Director of Finance

Encina Wastewater Authority•Encina Water Pollution Control Facility, CA

16d•Onsite

About The Position

Under policy direction, from the General Manager and general direction of the Assistant General Manager, plans, organizes, controls, directs, integrates and evaluates the operations and activities of the Finance Department; provides professional, confidential, complex, and high-level supervision and coordination of Encina’s financial programs and assistance to the General Manager; plans, manages, organizes, and directs the implementation of financial strategies, financial affairs, financial planning, budgeting, accounting, cash management, procurement, inventory control and contracting; provides tactical support and consultation to other departments, Encina’s management team, and the Board of Directors on a broad range of issues; ensures financial operations and functions comply with applicable laws and regulations; serves as an executive member of Encina; and performs related duties as assigned. Provides direct and indirect supervision to Finance Department staff.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, public or business administration, engineering, or a related field from an accredited four-year college or university.
Eight years of increasingly responsible related experience, including three years in a supervisory or management capacity.
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's license and ability to be insured under Encina’s automobile coverage or the ability to travel to other locations.
KNOWLEDGE OF: Wastewater resource and project planning, financial accounting auditing, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, contract administration, and inventory control principles.
Joint Power Authority’s public administration policies, practices, procedures, laws, and ordinances.
Advanced governmental accounting theory, practices and financial statement preparation, as well as state and federal grants management and fund management.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) accounting and financial reporting standards and their application, disclosure, and reporting in a public agency setting.
Budgeting, internal control and audit principles and practices.
Principles, practices, laws and regulations governing the investment and management of public funds.
Federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to the financial administration of a public agency.
Principles and practices of public administration, including long-range planning, contracting, purchasing and maintaining public records.
Principles and practices of internal consulting, customer service, training, facilitation and conflict resolution.
Principles and practices of labor management relations, including negotiation techniques and the development of employer related policies and practices.
Principles and practices of effective management and supervision with an organization-wide perspective.
Principles and practices of organization, leadership, and culture change.
Principles and practices of sound business communication.
ABILITY TO: Plan and direct the highly varied and complex functions of the Finance Department including financial and budgetary management, financial reporting and compliance, contract administration, procurement and inventory management.
Analyze short- and long-term financing requirements and develop financing priorities and strategies.
Evaluate investment vehicles and strategies and make sound, prudent investment decisions that maximize financial return while safeguarding Encina’s assets.
Understand, interpret, explain and apply Encina, state and federal policy, laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to areas of responsibility.
Work collaboratively with Encina’s management, staff, the Board of Directors, Board subcommittees and Member Agency Managers and provide expert advice and counsel to develop solutions to complex issues.
Define issues, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and develop sound, independent conclusions and recommendations in accordance with financial best practices and applicable laws, regulations, rules and policies.
Communicate effectively, make presentations and represent Encina in negotiations and dealings with a variety of stakeholders.
Conduct research, interpret data and present reports, proposals and recommendations clearly, logically and persuasively to diverse audiences.
Select, motivate and evaluate managers and staff and provide for their training and professional development.
Organize, set priorities and exercise expert, independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
Develop and implement appropriate procedures and internal controls.
Operate a computer, standard business software and applications, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as Tyler Munis and other specialized financial software, systems, and tools.
Use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations and concerned people.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree is desirable.
Possession of a current Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is desired but not required.

Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of the Finance Department through executive practices that reflect Encina’s vision and values; develops, implements, and monitors tactical plan objectives that support the organization’s Strategic Plan and Mission; provides day-to-day leadership to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment that supports and promotes Encina’s mission, vision, and values.
Plans, organizes, and directs Encina’s financial programs and activities including general accounting, budget management, financial information processing and reporting, billing, cash management, inventory management, pension plan management, Other Post Employment Plan and trust-fund management, grant administration, and contract administration.
Establishes Finance Department goals and evaluates the effectiveness of work processes, systems, and procedures; works with the General Manager, Assistant General Manager, and staff to establish Encina’s annual tactical goals, objectives, service needs, and potential solutions to issues.
Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates department staff; establishes and monitors performance standards and performance development targets; actively engages in succession management to include leading the department’s workforce planning efforts and encouraging related staff development through appropriate development activities; implements personnel policies and procedures in accordance with Encina’s Human Resources Policy Manual.
Plans, organizes, and directs Encina’s budget preparation and administration including the forecast of anticipated revenues and expenses, assimilation and analysis of departmental expenditure requests, preparation of long-term projections, and budget presentation preparation and approach; presents budget to Encina’s Executive Team, committees, and the Board of Directors; conducts complex cost and member-agency capacity analyses of ownership and allocation issues for budget preparation.
Oversees the disbursement of all monies and controls all expenditures to ensure budget appropriations are not exceeded.
Plans, directs and oversees accounting functions according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) set forth by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and standards issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB); prepares and supervises the preparation of reports to various county, state and federal agencies as required; oversees Encina’s annual audit process; manages the year-end closing process to meet critical deadlines regarding annual disclosure requirements; ensures compliance with Encina’s federal and state grant funding requirements, grant payments, grant reporting and grant audit compliance.
Plans, organizes and directs the production of all external financial reporting requirements, including quarterly and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR); prepares and supervises the preparation of reports to the State Controller.
Plans, organizes, directs, and develops Encina’s accounting information system, related internal control permissions, processing workflow structure, and system maintenance.
Continuously monitors and evaluates Encina’s financial position and seeks opportunities to enhance and strengthen its position by proposing strategies and restructuring programs to improve revenue including billing rates, rate structure, and billing practices; reduces operating expenses and optimizes reporting and processing practices.
Analyzes, develops, and reviews reports of findings, alternatives, and recommendations involving a broad range of revenue, financing, and financial management issues; monitors developments related to finance and funding matters and evaluates their impact on Encina operations and financial programs; recommends policy and procedural improvements.
Prepares and presents financial reports, both orally and in writing, to Encina’s management group, the Board of Directors, Board subcommittees and Member Agency Managers.
Consults with and provides technical support to other department managers and staff on financial operational, organizational, and administrative issues; participates in the development of annual work plans, long-range planning objectives, feasibility studies, master plans and other technical studies, agenda materials/strategies, operational policies, and procedures.
Coordinates interdepartmental projects, implementation of policy and changes in service levels and delivery systems; provides consultative direction to managers on organizational matters and/or operational effectiveness.
Represents and promotes Encina’s positions at local, state, and federal forums.
Ensures confidentiality of personnel information.
Performs other duties as assigned.