DEPUTY DIRECTOR WATER and SEWER - CFO

Dorchester County•Sc, SC

About The Position

The Deputy Director provides strategic financial leadership for the Water & Sewer Department and oversees fiscal operations, long-term financial planning, budgeting, treasury functions, rate development, and regulatory financial compliance. The role supports the department’s financial health and the reliable, sustainable delivery of water and sewer services. The Deputy works with the Director, Deputy County Administrator/CFO, County Administrator, other County departments, and County Council on financial sustainability and infrastructure investment, and serves as the department’s chief financial authority and principal financial advisor to the Water and Sewer Director. The role also provides leadership across Financial Services, Purchasing, Customer Service, Utility Billing, Warehouse Operations, and Dispatch; supervises assigned staff; and assists the Director with department operations and administration, serving as acting Director when needed. This is a full-time, safety-sensitive position, typically working 40 hours per week Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some flexibility is allowed, with availability required during core hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Availability to work weekends and holidays during emergencies is required. The position is subject to random drug testing.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related discipline.
Eight years of progressive experience in public sector finance, utilities, or infrastructure-focused organizations.
At least four years in a leadership role with supervisory responsibilities.
Demonstrated knowledge of governmental accounting standards, budgeting, and capital planning.
Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
Valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history; must be maintained.
Availability to work holidays and weekends during emergencies.
Must be available during core hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and work 40 hours each week to maintain full-time status.

Nice To Haves

CPA, CMA, or related professional certification is strongly preferred.
Extensive experience in public sector finance, utilities, or infrastructure-focused organizations.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and oversight for Financial Services, Purchasing, Customer Service, Utility Billing, Warehouse Operations, and Dispatch.
Lead long-term financial planning, forecasting, and development of operating and capital budgets; monitor revenues, expenditures, and performance metrics.
Ensure financial decisions align with departmental goals and regulatory requirements.
Oversee accounting, billing, collections, procurement, financial reporting, internal controls, audits, and financial compliance.
Direct rate studies and develop sustainable rate structures; present recommendations to leadership and governing bodies.
Lead financial planning for capital and infrastructure projects; support debt issuance, financial modeling, and coordination with rating agencies and financial advisors.
Supervise assigned staff, including work planning, performance reviews, training, discipline, and employee selection.
Collaborate with engineering, operations, environmental services, and administrative divisions to align financial strategies with departmental priorities.
Assist the Director in planning, organizing, and directing water and wastewater system operations, maintenance, construction, and administration; serve as acting Director when needed.
Assist with developing, implementing, and improving departmental policies, procedures, and ordinances.
Oversee daily procurement and finance operations and review enterprise, general, and special fund expenditures for procedural compliance.
Support budget administration, budget requests, invoice processing, grant preparation, permit applications, and monitoring capital project expenditures.
Ensure efficient, professional customer service; resolve complex customer issues and respond to inquiries, concerns, and requests.
Prepare reports and correspondence, handle document copying and filing, enter and retrieve computer data, and attend meetings as required.
Attend meetings, workshops, and conferences to maintain knowledge of legislation, trends, and technology in areas of responsibility.
Assist the Director with rates and charges for operations, maintenance, and Capital Improvement Plan funding, including debt instruments and other financial tools; monitor capital project expenditures.
Analyze complex financial information, identify financial risks, and develop recommendations for executive leadership.
Prepare and present complex financial information to executive leadership, elected officials, employees, and the public.
Perform other related job duties as assigned.