Assistant Finance Director

OPPORTUNITY

ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR

CITY OF SANTA MARIA

Anticipated Hiring Range - $169,000 - $190,000 ANNUALLY

Tentative Oral Board Date: TBD

The City of Santa Maria is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Finance Director. The Assistant Finance Director plays a key leadership role assisting in overseeing financial operations within a highly skilled team of professionals that values teamwork, trust, and integrity in order to provide the highest quality service in the most efficient, cost-effective and courteous manner.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The ideal candidate will have the knowledge, skills and experience to act as assistant department director in the Finance Department and assist the Finance Director in managing and directing the Finance Department including treasury, accounting, payroll, business license, utility billing, long-term debt issuance and administration, purchasing, grants, and budgeting. They will also be expected to plan, organize and direct the activities of the Finance Department; and will assist in providing highly complex strategic guidance, analytical support, and leadership for the City’s financial health. This position may act as Department Director in the absence of the Finance Director.

This position is situated in the Organizational /Enterprise Leader broadband job classification, with differing levels of skills and expertise encompassed within. Incumbents in this classification possess and exhibit Strategic Leader Core competencies. This is an at-will executive leadership classification that could function as an assistant department head or lead major enterprise projects or programs that have city wide impact. Incumbents could lead other managers and model behaviors that exemplify a global visionary mindset; risk-taking; provide effective and ethical leadership; creative thinking, develop, and implement programs that use human and financial resources to achieve results; are accountable for strategy and goal formation consistent with the city’s mission and key business objectives; engage stakeholders; communicate and collaborate effectively at multiple levels; develop employees; foster good working relationships within the department and organization, analyze issues and data; and efficiently use public resources.

The Finance Department is in the midst of an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) implementation and is seeking the next forward-thinking Finance professional to assist in leading the Department into the next phase of operations.

WHO WE ARE:
The City of Santa Maria is a full-service City with a City Council/City Manager form of government with over 700 employees, an annual budget of approximately $300 million, and serves approximately 110,000 constituents. The City of Santa Maria is located on the beautiful central coast of California and covers over 23 square miles. The City has a harmonious balance of maintaining coastal and agricultural lands while promoting business. Santa Maria has been recognized nationally as an All-America City by the National Civic League and offers reasonably priced housing, community festivals, quality schools, and is in close proximity to beaches, cultural arts, a local airport, wineries, and higher education institutions.

REQUIRED SUBMITTALS (in addition to a completing the online application form):

• Resume
• Cover Letter

DUTIES

These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and nature of the assignment and the following are examples of duties:

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans, organizes, manages, leads, and evaluates the overall operations of the department in the absence of the department director or major programs or projects. Has authority over department or program staff and/or leads multiple programs and/or divisions within a department or city-wide.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates departmental standards, policies, goals, and outcomes.
• Prioritizes and allocates resources within the department or city-wide; oversees the development of the department and/or city budget; and balances fiscal priorities among divisions, projects, and programs.
• Leads multi-disciplinary teams with team membership from multiple departments, labor organizations, the community, and/or other governmental agencies.
• Coordinates resources and decision making with other departments and/or City Manager’s office.
• Exercises a high level of independent action and decision making over department or city-wide operations.
• Assist the Finance Director in managing and directing the Finance Department.
• Assist in developing department goals and objectives; assist in the development of and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Plan, organize and direct the activities and operations of the Finance Department including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general accounting, payroll, purchasing, business license, utility billing, and customer service.
• Direct, oversee and participate in the development of the Finance Department work plan; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
• Prepare the Finance Department budget; assist in budget implementation; participate in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; administer the approved budget.
• Recommend the appointment of personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures as required; maintain discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the department.
• Perform advanced accounting and financial analysis; provide technical assistance to staff and other City departments.
• Direct the development and implementation of accounting and financial systems.
• Oversee and review the preparation of financial statements; prepare reports related to the financial activities of the City for the Finance Director, City Manager, City Council and general public.
• Oversee selection, configuration and implementation of computer software systems and related equipment used in Finance Department and City-wide financial operations and reporting.
• Direct, oversee and participate in the preparation of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Single Audit, and State Controllers report.
• Represent the department to outside agencies and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
• Research and prepare technical and administrative reports; prepare written correspondence

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION
Assistant Finance Director - Organizational/Enterprise Leader job class
Full Salary Range of broadband job class: $169,509.86 - $282,516.26

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience and/or education directly related to the level of leadership and the scope of organizational authority/responsibility required by the position. Specific qualifications for this position is:
  • Possession of the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in finance, accounting, or another field of study applicable to the responsibilities and requirements of this job class. Possession of a master’s degree is desirable.
  • Six years of increasingly responsible experience in management of accounting, and budgeting activities in a municipal or governmental environment, including three years of supervisor responsibility.
  • Possession of a CPA or GFOA-CPFO or certification as a Local Government Finance Officer are desirable.
• Mastery of the core competencies listed below and the ability to immediately demonstrate these competencies consistent with the position's level in the leadership series and the specific work assignment.
• Current technical/professional knowledge of the complex principles, methods, standards, and techniques associated with the scope of work of a financial professional with knowledge of the principal listed below:

a) Principles and practices of municipal finance including governmental fund accounting, budget, auditing, and/or billing operations and applicable computer software management and reporting systems.

b) Principles and practices of general fund and government accounting.

DESIRED CORE COMPETENCIES:
Strategic Leader
Incumbents should have a solid foundation of Individual Contributor, Front Line Supervisor and Middle Manager core competencies identified by the organization,

• Mission Focus - understand and support the organization's mission, believe in it, value it, and display commitment.
• Visioning - imaginative, able to create a vision of the future, communicate it clearly and enthusiastically to others.
• Strategic Thinking - act with the future in mind, understand the factors influencing strategy, and consider future impact when weighing decisions.
• Business Thinking - see the organization as integrated and interlocking; understand the impacts of changes.
• Diplomacy - work within the organization's power network; recognize personal agendas, balance internal politics, and work well with elected officials.
• Global Mindset - see their city role in a larger context within the community, region, and beyond; value diversity and other points of view, identify partnership opportunities, and exhibit coalition-building skills.
• Risk Taking - willingness to take calculated chances to achieve goals; gracefully accept failure, learn, & move forward.
• Leadership Identification - identify with leaders and enjoy positions of responsibility and authority.
• Presentation Skills - comfortable and confident in front of an audience; effectively deliver messages and engage with the public and stakeholders.

SELECTION PROCESS

The completed electronic application packet will include the online application and electronic attachments of a cover letter and resume. If a cover letter and resume are not attached, your application will be considered incomplete. If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, please call the NEOGOV help line for assistance at 1-855-524-5627.

The most qualified candidates will be selected to appear before a panel for an oral board interview (virtual or in person). Finalist will be invited for a final selection interview.

Those applicants invited to the oral board and the finalist interview will be notified electronically at the e-mail address provided by each candidate through the application process. Therefore, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide an accurate email address and to allow their inbox to receive emails in regard to this recruitment.

The selected candidate must undergo a background check to the satisfaction of the City.