Controller

Salary : $133,706.88 - $190,932.00 Annually

Location : Irvine, CA

Job Type : Full-Time Regular

Job Number : 00912

Department : Finance / Treasury

Opening Date : 02 / 12 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

General Description

The District :

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website : www.IRWD.com.

IRWD Corporate Values

Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.

The Position :

Receives general supervision from management personnel. The Controller manages the accounting division of the Finance Department, overseeing key financial functions such as customer payment processing, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, projects (construction) / assets, bank reconciliations, and general accounting. This role ensures the implementation of financial controls and security measures to safeguard District funds. Additionally, the Controller leads process improvement projects involving intricate financial systems within the District.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This management-level position is responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating the work of accounting staff. The incumbent will oversee the development and processing of financial records, reports, and statements, ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The Controller serves as a professional resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses. Successful performance in this role demands a high degree of independence, initiative, and sound judgment within established guidelines.

For the full job description and responsibilities of the position, please click here .

Applications will be accepted continuously until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or until filled. The deadline for the first review of applications is 8 : 00 AM on March 5, 2025. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit applications early. Candidates who submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close without notice after the first review deadline.

This position is 100% in-office, meaning employees are expected to work from our Sand Canyon headquarters or Operation office full-time, without the option for remote work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations, so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Plans, organizes, supervises, trains, and evaluates the performance of direct reports, setting performance goals and providing ongoing coaching and development.

Provides leadership and work with staff to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment which aligns with the District's core values.

Develops and implements goals, policies, and procedures for assigned services and programs in alignment with strategic objectives.

Supervises the daily operations of the accounting division, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, payroll, projects, assets, and recordkeeping.

Prepares the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), including financial statements, notes, and supplementary information.

Coordinates external audits and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory standards.

Develops and implement financial controls, internal auditing processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Provides financial guidance to District departments and ensures adherence to financial policies and procedures.

Stays updated on industry trends and regulatory changes to enhance the District's financial practices.

Responsible for the preparation of the annual operating budget.

Manages the process of generating rates based on annual operating costs and presents rate recommendations to the necessary Committees and the Board of Directors.

Manages the update process for the rates and charges schedule for all changes throughout the fiscal year

Directs the generation of the mailing lists for, and the presentation of proposition 218 notices.

Manages the processing, reviews and / or approves payroll batching reports, tax deposits, tax tables, and periodic tax returns and reports.

Directs preparation of the enterprise model for the purpose of setting connection fees and property tax rates to fund non-replacement capital.

Comply with safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Disaster Service Worker : In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience :

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be :

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in finance, accounting, economics, business, or public administration from an accredited institution.

Experience

Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible accounting experience, preferably within a governmental agency or utility, including three (3) years in a supervisory role.

License / Certifications Required

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is desirable.

Knowledge of :

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including training and performance evaluation.
• Governmental accounting, public finance administration, and budgetary processes.
• Applicable federal, state, and local financial regulations and standards (GAAP, GASB, GFOA, OMB A-133, etc.).
• Internal controls, auditing standards, and financial reporting best practices.
• Budget preparation and administration.
• Record-keeping principles and procedures.
• Customer service principles and effective communication techniques.

Ability to :

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Regularly required to sit, walk, bend, stoop, and stand. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time while performing tasks at a desk or workstation. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. This may involve repetitive hand movements for extended periods. Ability to reach for documents, supplies, or equipment at varying heights (within a standard office environment) and grasp them, including the use of filing cabinets or shelves. This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Occasional standing is required, such as when presenting. Some bending or stooping may be necessary to retrieve files or materials from lower shelves or desks. Good vision is necessary for reading documents, working with computer screens, and performing tasks that require fine detail. Ability to hear in a standard office environment for communication, phone calls, and meetings. Frequent verbal communication with team members, clients, and other stakeholders, including both in-person and virtual meetings, requiring clear speech and hearing. Occasional travel may be required to other worksites or conferences for meetings, training, or other work-related activities. The job may require sustained concentration, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Ability to walk long distances over uneven terrain. The employee should be able to manage work-related stress in a fast-paced environment.

