Description

PROMOTIONAL/INTERNAL POSTING - FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF VALLEY WATER ONLY.

NOTE Regarding Salary: A 4.5% ABSA – Across the Board Salary Adjustment will apply as of 6/22/26.

Overview:

The Accountant II performs complex professional accounting work in support of Valley Water’s centralized accounting functions, including payroll processing, financial reporting, account reconciliations, and other specialized accounting activities. This position plays a key role in maintaining the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of financial and payroll data while supporting critical business operations. The Accountant II provides exceptional customer service while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, internal controls, and accounting standards. Working independently with minimal supervision, the incumbent must effectively manage multiple priorities, meet strict deadlines, and support the ongoing operation and improvement of financial and payroll systems.

Our Commitment:
We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Process and reconcile bi-weekly payroll transactions, leave accruals, deductions, and related accounting activities.
Prepare, analyze, and reconcile financial records, general ledger accounts, fixed assets, and financial reports.
Support administration, maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting of ERP and financial systems, including payroll and HR-related modules.
Perform data validation, monitoring, and system audits to ensure data integrity, regulatory compliance, and effective internal controls.
Develop reports, analyze financial and payroll data, respond to inquiries, and provide technical support and training to staff and end users.
Participate in system implementations, upgrades, process improvements, and other special projects to enhance operational efficiency.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

4+ years of experience in professional accounting, specifically in the area of payroll functions such as payroll/GL reconciliations, remitting state and federal taxes, and employee/employer contributions to retirement funds.
Experience in financial and payroll processes.
Experience working with and supporting financial systems such as Infor, PeopleSoft, or Oracle.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

Ability to prepare a variety of clear and concise financial summaries and accounting reports.
Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a customer service focus.
Ability to meet assigned deadlines.
Ability to act and operate independently with minimal daily direction.
Highly detail oriented and organized.
Accurately tabulate, record, and balance assigned transactions.
Audit, reconcile, and balance assigned accounts.
Identify and correct accounting errors.
Maintain a variety of financial records and files.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Learn new tasks and be a team player with the willingness to fill the gaps when needed.

Ideal Knowledge:

Knowledge of the full range of professional accounting functions including payroll, accounts payable and general ledger.
Methods and techniques of governmental accounting and financial management.
Principles and practices of financial analysis and auditing.

Ideal Training and Education:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, public administration or business.
Directly related experience may be substituted for the college requirement on the basis of one and one-half years of experience for one year of education to a maximum of four years.

Required License or Certificate

To review the Classification Specification, please click here

General Accounting Unit (Position Code 559 / Oliva Manaloto)
Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite.

Selection Process

(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.
Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.

Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.

Benefits

The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, click here

Supplemental Questions

I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position.

Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. Responses that refer to attachments (e.g., “see resume”) will not be considered. Each question must be answered in full to ensure a fair and complete evaluation. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions.

Please list the highest degree of education you have attained.

Please indicate the years of experience you have in processing payroll.

0-4 years
4 plus years

Please list the payroll and financial management software systems you are proficient in.

Do you have experience processing payroll in the public sector?

Please describe your experience with processing payroll. What was your role and how frequently were you a part of this process?

Please describe your experience providing customer service in troubleshooting and providing technical assistance to users of the enterprise-level financial and payroll systems.

Describe your proficiency with advanced Microsoft Excel functionalities and how you use them for payroll data validation.

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer: Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA)
Address: 5750 Almaden Expressway

San Jose, California, 95118
Phone: 1-408-630-2260
Website: https://www.valleywater.org