BUDGET & FINANCE DEPARTMENT - DIRECTOR OF BUDGET & FINANCE

Acceptable Experience and Education

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics or closely related field; Certified Public Accountant and MBA/MPA preferred; minimum ten (10) years of experience in the budget and financial management field; with five (5) years minimum in an executive level capacity in a comparably sized entity utilizing equivalent budget and finance, preferably in a Texas County Government; with five (5) years demonstrated supervision at an executive level;

Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certificates and Licenses Required

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Possess and maintain recognized current certification or complete specialized training to ensure up-to-date knowledge of job-related skills. 

Essential Duties

Administrative Duties:

Provides vision and leadership in administering all Budget and Finance activities;

Directs strategizing, planning, organizing, reviewing, designing, and evaluating of the overall operations and development of the department;

Directs department goals and objectives to be consistent with priorities, policies and procedures established by Commissioners Court; interprets plans, specifications, standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory codes;

Is responsible for all administrative, personnel and department operations; provides management, administration, organizational leadership, and team building; plans, assigns, supervises, trains and evaluates the work of professional, technical and administrative support staff; assigns duties and plans work of others; 

Delegates authority and responsibility, and schedules program work on a long-term basis; establishes standards and priorities and ensures they are maintained by others; approves selection of new employees, employee transfer/promotion, discipline, termination, performance evaluations, and personnel actions;

Maintains a highly competent staff to meet the established needs of the entity; implements personnel additions, changes or terminations within guidelines set by Commissioners Court and County procedures; administers and formulates salary and personnel recommendations as they pertain to the department;

Monitors and oversees department operations to assure that services delivered are in compliance with contract provisions, applicable laws, rules and regulations established by federal, state, and local laws and by applicable standards established by Commissioners Court and the department; and

Develops and implements security policies and practices.

Substantive Budget Duties:

Directs the operations through day-to-day management of the Budget and Finance Department with fiscal oversight of the County’s financial affairs in collaboration with the County Auditor’s Office to ensure statutory compliance requiring adherence to a variety of laws and county policies; enforces budgetary compliance with adopted budgets; conducts strategic planning and forecasts future budgetary trends; 

Coordinates and directs the budget process; develops the annual budget calendar; disseminates clear instructions for staff involved with budget preparation; schedules and manages efficient budget meetings as needed; provides interim communications to inform key stakeholders of budget progress and issues;

Represents the department in Commissioners Court and makes presentations and recommendations to the Court; represents the department and/or County with customers and media; works with and makes presentations to elected county officials, county departments, state and municipal officials, citizen groups and other policy-making entities; 

Recommends, develops, administers, and implements fiscal policies; interprets, communicates and applies rules, procedures and policies; answers questions where judgment, knowledge and interpretation of County fiscal policies, procedures and regulations are necessary; 

Works with the County Auditor’s Office and Information Technology Department to oversee the evaluation on the systems of internal budgetary controls and makes recommendations for improvements; 

Recommends appropriate action to ensure planned expenses are in alignment with the annual budget and supported by actual revenues based on the County Auditor’s estimate and certification of available funds; 

Compiles, researches and analyzes projects related to the departmental goals, objectives, measures, strategic plans, and strategic maps, including policy and operational issues, business methods, service levels, analytic models, financial reports and organizational effectiveness; compiles statistics;

Ensures that all County departments/divisions comply with budgetary policies and adheres to budget appropriations; reviews and coordinates with department heads and elected officials to understand their needs for budget purposes, oversees the preparation of budget impacts, cost benefits analysis, new cost impacts, and recommends options; provides budgetary compliance strategies and training for County Offices and Departments; advises on appropriateness of program goals;

Prepares, completes, and presents various special and recurring reports; develops budget materials for the public and media;

Oversees and coordinates the preparation of the annual operating and capital budgets and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Budget Package in collaboration with the County Auditor’s Office for the appropriate required financial data; 

Collaborates with the County Auditor’s Office to prepare, monitor and incorporate County revenue, expense and fund balance projections into the County budget; 

Collaborates with the County Auditor’s Office to report periodically to Chief Administrator, Commissioners Court, and County Offices and Departments regarding updates and variances within the County’s budget;

Oversees and directs the analysis of data obtained for evidence of deficiencies in collaboration with the County Auditor’s Office as warranted;

Provides support, mentors, transfers knowledge, and skills to staff at all technical levels in a team environment to meet established goals and objectives; and

Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field.

