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TO APPLY:

To be considered for this position, please upload the following required documents as attachments to your GovernmentJobs.com application:

Cover Letter (one page limit)
Resume (one page limit)
Responses to Supplemental Questions (one page limit for all questions combined. Click on this link to be directed to the required supplemental questions.)

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

JOB OBJECTIVES

To plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the Finance Department including general accounting functions, budget preparation and compliance, financial reporting, banking and investment services, purchasing, auditing, utility billing, municipal court, information systems, risk, treasury, and debt management; to coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to City management.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general administrative direction from the Assistant City Manager.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned supervisory, professional, technical and clerical staff.

The following tasks are typical for positions in this classification. Any single position may not perform all of these tasks and/or may perform similar related tasks not listed here:

Assume full management responsibility for all department services and activities including general accounting functions, budget preparation and compliance, financial reporting, banking and investment services, purchasing, auditing, utility billing, information systems, risk, treasury, debt management, municipal court and passport administration; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
Manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area.
Establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level staff, the Finance Department’s work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
Oversee City-wide financial and accounting services including accounts payable, utility billing, customer service, payroll and benefits administration; establish procedures to ensure strong fiscal controls; monitor and audit cash handling procedures in all departments; review City fees including utility rates; oversee administration of the City’s purchasing functions and act as the City’s Purchasing Manager.
Plan for and oversee administration of the City’s information systems operations including file servers, network resources, data resources, desktop systems and related hardware and software, and telephone system; oversee the provision of technical support to individual users and departments.
.Establish, implement and enhance accounting and internal control systems, policies and procedures in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; ensure City assets are accounted for and properly used.
Direct and manage the City’s investment program and portfolio; develop and monitor investment policies and procedures to comply with prudent fiscal practices.
Administer the City’s Defined Benefit for employees not covered by PERS to include directing the Plan’s investment program.
Perform debt management functions; ensure compliance with bond ordinances, bond coverage and loan agreements; ensure all principal and interest payments are made.
Assume responsibility for the City’s insurance coverage including liability, property, auto, physical damage, equipment and machinery; review and assess risk management exposure; make recommendations to mitigate liability.
Select, train, motivate and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the Finance Department and City-wide budgets; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; prepare long-term financial forecasts as needed; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
Explain, justify and defend department programs, policies and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
Represent the Finance Department to other departments, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
Provide staff assistance to the City management;participate on a variety of committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of governmental accounting, financial management, budgeting, risk management and information systems.
Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive financial management and general accounting program.

Principles, practices, methods and techniques of financial management, governmental accounting, auditing and cash management.

Generally accepted accounting principles, practices and theories.

Principles and practices of program development and administration.

Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting.

Principles and practices of treasury and debt management.

Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.

Principles and practices of risk management.

Principles and practices of information technology systems.

Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.

Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

Manage and direct comprehensive municipal finance, accounting, treasury and information system programs.

Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives and procedures.

Analyze and assess programs, policies and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.

Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns and needs.

Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of lower level staff

Delegate authority and responsibility.

Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.

Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.

Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.

Monitor and audit cash handling procedures.

Ensure adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

Establish, implement and enhance accounting and internal control systems.

Evaluate financial data and provide strategic direction on financial programs.

Perform various debt, treasury and risk management functions.

Oversee the provision of information systems technical support to users and departments.

Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.

Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.

Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in finance, accounting, business administration or a related field.

Experience:

Six years of increasingly responsible professional accounting or financial management experience including three years of management and administrative responsibility.

The physical demands herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

Environment: Incumbents work in a normal office setting with noise level typical of most office environments and exposure to computer screens. Some travel to attend meetings is required. Incumbents in this position have extensive interactions with the public, elected officials, other agencies and other employees.

Mobility: Incumbents require sufficient mobility to work in an office setting and operate office equipment; to walk, stand or sit for prolonged periods of time. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate office equipment.

Vision, Hearing and Communication: Vision sufficient to read small printed documents, computer screens and other documents. Hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person and over the telephone. Incumbents in this position are required to make presentations to small and large groups.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Submit completed City application online by the posted deadline. Appropriate documentation verifying veteran status, including DD-214 or DD-215 plus the City of Forest Grove's Veterans Preference Form, must be submitted if claiming veteran's preference. Applications will be screened through an evaluation of skills, experience and work history. Please note that the Education and Experience sections of the application must be filled out completely and truthfully. Incomplete applications may be disqualified from the selection process. Selected candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process.

A thorough background investigation, credit check and drug screen will be completed on the selected candidate due to fiduciary responsibilities. A successful criminal history check and driving record review will be required prior to a confirmation offer of employment. This is an equal employment opportunity.

City of Forest Grove

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Finance Director