These physical demands may vary depending on the specific duties and expectations of the position.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Noise level is generally equivalent to a typical office environment. The office is maintained at a comfortable room temperature. The office is equipped with air conditioning and ventilation systems designed to maintain comfortable indoor air quality. The work area is equipped with adequate artificial lighting, supplemented by natural daylight from windows where available. The employee will work primarily at a desk, using a computer and other office equipment. The office complies with standard safety regulations, including the use of fire exits, first aid kits, and emergency procedures. Employees are expected to adhere to safety guidelines. The office environment is free from significant environmental hazards such as chemicals, heavy machinery, or extreme weather conditions.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION

All applicants are required to complete and submit a District application form online and answer the supplemental questionnaire. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of the District online application. To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page.

New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time :

Applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department and the subject matter expert. Those applicants possessing the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include :

Writing Skills Assessment (tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2025) : This will evaluate candidates' ability to convey information in writing properly.

Oral Interview Examination (tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, 2025) : This will evaluate the candidates' experience, training, education, and abilities in relation to those factors that are essential for successful job performance.

Communication regarding your application and / or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process, as you will not receive communications by any other method.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Irvine Ranch Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department for a reasonable accommodation.

IRWD offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following : retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; and a variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status. This benefits overview is intended to be a summary, is not intended to be all-inclusive, and may not be applicable to all employees.

Retirement

Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 :

The District, in compliance with the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2012 (PEPRA), implemented a third tier for new employees hired on or after January 1, 2013. New employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have not been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system within 6 months of hire date will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at a 2 percent at age 62 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefits of 2.5 percent at age 67. Final compensation calculations will be based on the highest three-year average of regular recurring pay. The District pays the employer's share of these costs. The employee share of the pension cost of 7.50% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula.

Employees hired on or after September 29, 2012 or "Classic" PERS members hired on or after January 1, 2013 :

On September 24, 2012, the IRWD Board of Directors approved the addition of a second tier to the CalPERS retirement benefits. New employees hired on or after September 29th through December 31, 2012, and employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system, will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at 2 percent at age 60 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefit of 2.418% at age 63. The District pays the employer share of these costs and the employee share of the pension cost of 7% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula. Final retirement compensation calculations are based on the highest three-year average of regular, recurring pay.

IRWD does not participate or pay into Social Security except for the Medicare portion.

Medical Insurance

IRWD contracts with CalPERS for medical insurance coverage. Employees may elect coverage from a variety of PPO and HMO plans. The employee and District contribution for health insurance varies by plan. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Dental Insurance

IRWD contracts with Delta Dental for dental coverage. IRWD pays 100% of the premium for dental coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Vision Insurance

IRWD contracts with the EyeMed for vision coverage. IRWD pays 100% of the premium for vision coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Life Insurance

Elgible employees are provided with life insurance coverage equal to three or four times their annual salary, depending on their level of compensation. Eligible dependents are also covered for a flat benefit amount. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Deferred Compensation

Participation in a deferred compensation plan is available through Empower Retirement. Enrollment is voluntary and contributions are employee-paid and subject to IRS limits. The District matches employee contributions up to 3% of base pay after 1 year of employment.

Paid Vacation

Eligible employees begin accruing vacation benefits at the rate of 80 hours per year for the first 5 years of employment. Employees accrue 120 hours per year after 5 years of employment and 160 hours per year after 10 years of employment.

Paid Holidays

The District offers 11 scheduled paid holidays plus one personal holiday per year.

Sick Leave

Eligible employees accrue 96 hours of sick leave annually.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Eligible employees may elect to participate in the District's Flex Advantage program. This program allows employees to deposit pre-tax dollars into special accounts to be used for a variety of purposes, including paying for qualified miscellaneous health care expenses and dependent care expenses. IRWD contracts with a third party administer to process payments from employee accounts using claim forms or a Flex Spending debit card.

Educational Assistance

The District will share in the pre-approved educational costs of tuition and books for employees who wish to attend college or take certification classes.

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

How many years of progressively responsible accounting experience do you have?

Please describe in detail your progressively responsible professional experience in governmental accounting, public finance administration, and budgetary processes. If none, type N / A. Responses such as "see resume" will be considered incomplete.

How many years of supervisory experience do you have?

Please describe your full-time professional supervisory experience. Include the related duties or responsibilities you performed, the job title(s) you held, and the number of direct report(s). If you do not have any experience, please write N / A. Please be as detailed as possible. Responses such as "see resume" will be considered incomplete.

Are you a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)?

Do you have experience working with a Tier 1 Financial System?

Please provide a brief list of the Tier 1 Financial Systems you have worked with. If none, type N / A.

Do you have experience implementing a new financial system? If so, what was your role in the implementation of the new financial system? If none, type N / A.

Required Question

Salary : $133,707 - $190,932