ACCOUNTING & FISCAL ADMINISTRATION CAREER TRAINEE(UPWARD MOBILITY) - Target Title: Accountant

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Infrastructure Financial Assistance Section (IFAS), Post-Construction Unit in the is seeking to hire an Accounting & Fiscal Adm. Career Trainee whom will receive training for a period of six to twelve months in performing professional accounting work related to maintenance and tracking of grant/loan program activity for the Post-Construction IFAS loan and grant activities. The ideal candidate for this position will be organized, detailed and possess the ability to adapt to change in a collaborative, fast paced environment. The ideal candidate will also need to be able to communicate effectively verbally, electronically and in writing with both internal and external stakeholders.

The benefits of working at the EPA include a 37 ½ hour work week, a generous salary and benefits package (paid time off for vacation, sick or personal leave, holidays) pension and other retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement, and insurance eligibility on day one (medical, dental, vision, and life). We invite all qualified candidates to apply.

Job Responsibilities

20% 1.  Receives training for a period of six to twelve months in performing professional accounting work related to maintenance and tracking of grant/loan program activity for the Post-Construction Unit in the Infrastructure Financial Assistance Section (IFAS) in the Bureau of Water;

• • Receives training to process request for disbursements from funding recipients in a timely and accurate manner
  • Reviews invoices for eligibility against grant/loan agreements, contracts, and State and Federal laws and regulations governing the programs
  • Compares expenses to budgets
  • Calculates appropriate disbursements amounts

20% 2.  Receives training to review executed contracts for assigned projects in a timely and accurate manner to ensure that all necessary information is included;

• Processes change orders to contracts in a timely and accurate manner by effectively communicating with funding recipients, their consulting engineers, and IFAS project managers
• Makes accurate adjustments to project budgets as approved by change orders

15% 3.  Receives training to monitor the status of each assigned project to ensure that construction is proceeding according to schedule and disbursements are requested according to the approved disbursement schedule;

• • Effectively communicate with funding recipients, their consulting engineers, and IFAS project managers
  • Resolves any discrepancies with the IEPA approved construction schedule or the approved disbursement schedule

(Job Responsibilities continued)

15% 4.  Receives training for assisting with final grant/loan close-outs and the preparation of final grant/loan amendments;

• • Obtains all necessary final closing documents through contact with the funding recipient, their consulting engineer, and IEPA regional office staff
  • Enters all necessary dates into the Loan and Grant Tracking System (LGTS)
  • Adjusting project budget figures in LGTS to reflect final costs

10% 5.  Receives training to maintain accurate information in the (LGTS) on all assigned projects;

• • Utilizes Excel to prepare and maintain various tracking reports
  • Receives training preparing various letters to funding recipients regarding the status of their project​​​​​​​

10% 6.  Receives training in the preparation of billings to loan recipients and monitors repayments to assure full and prompt repayment of loans;

• • Monitors repayment information received from the Trustee to ensure accurate processing
  • Performs immediate follow-up with the Trustee and loan recipients when repayments are not timely or if discrepancies arise
  • Makes adjustments to loan amortization schedules and repayment invoices to accommodate requests by loan recipients for early payments

(Job Responsibilities continued)

05% 7.  Receives training with processing and tracking of funding agreements and amendments;

• Processes grant/loan agreements and subsequent funding increases/decreases to ensure they are obligated in a timely manner

05% 8.  Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or an allied field.
2. This class is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prefers ability to prepare comprehensive written and oral reports.
2. Prefers ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
3. Prefers ability to profit from training received in the designated area of state government.
4. Prefers ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees and agency representatives.
5. Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, and Excel software.

Conditions of Employment

Requires the ability to pass a name based background check.