with Executive Order 2022-015, Skills-Based Hiring. Recruitment for this position recognizes that skills can be developed through various pathways, including formal education, work experience, volunteering, self-directed learning, and other life experiences, opening doors to individuals from varied backgrounds. Those with relevant experience but without traditional credentials are welcome to apply!

• Two years of experience in technical accounting technical work 

• A combination of related education (accounting, finance, or other relevant degree) and/or experience that equals to 2 years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant years of state service
• GAAP Experience or Knowledge. 
• Experience in accounting for revenues and payroll. 

• Position is not eligible for remote work, and must be willing to report to the office 5 days a week.
• Must be a state resident of Colorado. 

• Financial Background and ability
• High integrity and knowledge of accounting principles. Clear understanding and experience in organic rules and certifications.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities, and able to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.

• Detail oriented.

• Excellent communication skills; able to communicate effectively and articulately in writing and orally with diverse communities in all corners of the state.

• Work well under pressure.

• Strong relationship management skills and excellent representation of the department in community interactions.

• A proven track record for developing and maintaining trusted relationships with stakeholders and industry experts.

• Excellent negotiation and consensus building skills.
• Proactive approaches to problem-solving and with strong decision-making capability.
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently.

• Online application (completed fully) describing how you meet the minimum qualifications
• OR If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application.  Paper applications must be received (either by US mail or email to [email protected] by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.
• DD214 (if applicable)
• Unofficial copy of transcripts (if applicable)

• Technical Competence – Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
• Depth and Breadth of Experience – Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement.  Experience should be varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement.
• Job Fit – Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position.  Current experience is preferred.

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. 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 ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: 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. Email address: [email protected]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

Other Qualifications

Benefits

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program.  Please click the following link for detailed information:  www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits 

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
 

Supplemental Questions

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Agency Information