Payroll Technician (Accounting Technician II)

Description Join one of the Inland Empire's Top Places to Work in this exceptional professional level opportunity in the Finance Department! At Western Water, we're looking for a journey-level Accounting Technician II dedicated to supporting finance and accounting functions to fill this position. We're searching for a professional to perform routine to moderate accounting and financial duties related to the processing of payroll, bank reconciliations, and maintaining other financial records, who is committed to excellence, can think creatively, and enjoys working with a dedicated group of professionals.

If you're a collaborative individual with strong interpersonal skills, then this is your opportunity to join an exceptional agency that provides essential water and wastewater services to western Riverside County.

Who We Are Western Water stands out:

• Western Water is one of the largest public agencies in Riverside County providing water and sewer services to nearly one million people through approximately 24,000 retail accounts and eight wholesale water agencies/cities.
• We see ourselves as more of a business than a bureaucracy.
• We view our customers as essential partners in ensuring long-term water reliability for our region; and
• Together, the Western Water team is focused on being the definitive leader in water and sewer services, upholding the highest level of stakeholder trust.

Western Water's vision is to integrate the best-in-business processes and business systems while developing a leading-edge workforce that continuously creates greater efficiency and value for our customers.

Western Water’s Values Include

• Service Excellence
• Efficiency
• Water Supply Reliability
• Fiscal Responsibility and Value
• Public Trust, Accountability and Transparency
• Environmental Stewardship
• Employee Empowerment
• Innovation

Are you looking to take your career to the next level at an agency committed to the vision and values above? If you have professional experience and skills focusing on the areas outlined in this announcement, we invite you to submit your interest to be considered for this position.

The Position Accounting Technician II is the journey-level class in the series. Incumbents are responsible for processing, reviewing, and reconciling various financial records of moderate difficulty and complexity, with the primary focus being Payroll Administration. In this role you will be responsible for processing the District’s bi-weekly payroll, review and approve reports as needed, excellent communication both verbally and written, oversee and calculate District employee benefits related to CalPERS, Empower, etc., Monitor District leave benefits, and additional duties as needed. Incumbents work under general supervision of the Accounting Services Supervisor while exercising independent judgment within established systems and procedures.

The Ideal Candidate Western Water is looking for a journey level Accounting Technician II with strong interpersonal skills to assist with day-to-day processing of payroll, bank reconciliations, benefit calculations & reporting, and the general ledger.

Serving customers is paramount to all that we do. For that reason, you must be responsive, collaborative and accountable to our internal and external customers, vendors, and agency partners.

Western Water expects you will build comprehensive knowledge and experience in financial and accounting processes that support a special district providing reliable water and sewer services to retail and wholesale customers throughout western Riverside County.

Strong organizational skills will be critical to your success, as are the abilities to learn, coordinate and assist the activities of the finance team. Highly qualified candidates must be able to work effectively both independently and as a collaborative team professional.

Personal Competencies/Characteristics

• A relationship-builder who is proactive in establishing and leveraging partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• A skilled professional with a heightened sense of emotional intelligence.
• Open, approachable, and action-oriented; exercises good judgment; treats others with respect.
• Collaborative approach to working with others; able to bring people together and leverage common interests to perpetuate the vision of Western.
• Outstanding communication skills with an internal and external customer-centric mindset.
• A self-starter who exhibits high initiative and a strong work ethic; embraces the opportunity to make a difference.

If you're ready to join a results-oriented team, able to see the bigger picture, have a heightened sense of emotional intelligence, and ready to learn about the finance and accounting related issues facing special districts--we'd love to hear from you.

Incumbents within the Accounting Technician series report to the Accounting Services Supervisor.

Western Water employees are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings and holidays as required to accommodate the agency needs, in addition to responding as a Disaster Emergency Service Worker.

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions The Accounting Technician II is the journey level class in the series. The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this classification. This includes the following:

• Performs a variety of technical work in the review and processing of financial records.
• Prepares, reviews, and processes the District’s bi-weekly payroll by entering transaction data and making payroll adjustments, including CalPERS contributions.
• Verifies and ensures payroll checks are calculated in accordance with legal requirements, District policies and procedures, and labor contract provisions.
• Maintains and reviews documents to ensure accuracy, examines supporting documentation to establish proper authorization and conformance with District policies, agreements, contracts, and state and federal requirements.
• Monitors Western Water's leave benefits by running and auditing various reports to track accruals and usage. Produces and distributes reports to District management.
• Prepares and processes journal entries related to Payroll or Payroll reconciliation.
• Prepares and processes monthly bank reconciliations.

Typical Qualifications Ability to:

• Understanding of governmental accounting practices, as applied to municipal organizations.
• Demonstrate consistent accuracy and timeliness of work products.
• Math and mathematical reasoning.
• Knowledge of the basic chart of accounts structure.
• Adherence to Western Water's personnel rules, policies and labor contract provisions with the ability to exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Provide transparent, high quality and fiscally responsible services, while meeting the needs of Western and its customers.
• Adhere to office procedures including record management policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with Western Water's record retention policy.
• Utilize exceptional customer service and communication skills both verbally and in writing, with the ability to cultivate professional business partnerships and inspire team collaboration.
• Use modern office equipment including computer software applications related to the field of work. Highly proficient in Microsoft Office products including Excel, Word, Outlook.
• Proper English usage, punctuation, grammar, and spelling.
• Tracks, processes, and maintains numerous documents where accuracy and detail are critical.
• Receives and responds, both verbally and in writing, to routine inquiries from District personnel and outside organizations.
• Explain key processes and business requirements within the department, specifically payroll.
• Ability to work independently with general supervision.

