Champaign County
Job Description

Job Title: Highway Projects Accounting Assistant
Department: Highway
Reports To: County Engineer
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Employment Status: Bargaining Unit - AFSCME General Unit
Prepared Date: April, 2004

SUMMARY Under direction of the County Engineer, estimates and establishes the annual Motor Fuel Tax maintenance program for Road District roads. Maintains and operates the computerized accounting and record keeping system with a Budget amount of $2,500,000.00 annually. Responsible for Engineering Construction Pay-estimates for all County Highway and Bridge Projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Responsible for the preparation of proposals and estimates in accordance with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) polices and procedures; prepares notice to bidders, acceptance of proposals, reviews billings and report preparation; computes road district billings for materials, supplies and services.

Estimates the amount of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) monies available for each of the 28 Road Districts and meets with the District Road Commissioners to determine the amount and type of materials necessary for the MFT program.

Upon approval by the Illinois Department of Transportation, sets up lettings for MFT materials.
Obtains estimates and prepares acceptance awards for all materials let and approved by IDOT; assembles and maintains files for all 28 road districts, including materials used, under the MFT program; computes and checks all tickets for materials used by the road districts and the county and adjusts for overage, billing the road districts as necessary.

Verifies pay estimates from the engineers for county MFT and Bridge Section construction; prepares payment bills to road districts for their portion; maintains the records on the hours in use of county township equipment rentals and the dates of use.

Prepares monthly billings for materials ordered by the road districts, deposits payments with the County Treasurer; prepares billing to the road districts for their share of bridge maintenance, cost of engineering and overruns of MFT material purchases.

Provides IDOT with all relevant information pertaining to the MFT program; maintains information and prepares the annual engineering report on MFT taxes paid to the County Highway department for the County Board.

Based on MFT funds allowed, obtains the most material and supplies possible and obtains inspection reports on these materials.

Interprets how MFT monies can be allotted, the manner to be spent and explains these guidelines to all concerned parties.

Maintains contacts with State and County Auditor's office, County Treasurer's office, road district commissioners and IDOT.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school with courses in business and accounting; knowledge of MFT policies and procedures established by the Illinois Department of Transportation; two (2) years of computer experience, including all aspects performing Microsoft Word and Excel functions and operations, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS A bility to read and interpret documents such as spread and balance sheets, invoices, correspondence. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate with governmental officials and employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions and percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and talk; or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Usually, normal office working conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Note: This document contains wording of a description of a general class of positions with the Champaign County salary administration program. The description contains examples of duties and responsibilities which may or may not be considered to be "essential functions" to a particular job or position with this job class. "Essential functions" are to be determined at the position or job level within each department.