Location
Description
Under administrative direction, and reporting to the City Manager, this position has
overall responsibility for planning, organizing, directing and supervising the Finance
Department, which encompasses activities such as financial analysis, accounting,
payroll, purchasing, investment and internal audit. The incumbent manages and
coordinates the work of professional, technical and clerical staff; directs the
preparation of the biennial operating budget and capital improvement program (CIP)
and monitors and prepares reports of both spending plans; prepares financial
projections and analyses; maintains sufficient internal controls to ensure integrity of
financial operations and responsibilities; and provides a high level of administrative and
technical support to the City Manager as assigned.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is an executive management level classification and member of the City’s Senior
Management Team. The incumbent is expected to provide prudent, timely, and
thoroughly researched information, opinions and recommendations to the City Manager
and City Council on all financial, risk management and MIS matters, and has frequent
interaction with staff and leaders of other departments, the City Manager, the Mayor,
the City Council, and citizens. The incumbent works as an integral member of various
City leadership teams in helping the City achieve its objectives, including public
presentations to citizens and other interested parties.
The incumbent has a broad range of independence within policy and procedural
limitations, works under minimal supervision and is accountable to the City Manager for
the quality and efficiency of services directed. While the general parameters of the
job are defined, the incumbent is expected to select and put into effect work
procedures and practices which will lead to the effective and efficient accomplishment
of Department goals. Recommendations on the improvement of Department activities
are expected.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (illustrative only):
- Develop and implement Departmental goals and policies, staffing levels, and administrative policies for City-wide application; review and revise existing City financial and related policies and procedures as required.
- Plan, direct, coordinate and review the work plan for the Department; revise as circumstances and City Manager/Council direction dictate.
- Plan and implement the citywide budget process and related fiscal programs.
- Manage the timely and accurate presentation of budget documents and financial reports.
- Coordinate budgeting activities with other departments, serving as the primary budget authority.
- Review departmental budgetary proposals and make recommendations on staffing and resource needs and other expenditure requirements to accomplish citywide goals.
- Prepare financial projections, analyze the City’s financial status and anticipate variances in the operating budget; provide reports and updates of same to the City Manager and City Council as required.
- Conduct a variety of special studies; prepare and may present various analyses, statistical compilations, and reports to City staff, City Council, or the public.
- Oversee preparation and timely filing of tax, state/federal, and other special reports.
- Interpret and maintain compliance with pertinent budgetary, legal, procedural and specially funded program requirements.
- Manage the City’s capital financing programs, including debt issuance.
- Oversee preparation and coordination of the annual external audit; conduct internal, management and performance audits, investigations and operational studies.
- Responsible for overseeing the systems used for the proper accounting of the City’s assets and financial transactions.
- Prepare a variety of financial and budgetary statements and reports including timely financial statements, budget transfers, cost studies, cash flow analyses, and revenue/expenditure projections.
- Manage fiscal resources including cash receipts, revenues and investments, ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local requirements.
- Perform oversight of the City’s procurement procedures and systems ensuring that they are in compliance with all federal, state, and local requirements.
- Serve as a resource for labor negotiations, providing accurate and timely information on City costs, the financial impact of contract proposals, and best practices for sustainable labor costs.
- Determine that adequate documentation exists to substantiate the appropriateness and authenticity of financial transactions.
- Develop efficient practices and utilize technology to streamline procedures while ensuring adequate internal controls within the Department, and other City functions.
- Ensure safeguard of warrants and control of signature authorities.
- Develop and manage the City’s investment strategy, evaluate investment results, and report on the City’s investment portfolio, ensure that the investment of funds meet generally acceptable accounting principles, standards, and legal requirements.
- Oversee the closing of the general ledger, ensuring compliance with State accounting requirements and governmental accounting standards.
- Oversee the payroll function in coordination with the Human Resources Department, ensuring timely and accurate payment of wages and benefits, updated as required by new laws, regulations, policies or bargaining agreements.
- Manage the financial aspects of SEMS-based emergency/disaster response and recovery activities, ensuring full reimbursement of all City costs as allowed by law.
- Plan, organize, lead, supervise, train, and evaluate Department staff.
- Conduct regular Departmental meetings; emulate and foster open communications and transparent data and information; lead by example.
