Finance Director

Under administrative direction of the City Manager, this position is responsible for leading Finance personnel, providing administrative direction and coordination for the fiscal and administrative activities of the City, including finance and budget administration, accounting, billing and collection, cash management, debt management, purchasing, and investment policy. In accord with the City of Bastrop’s organizational values, goals and leadership philosophy, the Finance Director is responsible for the leadership and management of all financial operations of the City, including planning, organizing, and controlling financial resources, and expenditure processes. This function is conducted in coordination/collaboration with the senior leadership team. Performs related work as required.

• Provides premier customer service to citizens, internal and external customers by responding to requests in a positive, timely, effective, and professional manner.
• Provides administrative direction and coordination for the fiscal and administrative activities of the City, including finance and budget administration, accounting, billing and collection, cash management, debt management, purchasing, and investment policy.
• Develops and implements strategic plan, policies and procedures, and internal controls to support current and future financial needs to the organization.
• Serves as Staff Liaison to the Fairview Cemetery Advisory Board and the Hunter's Crossing Local Government Corporation.
• Manages all insurance coverage including property, liability, and worker's comp.
• Ensures City’s compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations concerning municipal financial administration, to include regulatory reporting.
• Directs the compilation, assembly, and summarization of data into various records and reports concerning financial status and related issues for use in various City administration functions and for public information purposes.
• Directs, supervises, and evaluates the performance of subordinate personnel.
• Plans, coordinates, and controls the City's accounting system and debt service requirements and implements/recommends asset management techniques.
• Represents the City as the Investment Officer, responsible for managing cash flow of bond funds and investing in compliance with the Investment Policy.
• Manage utility rates to include water, wastewater, and electric.
• Plans collaboratively with City administrative officials in coordinating short and long-term municipal goals, strategies, and objectives.
• Processes banking requirements, i.e., wire transfers, investments, transfer of funds, problem solving, security requirements.
• Administers purchasing functions, i.e., capital expenditures, preparation of Requests for Proposal, bid proposals, obtaining quotes, providing recommendations, making purchases.
• Reviews invoices and approves payments, verifies purchase order authorization and proper coding of expenditures; reviews reports and surveys utilized in financial reporting.
• Reviews financial statements/general ledgers for coding errors in revenues and expenses; adjusts as indicated, ensuring correct information for all items impacting budget allocations.
• Provides periodic written and oral reports to the City Manager concerning all aspects of functions under charge.
• Coordinates the preparation of annual budget and monitors throughout the year.
• Coordinates with tax assessment and collection agencies.
• Develops financial policies and procedures for the City.
• Advises and makes recommendations on all fiscal policy.
• Monitors the City’s financial condition and financial activities to ensure compliance with policies and procedures, state and federal statutes, City Charter, and bond covenants.
• Establishes department goals and objectives, and initiates development of new programs and services.
• Performs special studies and research as requested by the City Manager’s Office and makes recommendations on changes and improvements to City practices and procedures that improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Works positively and collaboratively with departments in preparing and implementing budgets, reviewing and discussing adherence, in revising accounting and billing systems, and providing assistance as needed.
• Maintains current knowledge of trends and developments in municipal finance administration.
• Attends various City administration meetings to represent the financial accountability of the City, and for review purposes, i.e., resolutions, ordinances, inter-local agreements, financial reports.
• Participate with Emergency Management when the needs arrive with the duties assigned.
• Adheres to the City’s Code of Ethics.
• Attends meetings and conducts projects and research as requested by the City Manager’s Office.
• Responsible for regular in-person attendance and working after hours, weekends, and holidays as required

Leadership, Innovation and Personal Qualities:

In discussing their desired qualities for the next Finance Director, the City Manager and staff indicate an interest in a person with strong leadership and interpersonal skills; a creative, visionary municipal professional who can assist the City Manager in maintaining the quality services the City’s residents have grown accustomed to, as well as preparing the City for the anticipated growth in the area.

The selected candidate should create a culture of excellence, employing best practices and promoting continuous improvement. Ensuring that the needs of employees and residents will be met with the highest degree of professionalism and outstanding customer service will be an on-going priority.
The Finance Director should have the ability to build coalitions to accomplish the vision of the City Council, taking care to encourage a consensus that is derived by consideration of all input.

