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Job Description
Senior Account Specialist, Benefits at Santa Cruz County Office Of Education Print Application Deadline 6/25/2026 5:00 PM Pacific Date Posted 6/11/2026 Contact Ana De Leon-Romero Number of Openings 1 Salary Pay Range $6,044 - $7,651 Monthly Add'l Salary Info Based on the 2025-2026 Classified Salary Schedule (salary range placement depends on relevant education/experience). Length of Work Year 40 hours per week/ 12 months per year/ 1 FTE Employment Type Full Time About the Employer The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is committed to ensuring all students have the educational opportunities they need to thrive. We offer a wide range of services and programs geared at supporting our 10 public school districts and expanding educational opportunities and outcomes for over 37,000 students who call Santa Cruz County home. We envision an impactful educational community where everyone feels they belong and have the resources, relationships, and skills to thrive. Our mission is to create an equitable educational system that fosters growth, opportunities, and well-being for all. We work alongside partners in Santa Cruz County's educational community to build BRIDGES — Belonging, Relationships, Innovation, Data-informed decision-making, Growth mindsets, Excellence, and Sustainability — to equity in education. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is an equal opportunity employer. Job Summary Job Summary This position will be assigned to the
Business Department, Payroll Division:
Under direction of an assigned administrator, perform a variety of high-level specialized duties in support of employee benefits programs including eligibility, enrollment, data collection, record- keeping, accounting, claims processing and fund disbursement activities; serve as a technical resource to personnel concerning employee benefits information, eligibility, insurance plans, options, guidelines and procedures. Maintain employee leave accruals, usage and balances. Incumbents are expected to identify those problems which require attention from supervisory personnel and to use good judgment in applying accounting or administrative procedures to remaining problems. No supervision exercised. View Job Description Requirements / Qualifications Please read the full job description.
Education:
Equivalent to the completion of a Bachelor's degree with course work in accounting, bookkeeping or a related field.
Experience:
Three to five years of increasingly responsible technical experience in accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, benefits, human resources or a related field. Experience in a school district or in a county office of education is preferred.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license and appropriate vehicle operation insurance preferred.
Application Procedures:
Applicants must submit a completed application and are encouraged to attach a résumé to the application material. Letters of recommendation are highly encouraged. Qualified applicants will be invited to a written examination (50%). Those passing the written examination will be invited to an oral examination covering the knowledge and skills required (50%). An eligibility list will be established and the top three ranks of candidates will be interviewed for final consideration and appointment. The eligibility list established will remain in effect for a period of six (6) months unless it no longer exists due to an insufficient number of available candidates. If an applicant needs reasonable accommodation, we must be informed prior to the administration of the test. If selected, fingerprinting is required. You will need to supply our office with a negative tuberculosis test clearance. The certificate is good for a four-year period. You can have the test done through the Santa Cruz Health Department, Doctors on Duty Clinic or by calling a physician or a clinic of your choice.
Requirements / Qualifications
Please read the full job description.
Education:
Equivalent to the completion of a Bachelor's degree with course work in accounting, bookkeeping or a related field.
Experience:
Three to five years of increasingly responsible technical experience in accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, benefits, human resources or a related field. Experience in a school district or in a county office of education is preferred.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license and appropriate vehicle operation insurance preferred.
Application Procedures:
Applicants must submit a completed application and are encouraged to attach a résumé to the application material. Letters of recommendation are highly encouraged. Qualified applicants will be invited to a written examination (50%). Those passing the written examination will be invited to an oral examination covering the knowledge and skills required (50%). An eligibility list will be established and the top three ranks of candidates will be interviewed for final consideration and appointment. The eligibility list established will remain in effect for a period of six (6) months unless it no longer exists due to an insufficient number of available candidates. If an applicant needs reasonable accommodation, we must be informed prior to the administration of the test. If selected, fingerprinting is required. You will need to supply our office with a negative tuberculosis test clearance. The certificate is good for a four-year period. You can have the test done through the Santa Cruz Health Department, Doctors on Duty Clinic or by calling a physician or a clinic of your choice.
Comments and Other Information Benefits:
Employees assigned to this schedule are entitled to receive vision, dental and medical coverage for the employee and their dependents. Employees have a choice between various medical plans. Each plan may have an employee premium contribution amount for which the employee can utilize a tax sheltered Section 125 Plan. The COE contribution is prorated based on FTE. Retirement benefits are accrued through the Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS members are required to pay their portion of the retirement plan. The employee also receives long-term disability insurance and life insurance. For more information please review the Classified Summary of the Benefits Administration Page on the Santa Cruz County Office of Education website or read it on the link to the right under Links Related to this Job. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education provides an Associate Degree stipend of $375, a Bachelor's Degree stipend of $750, a Master's Degree stipend of $1,500, a Doctorate Degree (no Master's) of $1,500 or a Doctorate Degree (with Master's) of an additional $400 per year for eligible employees. Degree stipend is prorated based upon full time equivalent.
Comments and Other Information Benefits:
Employees assigned to this schedule are entitled to receive vision, dental and medical coverage for the employee and their dependents. Employees have a choice between various medical plans. Each plan may have an employee premium contribution amount for which the employee can utilize a tax sheltered Section 125 Plan. The COE contribution is prorated based on FTE. Retirement benefits are accrued through the Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS members are required to pay their portion of the retirement plan. The employee also receives long-term disability insurance and life insurance. For more information please review the Classified Summary of the Benefits Administration Page on the Santa Cruz County Office of Education website or read it on the link to the right under Links Related to this Job. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education provides an Associate Degree stipend of $375, a Bachelor's Degree stipend of $750, a Master's Degree stipend of $1,500, a Doctorate Degree (no Master's) of $1,500 or a Doctorate Degree (with Master's) of an additional $400 per year for eligible employees. Degree stipend is prorated based upon full time equivalent. Links Related To This Job Classified Benefits Summary, 10-1-25 View Other Job Desc. / Ess. Elem. CalPERS Links Not all postings qualify for CalPERS. Informational Only. CalPERS Retirement Benefits
