The City of DuPont is seeking a collaborative and forward- thinking Finance Director to lead financial operations and support the City’s long-term fiscal health. This role is ideal for someone who brings strong technical expertise in budgeting, financial planning, and forecasting, along with a practical, hands-on approach in a small city environment.
The Finance Director serves as a key partner to the City Administrator, Mayor, City Council, and the City’s Leadership Team. This position plays a central role in developing the City’s budget, advancing long-range financial planning and forecasting, and supporting informed decision-making across the City. The City is continuing its transition to a budget model aligned with Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practices, and this role will help lead and shape that effort.
We are looking for someone who is a strong communicator, a thoughtful problem-solver, and a supportive team member. The ideal candidate is someone who values collaboration, takes pride in being a good steward of public resources, and is comfortable balancing strategic leadership with day-to-day involvement in finance operations.
The City of DuPont is committed to promoting work-life balance and supporting employee well-being through flexible and alternative work schedules, along with generous time-off benefits. These include 168 vacation hours (front-loaded each January), 7 floating holidays, and 12 paid holidays annually.
The City offers exceptional health benefits featuring 100% covered family medical insurance with employees contributing only $50 per month, fully covered vision insurance, and affordable dental premiums ranging from $2.30 to $69.10 per month based on plan selection. Retirement benefits include participation in WA State Department of Retirement System (PERS), and a City contribution of $100 per month to one of three Deferred Compensation 457(b) plans.
GENERAL PURPOSEProvide strategic leadership and direction for the Finance Department. Lead long-range financial planning and forecasting to support decision making by the City Administrator, Mayor, and City Council. Support the City’s adopted goals and priorities through sound financial analysis and stewardship of public resources. Work collaboratively with department directors and staff across the City on budget development, financial planning, and management of City finances.
Serve in a hands-on working director capacity by participating in and overseeing day-to-day financial operations. Under the general guidance of the City Administrator, oversee the planning, management, and stewardship of City funds, including budgeting, accounting, treasury, and utility billing functions.
Lead the development and implementation of the City’s budget in alignment with Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practices, including performance-based budgeting, long-range financial planning, and transparent financial communication. Uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability in the stewardship of public funds.
Serve as part of the City’s leadership team, supporting sound fiscal policy and decision-making. Supervise, evaluate, and continually improve the performance of assigned personnel.
SUPERVISION RECEIVEDWorks under the direction of the City Administrator. The position requires a high degree of independent judgment, initiative, and discretion. Work is subject to review through reports made publicly available, and periodic audits by the State Auditor’s Office as well as review of goals and performance measures through discussion and performance reviews with the City Administrator and Mayor.
SUPERVISION EXERCISEDResponsible for the supervision of Finance Department staff, who perform finance and accounting functions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES• Assignments include, but are not limited to:
• Planning, directing, organizing, and evaluating the activities of the Finance Department, including the City’s finance, accounting, payroll, treasury and debt management, utility billing and collection, purchasing, licensing and taxation, revenue functions, and fixed asset control.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive system of internal controls to ensure the integrity, accuracy, and transparency of financial operations and reporting.
• Provide strategic financial guidance and recommendations to the City Administrator, management team and City Council to support informed decision-making.
• Promote long term financial stability for the City through support to the City Administrator, Mayor, and City Council. Analyze trends and recommend strategic direction and policies to support the City’s adopted financial policies and strategic priorities. Prepare reports and studies for the City Administrator, Mayor, and City Council. Present complex financial and budget information in a clear, transparent, and easily understood manner consistent with GFOA communication best practices.
• Analyze and maintain City reserves and cash balances. Ensure the City’s resources are legally, prudently, and actively invested and accounted for.
• Under the direction of the City Administrator, develop and prepare the City-wide operating and capital budgets in alignment with GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award criteria and best practices. Lead the City’s transition to and ongoing implementation of a GFOA-aligned budget document, including performance measures and outcome-based budgeting, long-range financial planning and forecasting, enhanced fund structure transparency, clear and reader-friendly budget narratives and communication tools
• Develop and maintain multi-year financial forecasting models, including revenue projections, expenditure trends, and scenario analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• Perform necessary analysis to project revenues to meet budgeting and long-range capital improvement planning needs of the City in accordance with legislative resource allocation and State laws.
• Administer City indebtedness and act as the City’s liaison with external financial institutions, rating agencies, and underwriters. Prepare and present financial and economic data in support of debt issuance. Monitor and recommend debt restructuring when appropriate.