Education, Training and Licenses/Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; Master’s degree preferred in Management of Public Administration.
• Thorough knowledge of general management principles, and principles, methods, and practices of municipal finance as well as the ability to plan, direct and coordinate the diversified work activities of the Finance Department.
• At least seven years of related municipal experience required.
• Certified Public Accountant and/or Certified Government Finance Officer preferred.
• Possession of a valid Class C Texas Driver License with a satisfactory driving record.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the budgetary and municipal fiscal management, governmental accounting and reporting systems, Local Government Code Chapter 102, GAAFR, GAAP, Truth in Taxation, GASB regulations, and experience in producing an ACFR.
• A proven record as a team player who applies ethics that reflect honesty and integrity in all relationships to establish an example to staff and citizens.
• Strong experience in debt management and various capital project financing techniques including impact fees and designated sales taxes.
• A track record of successfully managing a municipal investment program.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the organization, functions, and financial challenges of municipal government administration.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of cash management, pension, investment, and modern banking relationships.
• Considerable knowledge of long-range planning principles and methods.
• Considerable knowledge of the effective principles and practices of administration, organization, supervision, and project accounting.
• Outstanding personnel management and leadership skills, including the ability to relate to a broad range of people both inside the organization and community.
• Demonstrated commitment to staff development and involvement with the intentional focus on developing future leadership for the Department. Includes the ability to select, organize and motivate a top-notch staff.
• Exceptional aptitude to anticipate problems, identify alternative courses of action, prepare proactive recommendations; present, defend and support those recommendations before the City Manager, City Council, advisory groups, or citizens.
• Excellent skills in both written and oral communications for effective expression of ideas and clarity in task assignment; be comfortable with public speaking, have outstanding presentation skills with the ability to engage with a diverse range of people.
• Highly collaborative spirit, effectively working with and engaging other departments within the organization.
• Visionary with a track record of innovation, resourcefulness, and influential leadership within the organization, community, and interfacing entities.
• Processes banking requirements i.e., wire transfers, investments, transfer of funds, problem solving, security requirements.
• Ability to be politically savvy, but never political, and must be a highly effective negotiator and mediator who can build consensus and forge strategic partnerships, internally as well as externally.
• Ability to develop routine and non-routine comprehensive fiscal reports.
• Ability to assess municipal programs and proposed policies in terms of their financial and administrative implications.
• Ability to appraise market trends and terms in relation to municipal debt.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with other employees, City officials, debt rating agency personnel, investors, users of municipal financial reports, the investment banking community, and the general public.
• Ability to present findings effectively in complex written reports.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide; utilize principles of descriptive statistics; calculate decimals and percentages; compute discount, profit and loss, ratio and proportion.
• Ability to analyze, organize and review work for established policy standards, efficient results, and accuracy.
• Ability to utilize office equipment and applications associated with job duties.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a bond for the faithful discharge of duties.

Special Requirements:

Must be able to work holidays, weekends, or after hours for special events, meetings or during emergency situations as required.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

Sensory Requirements:

• Some tasks may require sound perception and discrimination.
• Some tasks may require visual perception and discrimination.
• Some tasks may require oral communications ability.

Environmental Requirements:

• Some tasks may require exposure to extreme heat/cold/rain or extreme weather conditions.
• Some tasks may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as dirt, dust or pollen.

The salary range for this position is depending on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate. The following package is also offered.

• Medical and dental insurance and benefits are provided at zero premium cost to the employee
• 50% dependent health care benefits premium contribution
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year (13 named holidays & 1 floating holiday)
• Retirement plan with Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) will include a 7% contribution of an employee’s gross salary with a city contribution match of 2 to 1 (14%) at retirement.
• Retirement eligibility: Vested after 5 years and retirement eligible after 20 years of service or age 60.
• Additional retirement fund option to participate in a 457 plan.
• Basic Life Insurance policy of $150,000 paid by the City.
• Vacation Leave
• 8 hours of Sick Leave per month (accrual max 960 hrs.)

For more information on this position or City benefits please contact Tanya Cantrell, Human Resources Director, at 512-332-8812 or tcantrell@cityofbastrop.org.

The City of Bastrop is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO) and values diversity in its workforce. As an EEO employer, the City provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Employment is contingent on passing post-offer, pre-employment drug testing and criminal background investigation.