Member Financial Benefit Specialist

SUMMARY: 

The Pechanga Band of Indians has developed several financial benefit programs that are available to the enrolled members of the Band.  This currently includes Tribal Per Capita Loans, Tribal Reservation Home Loans, Tribal Secured Loan Program and all General Welfare Exclusion Programs.  The Member Financial Benefit Specialist will be responsible for managing all programs from the application process to maturity or termination. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Full responsibility for the General Welfare Exclusion (GWE) programs and tribal member loan programs.  Essential duties and responsibility includes the following:
  
  
  
  • Application and application fee (if any) process for all financial benefit programs
  
  
  • Annual registrations for GWE and loan programs
  
  
  • Annual changes in loan rates and payment amounts
  
  
  • Issuing necessary checks from loan programs
  
  
  • Recording correct loan payments in the per capita deductions
  
  
  • Recording proper payments of GWE benefits from the per capita system
  
  
  • Reconciling all loans and GWE accounts with the General Ledger
  
  
  • Collection and file maintenance of all documents required by each benefit program
  
  
  • Reporting on all programs as required
  
  
  • Prepare and update Finance Department SOPs for all financial benefit programs
  
  
  
  

• Perform outreach to the tribal membership to provide explanation of and encourage participation in all financial benefit programs


• Develop, coordinate, and schedule financial benefit program education meetings for the tribal membership


• Provide excellent customer service to all program participants and the tribal membership


• Provide backup support to the Payroll and Accounting Clerk positions as necessary


• Perform and complete special projects as assigned


• Professionally answer inquiries from Tribal Members and research any questions, inquiries, or discrepancies


• Exercise discretion and professionalism when relating to sensitive and confidential information


• Must adhere to all policies and procedures of the Pechanga Tribal Government.

The list of duties and responsibilities above is not an exhaustive list.  In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, the employee will be required to perform other job-related duties, as assigned, that are consistent with the employee’s job position and qualifications.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• AA degree or a combination of education and related work experience in Accounting / Finance required


• A minimum of 2-4 years experience working in Accounting, Finance, or the Financial Services field required

• Proficient in payroll and accounting functions as related to the essential duties required


• Proficient in payroll and accounting software, specifically MIP and HRMS preferred


• Advanced computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint required


• Familiar with the use of loan amortization software required, the use of T-Value software preferred

• Must be reliable, responsible, dependable and the have the ability to fulfill obligations

• Must maintain a professional demeanor at all times


• Must be able to work a flexible schedule that may include some Sunday scheduling


• This position must comply with the Pechanga Tribal Government’s Drug-Free Workplace Policy.    This includes: pre-employment and random testing


• Must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills


• Must be detail oriented and have the ability to manage multiple projects and properly prioritize workload


• Must be able to work independently and unsupervised, with minimum direction


• Must be able follow detailed instructions and processes to provide a good work product with minimal errors


• Must be able to work effectively in a fast paced environment


• Must have the ability to perform basic accounting, bookkeeping and mathematical computations


• Must have the ability to correctly identify problems and develop a valid courses of action to resolve problems

• Must have the ability to speak with others and convey information effectively

• Must have the ability to deal courteously and tactfully with Tribal members

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. The Pechanga Tribal Government may, upon request and in its sole discretion, grant an accommodation it deems reasonable and necessary to enable an employee with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, and talk or hear.  They must be able to speak the English language, speak clearly so listeners can understand and understand the speech of another person. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or grasp objects; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally stand on step ladders.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to be able to see the differences between colors, shades and brightness and be able to see details that are less than a few feet away. 

This is largely a sedentary role that includes sitting for extended periods of time; however, handling and managing documents and files is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend, stoop or stand as necessary.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The Pechanga Tribal Government may, upon request and in its sole discretion, grant an accommodation it deems reasonable and necessary to enable an employee with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

This job operates in an office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office and moderately noisy during events, General Membership meetings and when outdoors.

Hiring Preference: The Pechanga Tribal Government is an equal opportunity employer.  Consistent with federal law, the Pechanga Band of Indians applies Indian preference in employment.  It is the policy of the Pechanga Tribal Government to give preference in hiring, promotions, and transfers into vacant positions to qualified applicants in the following order: 1) Pechanga Tribal Members; 2) Pechanga Tribal Member Spouses; 3) non-member American Indians.  At-Will Employment: Employment with the Pechanga Tribal Government is at-will and can be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, either at the option of the employee or the Pechanga Tribal Government.  Drug Testing: The Pechanga Tribal Government is a drug-free workplace.  All employees are subject to drug testing.  Background Investigation: All candidates and employees may be subject to a background investigation.