FINANCE DIRECTOR

Company: City of Coachella
Location: Coachella
Posted on: April 1, 2025

Job Description:

***DISCLAIMER: The City reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received. -The finalist must pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, and background check. -
Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the Finance Department, including finance, treasury, accounting, purchasing, billing, customer service and code enforcement and compliance; directs and administers the fiscal operations and activities of the City, which include budgeting, investments, financial transaction processing, record keeping and reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, utility billing and business licensing; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the City Manager in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.
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SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Receives administrative direction from the City Manager. - The work provides for a wide variety of independent decision-making, within legal and general policy and regulatory guidelines. - Exercises general direction and supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of management and supervision.
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Class Characteristics -
This is a Department Director classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Finance Department, including short- and long-term planning, development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. -This class provides assistance to the City Manager in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. -Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, municipal functions and activities, including the role of an elected City Council, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. -Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. -The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives and for furthering City goals and objectives within general policy guidelines.
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.

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• Assumes full management responsibility for all Finance Department programs, services, and activities, including finance, treasury, accounting, purchasing, billing, business licensing, payroll and customer service activities and code enforcement/compliance. - - - -
• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; establishes, within City policy, appropriate budget, service, and staffing levels. - - - -
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department's annual budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary. - - - -
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns. - - - -
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department's service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and City needs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change. - - - -
• Coordinates the development and administration of the entire City's annual budget and Capital Improvement Program budget; provides for financial forecasting and planning; tracks the adopted budget and prepares periodic budget reviews for submission to City departments. - - - -
• Establishes the City's central budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting practices; evaluates accounting procedures and financial controls; responds to and implements audit recommendations; ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local government accounting and financial reporting standards and controls. - - - -
• Manages the City's investment portfolio; ensures that investments meet the City's policy guidelines and that adequate cash is available to meet obligations; prepares periodic reports regarding investments to the City Council. - - - -
• Oversees all activities related to the City's accounting function, including financial transaction processing, record keeping and reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, utility billing, processing and issuance of checks and warrants, cash receipts, and the electronic accounting system. - - - -
• Coordinates the issuance and administration of debt issues; coordinates with the City Manager, appropriate department, bond attorney, financial advisor, and underwriter on new or refunding issues; provides public financial information of debt. - - - -
• Oversees the licensing of businesses in accordance with City code, including the issuance of various permits. - - - -
• Oversees the daily operations of the code enforcement and compliance unit. - - - -
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and agreements and administers same after award. - - - -
• Oversees risk management; ensures compliance with applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, municipal and other codes and ordinances; provides for the training of staff in risk management practices and procedures. - - - -
• Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues. - - - -
• Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate. - - - -
• Participates in and makes presentations to the City Council and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions; performs financial review of matters pertaining to the various committees, such as determining appropriate rates of City services. - - - -
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of finance and other services as they relate to the area of assignment. - - - -
• Maintains and directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files. - - - -
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect City or departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required. - - - -
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the City Manager. - - - -
• Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations. - - - -
• Performs duties of a disaster services worker in event of an emergency. - - - -
• Performs related duties as assigned.
  Knowledge of:
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  • Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision. - - - -
  • Public agency budget development, contract administration, City-wide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area. - - - -
  • Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs; principles and practices of municipal government administration. - - - -
  • Principles and practices of governmental accounting, public finance administration and budgeting, auditing, reconciliation; municipal taxation and revenue management. - - - -
  • Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations. - - - -
  • Methods, procedures and processes used in code compliance program. - - - -
  • Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures. - - - -
  • Methods and techniques for the development of presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures. - - - -
  • Record keeping principles and procedures. - - - -
  • Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment and computer applications. - - - -
  • English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. - - - -
  • Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations. - - - -
  • Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. Ability to:
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    • Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas. - - - -
    • Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the City. - - - -
    • Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner. - - - -
    • Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations. - - - -
    • Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility. - - - -
    • Select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures. - - - -
    • Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques. - - - -
    • Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with stipulations; effectively administer a variety of finance programs and administrative activities. - - - -
    • Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the City and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations. - - - -
    • Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials. - - - -
    • Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports. - - - -
    • Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems. - - - -
    • Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. - - - -
    • Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs. - - - -
    • Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. - - - -
    • Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. - - - -
    • Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.Education and Experience:
      Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
      
      Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in finance, accounting, economics, business or public administration, or a related field and seven (7) years of management and/or administrative experience in municipal finance and accounting, including five (5) years of supervisory experience. A Masters degree in related fields is highly desirable.
      
      Licenses and Certifications:
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      • Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance. - - - -
      • Certification as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California is highly desirable.
        Physical Demands
        Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
        
        Environmental Elements
        Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
        
        
        
        Compensation details: 87.21-106 Hourly Wage
        
        
        
        PIfa0beddab509-37248-36615046

Keywords: City of Coachella, Coachella , FINANCE DIRECTOR, Accounting, Auditing , Coachella, California