The Position

The current vacancy for Assistant Finance Director is in the Finance Department and reports to the Finance Director. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Assistant Finance Director vacancies including in the Water or Public Works Departments during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resource Director.

Positions may be assigned to the Finance Department, Water or Public Works Department. Under general direction, the position may be responsible for the oversight and direction of several divisions including, accounting services, payroll, accounts payable, purchasing, auditing and treasury/revenue. Manages assigned departmental services and supervises and coordinates the work of staff engaged in operations related to assigned functional areas. Provides direct administrative and analytical support to the Director and assists in the overall management of the Department including budget preparation. Additionally, under general direction the position is responsible for all department financial planning activities including financial planning and analyses, financial modeling and forecasting, and bond sales timelines.

Current Vacancy:

Under direction of the Santa Cruz Finance Director, the Assistant Finance Director provides leadership and management for financial functions of the City working collaboratively with staff to effectively manage activities such as:

Lead the annual independent financial audit
Oversee creation of the Annual Comprehensive Annual Report (ACFR)
Provide supervision to Revenue, Accounts Payable, and Payroll staff
Conduct cash flow analysis and financial analysis

Ideal Candidate

The Assistant Finance Director works closely with the Finance Director, providing overall administrative direction and financial management. They will enter at a unique and exciting time as the City embarks on the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system. They will be a key player in managing the implementation including change management.

The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator with solid interpersonal skills necessary to build and maintain strong relationships both internally and externally. This is an exciting opportunity for an effective and innovative financial leader who can quickly assess and understand the needs of the Department and City. The selected candidate will have a positive presence, treats others with respect, and is open and approachable. We are looking for a financial leader who has high ethical standards, exercises good judgement, will take initiative, and will earn the trust of all stakeholders, internal and external.

The Assistant Director will work out of the Finance Department offices located at 1200 Pacific Avenue, Suite 290 in Santa Cruz. Catch some epic surf or stroll our vibrant downtown on your lunch break. Enjoy the mountains and the ocean during your time off. It’s great to work for the City of Santa Cruz!

To read more about who we are and what we do: https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/finance

Recruitment #25-054

Candidate Application and Selection Process:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

On Thursday 02/20/25 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online application process.
Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.
Week of 02/24/25: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment once all applications have been reviewed.
Week of 03/10/25: Oral examination interviews will be scheduled for top candidates the week of March 10.
Selection interviews will be conducted for finalists following the results of the oral examination.

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Typical Duties

(May include but are not limited to those duties listed below) :

Assists the Director in managing and directing department staff, operations and service levels.
Contributes to the development of department goals and objectives and policies and procedures; recommends modifications to existing polices and the establishment of new policies to the Director.
Supervises, trains, establishes and monitors employee performance objectives and evaluations of division managers; recommends the selection, promotion and performance management of division employees; encourages teamwork and collaboration.
Monitors departmental fiscal operations; administers fiscal controls and fiscal policies to ensure compliance with administrative and legal restrictions.
Analyzes and recommends strategies to improve effectiveness of operations by conducting a variety of organizational studies and operational objectives.
Conducts analysis and provides recommendations on sensitive issues including labor negotiations.
Prepares and manages the development of complex financial and management reports, including presentations to the City Manager and City Council.
Assists with development of the city budget; participates in departmental budget reviews and analysis of the Capital Investment Program.
Responsible for all Department financial planning activities including financial planning and analysis, cash flow analysis, revenue bond sales, development of rates/fees/charges
Manages debt financing programs, including long- and short-term debt financing, assures compliance with debt covenants and disclosures, coordinates required updates and presentations to debt rating agencies.
Assesses and monitors cash flow projects, cash forecast, and cash requirement needs.
Participates in the analysis and interpretation of utility billing records and customer-related data.
Oversees the preparation of periodic and annual financial statements and other reports for City management and other agencies.
Reviews financial analyses developed by consultants, departments or other agencies to verify their completeness and accuracy.
Manages large and complex projects by coordinating work with other City departments as well as other agencies or financial institutions.
Administers major projects as determined by the Director.
Acts as liaison to independent auditors.
Directs the preparation of interim and annual financial reports, and manages the financial reporting requirements of the City's Federal and State grant programs.
Provides oversight of financial systems including the maintenance and upgrade of the financial, budget, and payroll systems as required.
Creates and sustains a culture of continuous business improvement to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department’s performance.
Represents the City in meetings with local, state and federal agencies; business and community groups and members of the public regarding financial matters.
Provides support and advice to the City Manager, Human Resources and other departments on financial policy matters.
Assists the Director with long-range forecasting
May acts as Director of Finance in the Director's absence if assigned to the Finance Department.
Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination when using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision when reading and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, push and pull files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds also is required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business or public administration, economics or a related field; and
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional advanced level financial management which include two (2) years in a management capacity, and which also include two (2) years of experience in municipal finance.
Four (4) years of supervisory experience.

Knowledge:

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Government Accounting, Auditing and Financial Reporting (GAAFR) and Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), accounting standards and pronouncements.
Principles and practices of public administration.
Budget and financial analysis.
Principles and practices of financial policy development and implementation; revenue forecasting; financial control systems; methodology, laws, rules and regulations that apply to local government fiscal operations; sources of revenue and expenditures typical of a local government; investment of public funds; debt management; financial analysis; municipal budgeting (operating and capital) and long range forecasting.
Principles of supervision, leadership, training and performance evaluation.
Auditing principles and practices.
Statistical research and reporting methods.
Proficient computer skills including but not limited to Microsoft Office products and financial operating software systems and database.

Abilities:

Accurately analyze, evaluate, and summarize complex and technical financial and management records for accuracy and conformance to procedures, rules and regulations.
Develop, modify, and implement accounting procedures, policies and systems.
Effectively plan, organize, assign, and supervise work of assigned personnel.
Interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures regarding accounting and auditing practices.
Accurately analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in various software applications, including spreadsheets, databases and presentation software.
Exercise sound and independent judgment, conduct independent analysis and make recommendations on difficult and sensitive issues.
Maintain confidentiality.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Represent the Finance Department to outside agencies and organizations; participate in community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
Recognize occupational hazards and utilize standard safety procedures.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Licenses and Certificates

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C drivers’ license.

Desirable Qualifications

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Experience with municipal utility services.

Career Ladder

Career Ladder

Finance Director
Assistant Finance Director
Finance Manager
Sr. Accountant
Accountant I/II
Accounting Services Supervisor
Accounting Technician
Accounting Assistant II

City of Santa Cruz

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Assistant Director of Finance