• Oversee and coordinate the City’s cash management functions including collecting, depositing, investing and disbursing public funds. Ensure adequate cash flow to meet the City payroll, accounts payable, and debt payments.
• Responsible for City bond issuance; prepare official statements and coordinate issuance with underwriters, rating agencies and bond counsel.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure proper recording of financial transactions in compliance with City, State, and Federal reporting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards.
• Ensure appropriate internal controls, data security, and cybersecurity practices are in place to safeguard financial systems and sensitive information.
• Oversee department operations, including policies, procedures, and management systems related to performance measurement, internal controls, purchasing processes, and customer service standards.
• Ensure compliance with applicable procurement laws, regulations, and City policies.
• Direct the development and maintenance of public financial services, including local improvement districts and administration of tax and licensing systems.
• Manage Federal and State grant accounting and tracking Develop policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state grant requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), where applicable.
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; participate in recruitment and selection, termination, and disciplinary actions; plan, coordinate, and support employee training and development.
• Represent the Finance Department to other City departments, elected officials, outside agencies, and the public. Explain, negotiate, and resolve sensitive and significant financial issues.
• Provide assistance to the State Auditors to ensure successful audit outcomes. Respond to audit recommendations and implement changes as appropriate.
• Perform other assigned tasks as directed by the City Administrator and Mayor.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES• Attend Council Meetings, and other position- related meetings as assigned and needed.
• Participate on and/or assist the City’s labor negotiating team.
• Attend professional development workshops and conferences.
• Serve on committees that may benefit the City’s interests as assigned and needed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEDUCATION & EXPERIENCE• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or closely related field; AND
• Four years of progressively responsible professional accounting or financial management work experience, including supervisory and/or management responsibility. Work experience in a municipal environment is strongly preferred.
• Any combination of related education and experience or training that in the opinion of the City would provide the level of knowledge, skills and abilities required.
• A master’s degree and/or CPA certification desired.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of effective management, including supervision, motivation, problem solving, decision making, leadership, human relations, and diplomacy.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated skill in municipal finance. Advanced knowledge of governmental financial management and budgeting principles and strategies. Knowledge of governmental fund accounting principles. Comprehensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and governmental accounting standards (GASB), and their application in a municipal environment.
• Knowledge of GFOA budgeting best practices, including performance-based budgeting, strategic planning integration, and long-term financial forecasting.
• Advanced skill in financial modeling, forecasting, and scenario analysis.
• Ability to develop clear, visually effective, and reader-friendly budget documents for public and elected official audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information, both verbally and in writing to the City Administrator, Mayor, City Council, media, and the public in a non-technical manner that facilitates understanding and decision-making. Skilled presenter to groups in a variety of settings, including the City council and community groups.
• Ability to direct and participate in large, complex processes involving all City departments. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within the City and with external agencies and partners. Skill in facilitating internal and external groups.
• Ability to plan, direct, and control the operations and functions assigned to the Finance Department. Knowledge of operations management techniques, processes or principles for the key operations of the department including cash management, treasury functions, and audit processes.
• Proficiency in the use of automated systems, including word processing, spreadsheet software, and financial systems software.
• Ability to attract, retain, and motivate a competent and professional staff.
• Ability to remain flexible to changing priorities and effectively manage multiple projects, deadlines, and interruptions.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer service within the department and across the City.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards governing municipal finance, accounting, and financial reporting.
• Ability to conduct research and apply analytical and statistical methods to evaluate financial data, trends, and operational performance.
• Skill in preparing comprehensive financial reports, including budget documents, financial statements, and supporting analyses.
SELECTION GUIDELINE Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference checks are required. Job related tests may be required. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description and or announcement does not constitute an expressed or implied employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
Persons needing assistance in the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 253-912-5388 or duponthr@dupontwa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The City of DuPont supports workplace diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran's status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
Disability: in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability will be considered only in the context of an applicant's ability to perform essential functions of the job and to determine reasonable accommodation. Accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment will be made upon request with reasonable notice.
Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information. The physical demands described in this job announcement 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 the essential functions.
Drug-Free Workplace: The City of DuPont is a drug-free, tobacco-free workplace.
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment of persons hired by the City will be contingent upon presentation of acceptable documents verifying identity and authorization of employment in the United States. Applicants who are offered employment must provide acceptable documents verifying identity and work authorization within three business days of the hire date.
Employment with the City is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or the City at any time, with or without cause, subject to applicable laws and any governing employment agreements.
