AR/AP Technician chez Oregon Metro

About the Department

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Accounting Division is looking for an Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable (AR/AP) Technician to support financial services across all Metro departments and venues. In this role, you’ll help keep operations running smoothly for a wide variety of programs and locations, including the Oregon Zoo, Oregon Convention Center, Portland'5 Centers for the Arts, Metro’s recycling and hazardous waste facilities, parks and nature areas, and more.

If you enjoy working with numbers, solving problems, and being part of a team that supports meaningful public services, we’d love to hear from you.

• Maintain financial accounts by accurately coding, processing, and posting payables and receivables.
• Prepare detailed revenue and expenditure reports, and balance/reconcile reports against actual income and expense input.
• Review financial records for accuracy and consistency; post and reconcile journals, ledgers, logs and any other records on a regular basis.
• Assign and process accounts payable based on documentation, invoices, contracts, and statements; generate invoices following established guidelines.
• Allocate revenue to general ledger accounts using spreadsheet techniques and journal entries to ensure proper financial tracking.
• Calculate, edit, post and verify financial data to produce regular or special reports summaries, and balances.
• Compile and classify data from multiple sources to create comprehensive summary reports as needed.
• Cross-check completed summaries against source documents, applying statistical formulas and calculations in accordance with established procedures.
• Organize and maintain records by determining appropriate file categories and logging all documentation accurately.
• Respond to inquiries from internal departments, suppliers, and the public, by providing accurate authorized information or refer to an appropriate contact for response.

Attributes for success

• Knowledge of double entry accounting principles and practices.
• General knowledge of governmental accounting or fund accounting practices.
• Ability to accurately apply fundamental accounting principles to the keeping of detailed account records and the preparation of financial reports utilizing spreadsheets and databases.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines and demands of peak season workloads.
• Ability to make arithmetic calculations rapidly and accurately.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Enjoys problem-solving and collaborating with a team and stakeholders.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.   

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• High school diploma or G.E.D, or the equivalent of two years of college or vocational courses in accounting and business; AND
• Two years of accounting experience applicable to the assigned area; OR
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid Telework

At this time, this position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. Based on the current business need, it would be at most 2 days a week on-site at the Metro Regional Center. With the likely days in the office to be Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. The manager will work with you to identify a schedule that balances the operational needs of the department and your needs. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Previous experience working in a public sector environment.
• Previous experience working with a large ERP system in a large organization (eg; PeopleSoft).
• Previous experience working with Momentus (formerly USI).

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• Attach a resume that includes the following details for each employer:
  • Name of employer 
  • Your title
  • Dates of employment; including if the work was full-time or part-time
  • Detailed summary of your responsibilities
• Responses to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1: $26.95 per hour to step 7: $36.16 per hour. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $26.95 per hour to the equity range step 4: $31.20 per hour.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME union. It is classified as an Accounting Technician II.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Megan Warneke

Email: [email protected]

Other Qualifications

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
 

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page. 

Government Jobs

For assistance with your account or to reset your password please visit GovernmentJobs "Help and Support" page.   

Metro 

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.