Experience, Education, And Licensing/Certification Any combination of experience and education that provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, along with the specific licenses/certifications as outlined below:

Job TitleEducation Required/Desired Experience Accounting Technician II

~ Equivalent to High School Diploma

~ Associate's degree in accounting or related field may substitute for one year of experience.

4 years of progressive responsibilities in an accounting/payroll environment.

Desired : Governmental agency accounting experience in payroll processing. Experience using ADP Human Capital Management (HCM) systems, including payroll support, time and attendance, and reporting is highly desirable.

Required License / Certification Desired Licenses/Certifications CA Class C Driver's License

Supplemental Information

Physical, Mental, And Environmental Requirements The characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical: Employees are regularly required to use repetitive motion for keyboard use and writing; frequently grasp, reach overhead, hold and reach; sit for long periods of time; occasionally walk, use staircases, stand, kneel, stoop and bend; occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds or 60 pounds with assistance; constantly use overall vision; and frequently hear and talk, in person and on the phone.

Mental: Employees should possess the ability to speak, read, and write English, in addition to exercising math and computer aptitude as required. Employees work under pressure with frequent interruptions while communicating and interacting with a variety of Western Water personnel, the public, and others encountered in the course of work. The ability to explain, interpret, and apply related rules, regulations, policies and procedures; and work on multiple concurrent assignments, often within tight timeframes using good business judgment is necessary.

Environmental: Employees primarily work in a temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and settings. Incumbents are expected to use principles of effective safety practices including the use of equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintaining safe personal and common workspaces.

Western is a tobacco free campus prohibiting smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and unregulated nicotine products in any Western Water vehicle and building, which includes any building owned and occupied, or leased and occupied, by Western Water, including, Headquarters, the Operations Center, and any remote facilities owned, leased and/or operated by Western Water.

Health And Welfare Benefits Notice: Benefits listed below assume full-time regular status.

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in these benefits effective the first of the month following date of hire. Effective January 1, 2026, Western Water contributes up to $2,992.11 toward the cost of medical, dental and vision insurance. Employees will pay any costs exceeding this amount through bi-weekly pre-tax payroll deduction. Employees may choose between four medical plans--Anthem Blue Cross California Care (HMO), Anthem Blue Cross Prudent Buyer Advantage (PPO 500), Anthem Blue Cross Prudent Buyer Classic (PPO 200) or Kaiser Permanente (HMO). There are two dental plans to choose from--DeltaCare (DMO) and Delta Dental (PPO). The Standard provides us with two vision options, Vision Service Plan (VSP) or EyeMed.

Opting Out of Medical Coverage Employees with medical insurance through another provider can opt out of Western Water's medical plan. By opting out, employees will receive a flat monthly rate of $690. Proof of other coverage is required on an annual basis during the open enrollment period. Employee must enroll in a dental plan and the vision plan. Enrollment for eligible dependents, in these plans, is optional.

Flexible Spending Effective the first of the month following date of hire, employee may participate in the flexible spending plan. This plan provides you the opportunity to pay for certain medical, dental, vision and childcare expenses with pre-tax dollars resulting in substantial tax savings.

Life Insurance This benefit is provided by the District through Lincoln Financial Group ("Lincoln") and is effective the first of the month following your date of hire. You are provided with up to $50,000 in life insurance for you and $1,000 for your eligible dependents.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) This benefit is for the employee only and is provided by the district through Lincoln. AD&D is effective the first of the month following the date of hire and provides payment for specified losses sustained through dismembering or fatal accidents. The maximum amount of AD&D insurance is equal to the amount of life insurance.

Supplemental Life Insurance Effective the first of the month following the date of hire and employees may purchase supplemental life insurance for employee and eligible dependents through Lincoln. This supplemental life insurance provides a guaranteed issue amount for employees up to $150,000, up to $30,000 for a spouse and $10,000 for child(ren).

Short Term Disability Western Water provides short term disability (STD) insurance through Lincoln. Coverage is effective on the first (1st) of the month following six (6) months of consecutive employment. STD benefits begin on the 1st day of disability for an accident or 8th day of disability for an illness and provide up to 60% of your base salary.

Long Term Disability Western Water provides long term disability insurance through Lincoln. Coverage is effective on the first (1st) of the month following six (6) months of consecutive employment. LTD benefits begin on the 91st calendar day of a medically certified disability and provide up to 60% of your base salary.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Administered by Lincoln’s EmployeeConnect , the EAP assists in dealing with problems affecting an employee’s personal life and/or job performance. Use of this benefit, paid 100% by the district for up to five meetings with EAP staff, is strictly confidential. Other services provided through Lincoln’s EmployeeConnect EAP are referrals or advice on topics such as legal consultation, parenting, senior care, childcare, pet care, and healthy rewards.

