Financial Specialist

Job Overview

This is nonprofessional accounting and related clerical work for the 11th Judicial District Youth Court, involving the preparation and maintenance of court bookkeeping and financial records and providing financial procedural information. Work includes processing court receipts and deposits, fund disbursements and other financial transactions, reconciling and balancing accounts, preparing reports of financial data, claims for payment, reimbursement claims, preparing appropriate deposits, purchase requisitions and other documents and forms and performing related bookkeeping duties.

Work requires the exercise of judgment on bookkeeping and related problems in accordance with general accounting practices, bookkeeping procedures, detailed instructions, rules of court, state statutes, court policies and procedures. Work is reviewed in progress and upon completion for accuracy, completeness, timeliness and adherence to guidelines and requirements and is subject to audit.

Note: The Montana Judicial Branch offers a variety of opportunities to help you make a difference in your community, and further your career. As a service-oriented employer, we seek employees with a passion for customer service to help us fulfill our mission to provide an independent, accessible, responsive, impartial, and timely forum to resolve disputes; to preserve the rule of law;

and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and Montana.

• Manages information and payment approvals in JCATS.
• Enters appropriate facility codes for placements and services codes for services related to youth placement payments with JDIP funds PIF or other sources; monitors and corrects daily room and board rates, therapeutic services, and levels of care for each youth as appropriate; notifies supervisor about unusual coding situations; and interfaces with OCA for questions about specific placements or coded information.
• Compiles Foster Care Medicaid application information and arranges for Medicaid coverage for youth in placements and needing services; ensures paperwork is complete; verifies Medicaid is approved for the time covering placement or service; notifies supervisor about unusual situations; and interfaces with DPHHS for questions about eligibility. If Foster Care Medicaid is unavailable for the youth, assists the parents to apply for coverage through the OPA.
• Arranges/coordinates transport services with JDC and enters rate information on JCATS for payment; arranges air travel and lodging using Pro-card account when needed; coordinates transport with law enforcement, probation officers, and JDC within the district, state, and out-of-state. May be required to transport youth to and from placement facilities as per the “11th JD Transportation and Safety Protocol.”
• Receives, receipts, and records Restitution payments and Sweat Equity Community Services; posts to appropriate accounts; prepares and verifies deposits; maintains account information; maintains and balances account records; calculates, records, and distributes disbursements; sends monthly payment invoices; creates reports and notifies Probation Officers of restitution/community service deadlines for individual youth cases that may require filing hearing requests.

Creates monthly reports using JCATS database entries; converts this report to worksheets used to track cases through court process; collects, organizes, verifies, and enters a variety of data; researches and cross-references information; maintains records and files; maintain, updates and distributes lists.

Possession of an associate degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance or a related field or graduation from an approved high school or vocational school and experience in bookkeeping, collections, or accounting.

• Knowledge of bookkeeping principles, procedures, and practices.
• Knowledge of computerized accounting, budgeting, and related programs.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Ability to learn rules of court, state statutes, case processing, policies, and…