Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended.

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted online.

DESCRIPTION

THE POSITION

Under direction, to provide professional-level financial services in areas of budget development and processing, contract negotiation and administration, financial planning and monitoring, financial accounting and reporting, and grants management to County departments and agencies; to conduct a variety of studies and inquiries and perform financial analytic and administrative work; and to do related work as required.

Financial Services Specialist I/II is a flexibly-staffed class series with the work normally performed at the II level, but with initial selection possible at the I or entry level. Incumbents hired at the I level will be expected to gain experience and demonstrate proficiency which qualifies them to promote to the II level after the equivalent of two years full-time service. If proficient, incumbents will be eligible to be flexibly promoted to the II level after the equivalent of one year. Appointment at the I level will not be extended beyond two years.

Positions in this class series are normally found in County departments with multiple budgets and funding sources and/or with extensive contracting with service providers or community-based organizations. In addition to the provision of financial services, responsibilities also include performing general administrative services work, planning and conducting analytical studies and overseeing support functions and staff. Although the work is diverse, all positions are typically characterized by all of the following elements:

1. Independent decision-making.

2. Capacity to present clear oral and written reports to senior managers.

3. Knowledge of governmental financial processes and systems.

4. Ability to conduct financial analysis and formulate financial recommendations; and

5. Limited availability or nature of supervision.

This series is distinguished from the Administrative Specialist class series, which has primary responsibility for the provision of more general administrative services in such areas as personnel, purchasing, contracting, budgeting and departmental communications. It is further distinguished from Senior Financial Services Specialist, which is a skilled technical specialist class with a primary role in financial strategic planning and policy development.

THE VACANCY

The current vacancies are in the Social Services Agency, Alameda County Health, Probation Department, General Services Agency, Information Technology Department, and Registrar of Voters. However, the eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in other County departments or agencies.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to the minimum qualifications and the knowledge and skills listed below, the ideal candidate will demonstrate:
• The ability to prepare clear, accurate, and well-organized reports, correspondence, procedures, and other written materials.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in financial recordkeeping and demonstrated auditing best practices.
• Skill in using computer applications related to the work, including word processing, databases, and spreadsheets.
• Experience with the principles and practices of contract and grant administration.
• Experience with governmental budget development and administration.
• Skill in applying administrative analysis methods and preparing analytical reports.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• The ability to interpret, explain, and apply relevant federal, state, and local policies and regulations.
• Experience developing and administering multiple budgets.
• The ability to plan and conduct administrative and operational studies.

For more detailed information about the job classification, please visit: Financial Services Specialist II (#0214).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum professional requirements for admission to the competitive assessment process include:

Either I

The equivalent of one year full-time experience in the class of Financial Services Specialist I in the Alameda County classified service.

Or II

Education:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university (180 quarter units or 120 semester units) with major coursework in business or public administration, accounting, economics, financial planning or a field related to the work. (Additional professional financial planning and support experience equivalent to the County's classification of Financial Services Specialist I may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.)

And

Experience:

Equivalent to one year of full-time professional-level experience in areas of budget development and processing, contract negotiation and administration, financial planning and monitoring, financial accounting and reporting, grant management or similar financial services equivalent to that performed by the Alameda County classified service of Financial Services Specialist I.

Licenses: Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:
• Principles and practices of governmental budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract and grant administration.
• Financial record-keeping and auditing practices.
• Practices and techniques of administrative analysis and report preparation.
• Applicable federal, state and local policies and regulations.
• Computer applications related to the work, such as word processing, data bases and spreadsheets. Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Outlook.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.

Ability to:
• Develop and administer multiple budgets.
• Monitor fiscal transactions and audit fiscal records and documentation.
• Plan and conduct administrative and operational studies.
• Interpret, explain and apply financial regulations, policies and procedures.
• Direct the work of others on a project or day-to-day basis.
• Prepare clear and accurate reports, correspondence, procedures and other written materials.
• Represent the department and the County in meetings with others.
• Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Maintain accurate financial records and audit data.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Clearly and effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing; write contract documents, electronic mail, and Board letters to the Board of Supervisors at a professional skill level.
• Communicate fluently using the English language to present and request information to/from internal and external customers effectively by phone or in person.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

The examination will consist of the following steps:

1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the classification will move on to the next step in the examination process.

2) A review of candidates' Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants. Those candidates selected as best qualified will move on to the next step in the examination process.

3) An oral interview examination which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview examination may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the "What You Need to Know" section of our website, hrs.alamedacountyca.gov.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PLAN:

Deadline For Filing:

5:00:00 p.m., Thursday, July 30, 2026

Review of Minimum Qualifications

Review of Supplemental Questionnaire for Best Qualified

July 31, 2026

August 17-21, 2026

Virtual Pre-recorded Civil Service Oral Examination:

Virtual Oral Examination Ratings:

Results Notification:

Promulgation of Eligible List:

September 1-11, 2026

September 14-18, 2026

Week of September 21, 2026

September 30, 2026

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

Departmental Hiring Interviews:

TBD