- Develop and implement Departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards.
- Make presentations to the Senior Management Team, City Council, various City Commissions, and other groups - community, governmental, and professional.
- Provide support and advice as necessary to the City Manager and Department Directors.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Ideal Candidate
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in
public administration, business administration, finance or related field and minimum of
five (5) years of increasing responsible management experience in a municipal or
government finance environment, including at least two (2) years at an Assistant
Department Director level in finance or accounting administration is also required.
A Master’s degree, a CPA license, and/or previous California government experience is
highly desirable.
Licenses and Certificates:
Possession of a California driver's license with a satisfactory driving record.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
- Services and activities of a comprehensive fiscal services program.
- Analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
- Modern and complex principles and practices of fiscal services program development and administration.
- Principles and techniques of governmental accounting, auditing, and budgeting.
- Program analysis and revenue forecasting.
- Computer system operations and applications for accounting, budget development, investment, payroll, and financial management.
- Generally accepted accounting principles and generally accepted auditing standards as related to municipalities; principles and practices of public finance administration, governmental accounting and auditing, budget preparation, program analyses, investing, debt financing, revenue and expenditure forecasting.
- Principles and practices of management, supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
- Laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances relating to local, state, and federal public finance and administration including those regulating the investment of public funds.
- Statistical research and reporting.
Ability to:
- Provide professional leadership and direction.
- Apply general accounting and budgeting principles.
- Manage, direct, and coordinate the work of professional, technical and clerical personnel.
- Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
- Recommend and implement goals and objective for efficiencies.
- Prepare clear and concise reports.
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions; research, analyze, and evaluate service delivery methods and techniques.
- Interpret and apply policies, procedures, laws and regulations; establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Prepare and present clear and well-organized written and oral reports to CityCouncil, City Administration, and others as required.
- Analyze, interpret, explain, and apply laws regulating City financial accounting and reporting, and investment and borrowing of funds; independently carry out complex accounting and auditing work and apply accounting principles and techniques to practical accounting, auditing, and financial situations.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Develop and implement administrative and departmental policies, procedures, and rules.
- Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and make sound, well structured recommendations.
- Prepare complex financial reports and analyses; exercise sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
- Effectively use automated information systems, including use of a personal computer and software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, financial management and open data applications.
- The City of Union City is an equal opportunity employer. The City of Union City will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Travel: Positions in this class may require local and statewide travel as necessary.
Benefits
Retirement: CalPERS enrollment in either 2%@60 (Classic Employees) or the new 2%@62 (New Employees) formula is dependent on the individual’s eligibility. The City does not participate in Social Security therefore there are no Social Security tax deductions (except 1.45% Medicare).
Medical/Dental/Vision: The City provides the employee up to $2,200 per month toward medical, dental and vision premium.
Deferred Compensation Plan: The City contributes $100/mo. into a 401(a) tax-deferred plan on behalf of the employee. A 457b Deferred Comp Plan and a ROTH IRA are also available on a voluntary basis.
Leaves: Employees shall accrue 3.08 hours of vacation leave per pay period limited to two times their maximum annual accrual rate. The City will provide the employee with 70 hours of administrative leave annually (prorated based on hire date). Employees shall accrue 3.69 hours of sick leave per pay period without limit on accumulation.
Holidays: 12 holidays and 24 floating holiday hours.
Life Insurance: Premium is paid by the City. Life insurance and AD&D is equal to $100,000 coverage each. Additional voluntary supplemental life insurance is available.
Disability Insurance: Long-term and short-term disability insurance premium based on salary. Employee contribution required.
Special Instructions
APPLICATION PROCESS:
The selection process may consist of, but limited to one or more of the following components:
- Screening for Best Qualified
- Supplemental Questionnaire
- Written Exam
- Performance Exam
- Oral Interview
Resumes may not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Applicants who are invited to continue in the selection process will be notified by e-mail. Successful candidates’ names will be placed on an employment eligibility list. The eligibility list will remain in effect for a minimum of one year from the date the list is established. Additional vacancies that occur for this classification may be hired from the list.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
The City of Union City provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, upon request. Please contact the Human Resources Department (hr@unioncity.org) if you will need reasonable accommodation for any aspect of the selection process.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The City of Union City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce.