JAMAICA TOWN TREASURER AND DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTOR
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Town Treasurer position is responsible for the oversight and execution of all the town’s financial activities, and for ensuring compliance with accepted accounting principles and standards. Primary responsibilities include:
- Receipt, investment, and disbursement of funds
- Collecting other funds receivable by the Town
- Paying orders drawn on town accounts as approved by Jamaica Selectboard
- Keeping a record of taxes voted, billed, and collected
- Acting as the Town’s collector of current taxes and delinquent taxes
- Grant and project accounting and reporting
- Reports to Selectboard
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The listed duties illustrate the various functions of the Jamaica Town Treasurer. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility does not exclude it from the duties and responsibilities of the position of treasurer if the specific duty and responsibility is like, or related to, these characteristic duties and responsibilities, or is a logical assignment to the position.
The treasurer works in close collaboration with the town administrator, the town clerk, the transfer station attendant, and road foreman and crew, and with elected officials, to best implement the requirements of the position. Specific tasks include:
- Annually, with the Selectboard, prepare the preliminary town budget and assist the Selectboard in finalizing the FY budget for voter approval and preparing for town budget presentations.
- Plan, prepare, and present annual operating budgets to Selectboard for approval. Coordinate and manage all fiscal reporting activities including revenue/expense and balance sheet reports, budget reports, fiscal year-end financial statements, capital program reports, grants, and funds reports, etc.
- Track source and use of funds for each major acquisition, capital project, highway project, grant award, etc. to ensure that funds are allocated and spent appropriately, that the potential impact on future budgets is assessed; report on each to the Selectboard periodically or as exceptions require.
- Work with Selectboard to accurately code each receivable and disbursement according to the chart of accounts; maintain and recommend updates to the chart as advised.
- Process invoices, prepare checks and warrants for Selectboard approval at each Selectboard meeting; present annotated budget status reports and invoice lists at each meeting.
- The role of the Delinquent Tax Collector includes responsibility for notifying tax payers when their taxes are delinquent, collecting delinquent property taxes owed to the town, making arrangements for payment and/or taking formal collection actions, including tax sales of the property, when necessary. In addition, the delinquent tax collector records, reports and delivers all delinquent tax payments, including penalty, interest and any other fees received to the town.
- Enter all payments into the town’s computerized financial accounting system – NEMRC – Delinquent Tax Accounting, including payment allocation to tax, penalty and interest, monthly.
- Manage and execute payroll and employee benefits.
- Consistently monitor the town’s trial balance to ensure that the appropriate accounts are cleared out in a timely manner.
- Prepare for and work with the independent auditor during the annual audit. Work cooperatively with the Selectboard to ensure that the financial reports required for the annual Town Report are furnished to the town auditors to produce these reports.
- Coordinate, manage, and maintain liability, property, workers compensation, and unemployment insurance for all own and town affiliated operations, equipment, and activities.
- Periodically attend and speak at meetings to provide a concise overview and detailed explanation of the town’s financial status.
- Work with Selectboard on developing and implementing financial policies and procedures, reviewing and recommending revisions as necessary. Ensure that all town financial policies and procedures are fully and accurately implemented.
- Investigate and recommend to the Selectboard methods for improving cost control and containment and increasing efficiency of town services. Institute such methods as approved by the Selectboard.
- Attend educational seminars/webinars offered by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT), Government Financial Officers (GFO) Association, Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Association (VMCTA) and any other organizations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, or accounting, or equivalent recommended but not required depending on applicable experience.
- Preference for experience in municipal general ledger reporting and financial statement preparation in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles. Experience with NEMRC Fund Accounting System software preferred.
- Preference for experience in payroll processing and systems administration including a knowledge of legal payroll requirements and basic employment law.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures and governmental regulations.
- Ability to provide support, information and problem solve with members of the public, and provide clear explanations and instructions in a helpful and personable manner.
- Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to present information and respond to questions from town employees, elected officials, and the general public.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and trends and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with a variety of variables.
- Full command of business-related computer skills, and comfort with learning new programs and keeping pace with evolving best practices and new applications.
-
- Specifically: proficiency with accounting software, including but not limited to: general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, spreadsheet applications and word processing; Microsoft programs, particularly Word and Excel; and Google Suite applications.
- Outstanding communication skills, with English language fluency.
- This position requires a professional who is detail-oriented and can work effectively with all levels of employees, management, elected and appointed town officials, and volunteers. Must be able to organize and prioritize work effectively and adapt to changing demands in an active environment.
- Compensation depends on qualifications, experience, and organizational fit. The town offers a competitive, and full, benefits package, including participation in the Vermont State Employees Retirement System.
- Position hours in the office are from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM Monday through Thursday. The town office is staffed for public utilization. Occasional attendance at evening Selectboard meetings, as necessary. Compensation is negotiable based on education, experience, and ability to carry out the work assigned for this governmental appointment, and is based on an hourly wage. A benefits package is offered, and may be substituted for additional wages.
For more information, please contact the Town Clerk, Sara Wiswall at townclerk@jamaicavermont.org