Jessica Simons
Montana Department of Transportation
14
years of professional experience
Results-driven financial professional with nearly 11 years of experience in state policies, accounting systems, and administrative support. Expertise in leading budget meetings, performing reconciliations, and ensuring data integrity. Skilled in identifying financial efficiencies, guiding accounting processes, and enhancing internal controls to improve district-wide fiscal operations.
Work History
Area Administrative Assistant (AAA)
4 Years 3 Months- Oversee administrative support staff to ensure consistent workflow, policies and procedures are followed while supporting district leadership team.
- Improved financial accuracy by consistently approving all AP types and resolving issues through proactive transaction research preventing payment delays and disruptions.
- Enhance inventory integrity by creating annual inventory schedules, performing counts and maintaining complete system entries while working with Maintenance crews for compliance.
- Set up, maintain and approve cost centers, troubleshoot and work with crews to increase operational efficiency
- Strengthening procurement control by managing procurement card processes, troubleshooting issues, training and educating noncompliance and policies to district staff.
- Supported district readiness by verifying pay location transmissions, coordinating winter temp onboarding and ensuring completion of required HR and safety documentation.
- Improved workforce reliability by leading bi-weekly 1:1 meetings and quarterly talent check-ins.
- Managed organized record storage systems to ensure easy access and retrieval. while overseeing annual records disposal
Administrative Assistant
7 Years 7 Months- Complete accounts payable process, enter invoices into Oracle for payment
- Processed employee timesheets, terminations, HRAFs, and onboarding to ensure accurate payroll and smooth transitions.
- Completed accounts payable process and entered invoices into Oracle for timely payment processing.
- Customer Service and road reporting
- Counted inventory and processed in MMS/EVVMS to maintain accurate stock levels.
- Processed work comp claims
Patient Access Representative
1 Year 11 Months- Provided exceptional customer service by addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly., Office management (including but not limited to scheduling, billing, payroll, office budgets), in-patient financial counseling, medical coding, compliance, chart audits, insurance claims
- Facilitated patient registration processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance with healthcare regulations.
- Managed patient scheduling, optimizing appointment availability and minimizing wait times.
- Collaborated with clinical staff to streamline patient flow and enhance service delivery efficiency.
Team Lead
7 Years 11 Months- Provided customer service support, Managed departmental budgets, Conducted inventory management, office/team management, Performed accounting tasks, Processed employee timesheets, total hiring process (screening and interviews to training and reviews), supervisor reviews, Executed policies to ensure compliance, Ensured adherence to industry regulations, compliance audits and all other manager/supervisor duties as needed
- Led production team to enhance operational efficiency and productivity.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, reducing waste and improving resource allocation.
- Mentored staff on safety protocols and best practices in distillation operations.
Office Manager
7 Months- Managed and supervised PCAs and patients, handled hiring, onboarding, patient intakes, and benefit paperwork, managed timesheets and budgets, oversaw insurance billing, audited charts and billing for federal and state compliance, coordinated training, managed marketing efforts, and conducted performance appraisals.
- Streamlined office procedures to enhance operational efficiency and improve workflow management.
- Developed and maintained filing systems for accurate record-keeping and easy access to information.
- Coordinated schedules and meetings, ensuring optimal time management for executive staff.
Education
- Business Management
- Elementary Education
Skills
Budget & Accounting Experience
Proficient in SABHRS
Proficient in Oracle
MOMs policies knowledge
MDT policies knowledge
Worked in STARS testing
Efficient in MMS/EVMS
Financial Oversight
Team leadership
Microsoft Office Suite
Procurement management
Critical thinking
Strong problem solver
Communication
Customer Service
Timeline
Area Administrative Assistant (AAA)
Montana Department of Transportation
05.2022 - CurrentRead More
Patient Access Representative
SCL Healthcare
04.2018 - 03.2020Read More
Office Manager
A Plus Healthcare
09.2016 - 04.2017Read More
Administrative Assistant
Montana Department of Transportation
10.2014 - 05.2022Read More
Team Lead
Headframe Spirits
04.2012 - 03.2020Read More
Montana State University
Read More
University of Montana Western
from Elementary Education
Read More
Montana Technological University
from Business Management
Read More
System Knowledge
- Efficient and extensive knowledge in the following systems:
- - EVMS
- - MMS (resources, reporting, materials)
- - Electronic Timesheet Systems
- - Oracle (full AP module, Personnel, Road Reporting)
- - Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote)
- - SABHRS (Financials, Human Resources, Talent, Data Mine)
- - Montana State Fund (Work Comp claims and follow up documentation)
- - EMACS
Professional Knowledge
- - Extensive knowledge in all MDT Missoula unions, timesheets, and allowances (CRAFTS, AFSCME and MFPE)
- - Preparing journals for AAA to correct accounting mistakes
- - Assisting DFO prepare budget projections
- - Claims match to reconcile accounts
- - Extensive knowledge on federal aid projects
- - Internal Controls (inventory, AP audits, coding, etc)
- - Ensure documentation compliance with State and Federal laws for purchases and timesheets
- - All deposits (jury duty, vendor revenues, capital credits)
- - Coordinate Fiscal Year End deadlines
- - Contract management
- - Ensure proper documentation for Work Comp claims
- - Understand all coding and Accounts Payable workflow
- - Helped guide and streamline transition to electronic functions during pandemic
- - Assist with district trainings
- - Strong customer service – written verbal and in person
- - Process procurement card transactions
- - Cost Centers
- - Adopt-a-highway
- - Records Management
Leadership
Over nearly seven years with the Missoula District Office of MDT, I have advanced into a leadership role for front office staff and serve as a trusted liaison across multiple departments within the district and the broader organization. I proactively interpret and apply policies and procedures, enabling me to train staff effectively, streamline workflows, and support consistent delivery of high‑quality, timely work. I have led training efforts in purchasing requirements, cost center processing, and inventory management, contributing to improved accuracy and efficiency. I frequently provide guidance to teams across other district offices, field crews, and management. I am known for being adaptable, collaborative, and ready to assist wherever needed to support operational success.
Communication
I pride myself on not only being an excellent communicator but also an excellent listener. During my time at The Montana Department of Transportation, I have taken many classes and trainings to further my skills and knowledge including: Outward Mindset, Neuro-colors, Emotional Intelligence, Myers Briggs and am currently waiting for the Management Development class to begin. I believe communication is the key to success in any environment to ensure everyone is successful.