CLERK III-A National School Lunch ProgramBusiness Support

The Clerk III - National School Lunch Program/Business Support Clerk position is responsible for specialized clerical work regarding the administration of National School Lunch Program employee payroll as well as various accounting and general office clerical functions in the Business Department. This position is a highly confidential position. The position reports directly to the Controller and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with direction from the Payroll & Benefits Supervisor in regard to JOB FUNCTIONS:Provides support to building administrators and ensures completion of appropriate Federal requirements to adhere to the Community Eligibility Program (CEP)Responsible for processing all district applications for the National School Lunch Program including the verification process for all applicationsRegularly interacts with Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) regarding the National School Lunch Program and attends any training as required by RIDEResponsible for the distribution of applications and negative balance notices to schoolsResponsible for inputting all data for the National School Lunch Program into Nutrikids and the districts Student Information System (SIS) including lunch flags as well as generating appropriate reports as requestedResponsible for responding to and assisting all parents/guardians regarding the National School Lunch Program and application processResponsible for contacting parents/guardians whove applied to the National School Lunch program in the previous school yearResponsible for helping to resolve negative balances with families and the food service vendorResponsible for communicating to school personnel appropriate school and district practices and procedures for the purpose of effective implementation of the National School Lunch ProgramMaintains Business Department office supply inventory and orders office supplies as neededPrepares and maintains payroll employee records and reviews data submitted by employees and other departments for accuracyMaintains forms and records in compliance with all federal and state records retention regulations as well as district policies and Business Department procedures. Assigns pay codes to employees as appropriate including stipend pay codes as requested by employee supervisors per department proceduresAssists supports and backs up the Payroll Clerk with payroll processing as neededProcesses employee reimbursements in payrollProcesses data exchanges and uploads regarding payroll between the various systemsProcesses forms and data submissions for other governmental agencies and third parties as assignedParticipates in new hire orientations to explain payroll and general benefit support and assistance to employees using the employee self-service (ESS) system and refers complex technical issues to the Financial Systems Data Analyst as closely with various staff at City Hall to resolve questions and issuesServes as backup for Accounts Payable and/or Accounts Receivable as needed during absences or increased workloadPerforms any other miscellaneous duties as assigned by the Controller or Chief Financial Officer to ensure the Business Department operates in an efficient SKILLS AND ABILITIES:Ability to communicate (orally and in writing) in a clear effective and friendly manner with stakeholders both proactively and in timely response to inquiriesAbility to understand and follow rules and processes for federal and state grantsDemonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate good judgment and diplomacyDemonstrated ability to build and maintain harmonious working relationships with school employees supervisors City Hall staff RIDE staff parents/guardians and the general public Ability to plan and organize with an emphasis to detail consistency and accuracyAbility to establish and maintain a welcoming and supportive department environmentProven experience in attention to detail and timely completion of tasksProven ability to make sound and ethical decisions using strong analytic and problem-solving skills Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skillsDemonstrated ability to work under limited supervision in a self-directed mannerAbility to adapt to changing priorities and the ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptionsREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:High School Diploma or equivalentProven experience with the operation and the use of computers printers database software spreadsheet software word processing typing calculator and general office equipment (MS Office and/or Google Workspace)Proven ability to create and update spreadsheets including formulas and word processing documents with limited instructionAbility to perform moderately complex arithmetic computations maintain accurate and detailed financial records and files with minimum supervisionMust possess a basic understanding of applicable labor and tax laws as well as regulationsMust possess a basic understanding of the laws and regulations governing the operation of the National School Lunch ProgramPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Associates or Bachelors Degree in accounting business or related fieldPrevious experience in school department settingPrevious experience with National School Lunch programPrevious experience with Tyler Munis Accounting and/or Human Capital ManagementSupplemental courses in Payroll Bookkeeping or Accounting Bi-lingualPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/WORK ENVIRONMENT:Frequently required to stand sit and walkThe work environment is typically within an office setting light noise level temperature etc. are typical of (primarily) an office setting although the employee may meet with other employees and agencies in an outside (jobsite) lifting or carrying objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds Specific physical abilities include close vision and the ability to use computer monitors for long periods of time as well as the ability to communicate verbally in person and on the telephone.