Retirement Benefits Deferred Compensation 457(b) Employees may participate in a Deferred Compensation Program (457(b) Plan) to save toward retirement and, at the same time, reduce bi-weekly taxable income.

401(a) Retirement Plan Western Water contributes into a 401(a) Retirement Plan for those employees covered under the Confidential unit (COU). Contributions, in the amount of 2% of base pay, are made on a bi-weekly basis. Eligible employees are 100% vested in this benefit upon date of hire.

California Public Employees Retirement System Western Water contracts with the State of California Public Employees Retirement System ("CalPERS") for employee retirement benefits. New employees, who are hired on or after December 16, 2012, and who formerly worked for another PERS agency, or an agency with a reciprocal retirement system, and who meet certain eligibility requirements, shall be enrolled in the 2% at 55 PERS retirement plan. These employees will be obligated to pay the 7% employee contribution rate. The 2% at 55 retirement plan shall provide for benefits based on the highest three-year average salary.

Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, who are defined as "New Members" by California law (essentially those individuals who have not previously been a member of a public agency retirement system) shall be enrolled in the statutorily required 2% at 62 PERS retirement plan. New Members will be obligated to pay 50% of the "normal cost" of their retirement benefits as required by State law (Currently 7.75% of base pay). The 2% at 62 retirement plan shall provide for benefits based on the highest three-year average salary.

Retiree Medical Upon retirement from the district, eligible employees may be entitled to lifetime retiree medical benefits. Refer to the Employee Association (MOU) or Management/Professional/Confidential unit (COU) for detailed information on the vesting schedule for this retirement benefit.

Social Security and Medicare As an employee of Western Water, you pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. Western Water pays the same Social Security and Medicare tax, dollar for dollar, on your behalf.

Compensation Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) Western Water provides all employees an annual cost of living adjustment. Details of the cost-of-living adjustment are provided in the Employee Association (MOU) or Management/Professional/Confidential unit (COU) agreements.

Longevity Pay Western Water provides longevity pay to certain employees who have completed five or more years of continuous service. Refer to the Employee Association (MOU) or Management/Professional/Confidential unit (COU) agreements for detailed criteria and amounts of longevity pay.

PAID TIME OFF Vacation During the first four (4) years of employment, vacation is accrued at the rate of 3.08 hours per pay period. This is equivalent to 10 days per year. During the fifth (5th) through ninth (9th) years, accrual is 4.62 hours per pay period and during the tenth (10th) and subsequent years, accrual is 6.16 hours per pay period. These are equivalent to 15 days and 20 days per year, respectively. Vacation can be used after the completion of the probationary period. The maximum vacation accrual is 480 hours. In addition, eligible employees may cash out up to a maximum of eighty (80) hours of your accrued vacation time, once per calendar year, provided the employee has have no less than eighty (80) hours remaining following the cash out.

Holidays After two full work weeks of employment, new employees receive pay, at their current straight time hourly rate, for Ten (10) holidays. Those holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

After completion of the probationary period, employees may take three (3) additional workdays per fiscal year as "floating holidays". These holidays are taken at your discretion, in full day increments, and are subject to approval by the supervisor/manager. Floating holidays not taken during the fiscal year are converted to vacation time for each unused floating holiday.

Sick Leave Full-time employees accrue 96 hours of sick leave per year. After completing a full calendar year of employment and using no more than eighteen (18) hours of sick leave during said calendar year, you may be compensated for up to forty (40) hours of accrued sick leave at your then current rate of pay. Sick leave can be used after 90 calendar days of employment and shall be cumulative to a maximum of 1,600 hours. Sick leave is paid on a specific scale upon termination of employment.

Administrative Leave After completion of the probationary period, employees covered by the Management/Professional/Confidential unit (COU) receive thirty-two (32) hours for non-exempt and forty (40) hours for exempt positions of paid administrative leave. Administrative leave hours not taken during the fiscal year are converted hour-for-hour to vacation time hours.

Additional Benefits 9/80 work schedule, Educational Assistance (subject to available budgeted funds), Certification Reimbursement Program and Interest-Free Computer Loan Program.

• To review the full agreements between the Employee Association (MOU) and Confidential unit (COU) with Western Water please use the following links:
• MOU
• COU

01

Describe your experience processing payroll. Include the size of the agency, frequency of processing, payroll systems used, and your specific responsibilities.

02

How many years of experience do you have relating to payroll compliance? Please describe your experiences, relating to governmental tax compliance, such as overtime, mileage reimbursement, and vacation cash out rules.

03

Describe your experience using payroll data to support general ledger accounting, reporting and analysis. Include any experience preparing or reviewing payroll related journal entries, reconciling payroll expenses and liabilities to the general ledger, and identifying or resolving variances or data discrepancies. Please identify the systems, or tools used.

04

Describe your experience preparing, reviewing, and submitting payroll and member data to CalPERS, including the types of CalPERS reporting activities performed, experience resolving reporting errors, adjustments, and member discrepancies.

• Required Question