General Expectations:

Promotes the County’s public image through participation and membership in civic organizations, professional activities and community forums that are aligned with the County’s mission and vision;

Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions; 

Commits to obtaining 20 hours of self- professional development activity/s;

Commits to providing and ensuring all members of department staff receive a minimum of 20 hours of professional development activities/training per fiscal year;

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and

Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

Other Important Duties*

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned by the Executive Department of Operations;

Maintains a safe and healthy work place environment; 

Be available for work beyond standard workday or workweek hours as necessary;

Regular out of town travel for professional conferences and meetings;

Be available to participate as a committee member on various boards within the County; and

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services. 

Summary of Position

The Director of Budget and Finance is a highly responsible position that that provides vision and leadership in administering the strategic oversight of the Budget and Finance Department.  In consultation with the Chief Administrator, this position works to establish partnerships with Department Heads and Elected Officials to develop principles and policies that guide the overall budget process based on the County’s strategic plan and other priorities. As a budget and financial expert, this position also provides reporting and analysis to the Chief Administrator and Commissioners Court that supports sound financial and business decisions. The Director of Budget and Finance is also responsible for all administrative, personnel, and department operations.

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:public sector budgeting, financial analysis, and management analysis principles and techniques; business process analysis methods;principles and practices of general and governmental accounting and budgeting, including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB);  best business practices in financial policy development; operations of Texas County Government; Texas Local Government Code; Government Auditing Standards; statutory duties and responsibilities of county officials and department heads; procurement statutes; statutory duties and responsibilities of county officials and department heads; financial statutes and the role of the County Budget; fundamental internal accounting controls; principles and practices of administrative management; the principles and practices of effective customer service; principles and practices of effective employee supervision; County organization, operations, policies and procedures; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.

Skill/Ability to:Read and interpret federal, state, and county laws pertaining to accountability of assigned department funds; oversee the extensive budget procedures and processes; provide assistance and oversight in the development of  the County  accounting systems; prepare a variety of regular and special financial and statistical reports; make arithmetic calculations accurately and rapidly;  analyze financial data and formulate recommendations; direct and oversee budget and financial analysis projects; write and execute  financial policy; conduct financial and trend analysis; make sound budgetary investment decisions; conduct research, develop appropriate documentation, assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands to meet scheduled requirements; do extensive public speaking and formal public presentations; establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and customers to promote and support a productive work environment; work efficiently independently and in a team environment to meet established goals and objectives; communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to respond effectively to customers and staff accurately; communicate complex financial, budgetary, and accounting issues without unnecessarily alarming the media and other “non financial” persons; exercise initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines in performance of daily duties; read, interpret, and communicate instructions; compile, analyze, and present statistical information; complete projects on time and within budget; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment; prepare and maintain records; promote program activities; make mathematical computations; prepare clear, concise and comprehensive written reports, and staff studies; schedule, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff; and work under stressful conditions. Pass a background investigation.

Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance: 

• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
• Work well with others and participate fully in a team-oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;

• Project positive support of their department and all organizations receiving El Paso County service      at all times; and,

• Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence

Organizational Relationships

Reports to: Deputy County Administrator

Directs:     Assistant Director of Budget, Budget Manager, Grant Administrator Analyst Manager, Financial Recovery Services Manager, Executive Assistant; indirectly oversees department staff.

Other:          Has routine contact with Commissioners Court, Chief Administrator, County Auditors, County Elected Officials, Department Heads and/or staff, Federal, State, and Local governmental agencies, County Emergency Services Districts, and other county employees.

Salary : $171,321