Assistant Finance Director

JOIN THE CITY OF ORANGE AS THE ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR

Under administrative direction, assists in planning, organizing, managing, and providing administrative direction and oversight for major functions and activities of the Finance Department, including, but not limited to, budgeting, debt management, financial reporting, financial forecasting, payroll, accounts payable, warehouse services, and purchasing for the City. Specific areas of responsibility may vary and are assigned at the discretion of the Finance Director or duly authorized designee. Assists in coordinating assigned activities with other City departments, divisions, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments, divisions, and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; develop and mentor staff; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the Finance Director in areas of expertise; acts as the Finance Director in their absence; and performs related work as required.

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.

• Assumes management responsibility for major finance functions and activities, including, but not limited to, budgeting, debt management, financial reporting, financial forecasting, payroll, accounts payable, purchasing, and warehouse services.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned functions and programs; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Assists in managing and participates in the development and administration of the department's and the City's annual budget and capital improvement budgets; 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 evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees on performance issues; responds to staff questions and concerns; makes discipline recommendations to the Director.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with the Director; directs the implementation of improvements.
• Assists in planning, directing, and coordinating the Finance Department's work plan; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures.
• Assists in the planning, organization, preparation, implementation, and control of the City's annual operating budget; participates in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Assists in the preparation of the City's Capital Improvement Program budget, including identifying and forecasting revenues, analyzing capital requests, projecting year-end balances.
• Coordinates the design, implementation, and control of City-wide automated financial management information systems and related control and reporting procedures; coordinates various upgrade, implementation, and conversion projects; performs audits of accounting functions; conducts fiscal analyses and studies.
• Responds to requests for information and advises City departments, governmental agencies, and the public of City financial and accounting policies.
• Interfaces with City and outside attorneys on legal matters related to departmental operations.
• Serves as a liaison for the department with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; attends meetings in various locations; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces; participates in community events and workshops that provide public information regarding departmental programs, projects, and services.
• Prepares formal requests for proposals for consulting/contractor services; reviews proposals and makes selections; negotiates contracts and agreements; acts as project manager when outside consultants are working on various projects.
• Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities.
• Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies and procedures as appropriate.
• Participates on and makes presentations to a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of finance and other types of public 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.
• Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• Assists with price-out and analysis of labor/contract negotiations.
• Acts as the Finance Director in their absence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff.
• Public agency budgetary, contract administration, 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 finance program development, implementation, and management in a municipal setting.
• Methods, materials, and techniques used in the planning of finance projects.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to municipal financial operations.
• 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, and 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:

• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas.
• Assist in preparing and administering 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 supervisory, professional, and technical personnel.
• 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 that 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. A Master's degree in a related field is desirable.
• A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible and professional work experience in municipal and/or public accounting
• At least three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.

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.

Disaster Service Worker:

All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.

City Mission, Vision, and Values:

Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the City's Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors. As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community. The City's values include Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.