Saratoga Springs commission narrows Housing Authority accountant qualification to require "governmental accounting" experience

The Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission on Oct. 30 approved a change to the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority's accountant job specification to require experience specifically in "governmental accounting" and to require an unofficial college transcript to verify 24 semester credit hours in accounting.

Civil Service Coordinator Carissa Salvo told the commission the change follows a recent retirement at the Housing Authority and is intended to align the Housing Authority's minimum qualifications with those of the city's director of finance. Salvo said the authority wants the same degree-and-experience options but clarified that the experience must be in "governmental accounting." She also said the job specification will request an unofficial college transcript because the position calls for 24 semester credit hours that can be hard to verify without that documentation.

The commission approved the update by voice vote after the presentation. The revision does not add or remove duties; it changes the minimum-qualification language to make the type of accounting experience explicit and adds a "special note" defining public agency and governmental experience, according to staff presentation.

The change is intended to help the Housing Authority recruit candidates whose experience aligns with public-sector financial responsibilities and to streamline verification of academic prerequisites. The commission moved to post the vacancy if the revisions were approved and the posting was expected to follow the meeting.

The motion to approve the proposed updates to the Housing Authority accountant job specification was seconded and approved by voice vote.